MARCH 29, 2020 Worship Service — please join in this home worship service!

 Fifth Sunday in Lent                                   March 29, 2020

 Home Worship Service

General suggestions:  *The order of service below is meant to help all of us be joined together this morning to worship the Lord even as we remain at home.

*Be prepared to have your Bible at hand and a hymnal, if possible.  You may also go online for hymn sources at www.hymnary.org/hymnal/UMH  (Links to YouTube lyrics and music are included in this post and links to Scriptures are also included.)

*To begin, light a candle at the start of worship. It is a symbol of Holy Presence in your midst.

Gathering:   You may wish to play a song or hymn on an instrument, listen to a CD or YouTube or, spend a moment in silence

Call to Worship: Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

                                    Those who believe in Christ, though they die, will live.

                                    Everyone who lives and believes in Christ will never die.

                                    We believe in the Messiah, the Son of God.

                                    Christ has come into our world

                                    We worship the living Christ, who is the resurrection and the life. Amen.

*Opening Hymn  328 UMH  “Surely the Presence of the Lord”

Prayer for Illumination   Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to love you more as you illuminate your holy word; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Old Testament Lesson:  Ezekiel 37:1-14

New Testament:  Romans 8:6-11

*Hymn of Preparation   526 UMH  “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

*Gospel Lesson:   John 11:1-45

Reflection

*Affirmation of Faith  883 UMH  “We are not alone, we live in God’s world. 

                                                                           to reconcile and make new,
                                                                           who works in us and others       

                                                                            Thanks be to God.
 
*Sung Response 102 UMH “Now Thank We All Our God” (stanza 2 only)

2. O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next

.Prayers of the People   Please add your own personal prayers before saying the Lord’s Prayer.   Then you may wish to add this prayer during this time of coronavirus

“God of Mercy, be with the tens of thousands of people who have contracted the coronavirus around the world. Comfort those whose loved ones have died. Bring peace to those living with uncertainty after perhaps being exposed to the virus. Give patience to those who are quarantined and unable to move freely in their communities.
Wise and Faithful Guide, watch over and protect other people from catching this deadly virus. Strengthen those who are risking their own lives to care for sick patients.
May we all be filled with compassion for those who are suffering. Amen.”

Continuing in an attitude of prayer, please pray the following prayer of confession.

Prayer of Confession:   “God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth.  Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. ”

Silent Prayer
“Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.”

Offering Our Gifts

Prayer of Thanksgiving   “Loving God, source of all blessing, we give you thanks for calling us into this time of worship as your family. Strengthen us to be a blessing to one another and a blessing to all the world, glorifying you in all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 *Closing Hymn   374 UMH  “Standing on the Promises” 

*Blessing: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

Rev. Mark Gorman, Lead Pastor (443-458-2092) Rev. Jane Ayers (410-800-8672), Associate Pastor