The FIFTH SUNDAY in LENT April 7, 2019 9:00 am Worship The Raising of Lazarus Locust Valley First Church of God Established 1852 We welcome you in the love of Christ to worship this day. May those who are weary or sorrowful find comfort; the unhappy and troubled find joy and peace; and may we all be inspired by God s presence in this holy place. This bulletin contains today s order of service, hymns, and scripture lessons. Restrooms are located at the rear of the church next to the parking lot. All are welcome here!
We Gather to Worship The organ prelude accompanies the lighting of the altar candles and the pealing of the church bell, calling everyone to gather for worship. Call to Worship Spoken Responsively Psalm 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev. Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. The Prayer of the Day Prayed in Unison Almighty God, Redeemer of all, heed the cry of your people; deliver us from the bondage of sin, that we may serve you in perfect freedom and rejoice in your unfailing love; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. *Hymn Beneath the Cross of Jesus [p. 320] *The Peace We greet one another in the Peace of Christ Lenten Meditation: Missionary Minute: Jody Brumage Vickie Frederick
The Confession and Prayers of the People The congregation may offer their praises or petitions to be remembered in this time of prayer, which we begin with the Confession, prayed in unison: Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen. Announcements of the Church Offertory / *Sung Response The Doxology [p. 815] Hymn of the Day What Wondrous Love is This? [p. 314] Scripture Lesson: John 1: 1-14 Sermon: The Living God The Living Jesus Pastoral Prayer *Sending Hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross [p. 324] *The Benediction We Depart to Love and Serve The chimes repeat the last hymn as the acolyte extinguishes the altar candles, followed by the postlude. *Please stand as you able.
Scripture Lesson and Sermon Outline The Gospel according to John 1: 1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father s only son, full of grace and truth. Jesus w _ in life with us. Jesus e human emotions. Jesus a _ his body limitations. Jesus was God in the f. Jesus s _ all humanity by his physical death. The Living Jesus was the living God s way of sharing himself to redeem sinful humanity!
This Week s Announcements: Lenten Collection During the season of Lent, we are collecting donations to support the Cumberland Valley Missionary Project, which will distribute the funds equally to Churches of God Multiplication (formerly Plant-a-Church), the Missionary Training Institute, and our mission work in Kenya. Donation boxes are due by April 21, 2019. Holy Week and Easter Worship Next Sunday begins Holy Week, the conclusion to the Lenten season and the start of Easter. We will be gathering to mark the events of this week in worship on the following days and times: Passion / Palm Sunday: April 14 @ 9:00 am Good Friday: April 19 @ 7:00 pm Easter Sunday: April 21 @ 7:30 am & 9:00 am *Light breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall between the services. Locust Valley First Church of God Welcoming everyone into the family of Christ, worshiping in spirit and in truth, and working to serve one another in God s Gospel message of unconditional love. Pastor Richard Frederick (717) 414-6583 rafvdf@gmail.com Learn more about Locust Valley Church www.locustvalleyfcog.org Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright 2015 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. We care about the God s creation, so if you do not wish to keep this bulletin, please dispose of it in the recycling bin provided in the vestibule.