WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: As we begin our Lenten journey, let us follow Jesus, even in the uncomfortable places.
People: Throughout our Lenten journey, let us be led by the Spirit, even in the uncomfortable choices.
Leader: On our Lenten journey, let us trust the word of the Lord, even in challenging circumstances.
People: As we continue on our path to faithfulness, let us follow Christ in untiring ministry, rejoicing in the Lord our God.
Leader: May God’s grace guide us through any wilderness we may encounter.
People: Let us find refreshment through the One who fills our cup with the water of life.
HYMN Fill My Cup, Lord Ken Heischman
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy,
And then I heard my Savior speaking,
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”
Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord.
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me ‘til I want no more,
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures, earthly things of gold
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord
Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord.
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me ‘til I want no more,
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
Here’s my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Gracious God, as we begin our Lenten journey,
we acknowledge that we want to follow Jesus,
but we confess our reluctance to face the difficulties that discipleship might hold
for us.
We are awed by the difficult and risky journey that Jesus took,
but we prefer for our journeys of faith
to be devout but not too daring,
comfortable and not too threatening.
We admire the faithfulness of Jesus,
but we realize that walking with Jesus
could take us to the cross.
Have mercy upon us, Lord, and forgive our sins through Your grace.
Fill us with the joy of Your salvation,
and during this Lenten season strengthen us to follow You wherever You choose
to take us,
for we ask it in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from Lamentations 3:22-23)
Leader: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; God’s mercies never come to an end.
People: God’s mercies are new every morning; great is God’s faithfulness.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
HYMN O How He Loves You and Me Ken Heischman
O how He loves you and me, O how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.
Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for mankind to show.
What He did there, brought hope from despair.
O how He loves you, O how He loves me,
O how He loves you and me.
SCRIPTURE 1 Peter 3:13-22
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you — not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
MEDITATION “There Is Always Hope”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO GIVE
HYMN We Come as Guests Invited Ken Heischman
We come as guests invited When Jesus bids us dine,
His friends on earth united To share the bread and wine;
The bread of life is broken, The wine is freely poured
For us, in solemn token Of Christ our dying Lord.
We eat and drink, receiving From Christ the grace we need,
And in our hearts believing On Him by faith we feed;
With wonder and thanksgiving For love that knows no end,
We find in Jesus living Our ever-present friend.
One bread is ours for sharing, One single fruitful vine,
Our fellowship declaring Renewed in bread and wine:
Renewed, sustained and given By token, sign and word,
The pledge and seal of heaven, The love of Christ our Lord.
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
BENEDICTION