Who God Is

Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason.
 
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Gathering  Around  the  Word
Prelude                                                                   Robert  Senay    ANNOUNCEMENTS  
CHORAL INTROIT                                                                                
CALL TO WORSHIP           
Leader: Let your lives witness to Christ’s love.
People: And may our words bring reconciliation.
Leader: Let your thoughts be of peace.
People: And our touch bring healing.
Leader: Let your actions count for justice,
People: And may our faith be a sign of hope.
Leader: Let our time of worship here and now be a true blessing
             for us all and restore joy and praise to our lives.
 
INVOCATION                                                             Rev. Mason

HYMN     Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley               217
 
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION        (UNISON)
  Though we run so far away, we are never lost from you. Though we take everything for granted and dismiss your grace, you never leave us or forsake us. O Lord, we confess our tendencies to wander and to forget that all good things come from you. We become so self-absorbed that we don't see you sitting right next to us, desiring to wrap your arms around us. Open our eyes to your presence. Free us from the desire to take life into our own hands. Thank you for always welcoming us home, when we choose to trust our own ways and make our own paths. We choose today to follow only you. Amen. 
 
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Yet while we are still far off, the Father sees us and is filled with compassion and welcomes us in grace. Friends, believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Amen.
 
*Time of silent prayer.
*Passing the Peace
L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: And also, with you.    
*Response – Gloria Patri 
CHILDREN’S CHAT
CHOIR ANTHEM
                                                The Word of God
 
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture reading         LUKE 15: 1-3, 11-32

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

​The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

                              L: The Word of the Lord
                            P: Thanks be to God !
Sermon                          “WHO GOD IS”  
      
                                                Responding to the Word
 
HYMN     Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy                 428
 
*Apostles Creed (found inside the back cover of the hymnal)
Presentation of our tithes and offering
Offertory                   CHOIR ANTHEM      
                                            
Doxology (Hymnal page 382)
Prayer of dedication
Concerns and Celebrations                                                              
Prayers of the People                                            Rev. Mason
The Lord’s Prayer
 
HYMN              Amazing Grace                                          107
Benediction
CHOIR Postlude                             ​

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BIRTHDAYS        Mike Durila, Keith Durila, Cody Phillips, Evelyn Wood

ANNIVERSARIES      None

JOYS AND CONCERNS -  Evelyn Wood will be 100 years old on April 3rd, pass the word and send her a card shower!  Let’s  get her 100 cards. 

Added to our prayer chain this past week was Violet Byers who was diagnosed with lung cancer.  Also please keep Betty Fisher in your prayers as she has been going through extensive scans and testing for her breathing problems.            
 
Prayers for our soldiers that have been deployed to help overseas and pray for the Ukraine people. 

SYMPATHY        Family of Jamie Lee Kearns
            Family of Zona White

Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks,  June and Keith McGill, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Nellie and Frank Baker, Tom Westfall, Mary Ann Durila, Elaine Belcascro,  Sandy Stone, Diane Bednarski, Matt Petrola, Laura Davis, Nancy Hepinger, Betsy Martin, Ed Horne, Sarah Wilson, Robin Durila, Bill Poland, Amy Ward, the Warlow Family, Pat Haggerty, Nancy Youmans, Ina Henderson, Jean Westfall, Don Cunningham and Carl.
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Remember our Food Collection.  - And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”  Mark 6: 37.  Please let Betty Fisher know if you are aware of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time.

You have until Sunday April 10th to order your Easter Flowers.  Order forms are on the table in the back of the sanctuary.  

We will be participating in the “One Great Hour of Sharing” during this Lenten Season as we always have.  Envelopes are in the pews for your convenience in giving to this much needed program.