Third Sunday in Lent
March 22, 2020, 10:30 am
Prelude Prelude by Reinhold Glière
Welcome
Prepare . . .
Silence
Trinity Chime
Call to Worship
We gather again among the electrons to worship. But it’s so different! We can’t even see each other! Quarantine does that. It affects every aspect of our lives, even what we can see with our eyes. What about other ways of seeing? Hmm…say a little more. Maybe not being able to see like we usually see will help us to see in other ways. Now, that is an interesting idea. Perhaps we can open ourselves to many ways of seeing as we join together for worship. What do you say? Come, let us worship together! And so, we shall.
Hymn of Praise1 Be Now My Vision SLANE
Be now my vision, O God of my heart. Nothing surpasses the love you impart– You might best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, your presence my light.
Be now my wisdom, and be my true word; Ever within in me, my soul is assured; Mother and Father, you are both to me, Now and forever your child I will be.
Riches I heed not, nor life’s empty praise, You, my inheritance, now and always. You and you only are first in my heart, Great God, my treasure, may we never part.
Sovereign of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Prayer of Confession
Silent Confession
Assurance of Grace2
One fact remains that does not change, God has loved you, loves you now, and will always love you. This is the good news that brings us new life. Thanks be to God!
Anthem Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth arr., Ferguson
sung by Marika Straw, In honor of Mary Cowal (Feel free to sing along!)
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn for every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
from the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Listen . . .
Gospel Lesson JOHN 9:1-41
If you respond to these words, then for you they have become the word of the still-speaking God. Thanks be to God!
Sermon Believing is Seeing Rev. Dr. Kimberleigh Buchanan
Respond . . .
Silence
Joys and Concerns
This is my prayer to God. Your prayer is now our prayer.
Prayers of the People
God in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Mother and Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kindom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering: A Note from Our Treasurer
Dear Congregants of FCUCC,
We ask that during this time of physical distancing and suspension of on-site church activities that you NOT forget to continue your faithful financial support of our church. The operating costs of our facility and the staff salaries need your continued support. Your gifts can be given in any of the following ways:
- Mail checks to: FCUCC, PO Box 3211, Asheville, NC 28802
- Go to the church website: uccasheville.org
Scroll to the bottom of the home page where there is a yellow DONATE button. Press that button to go to a page where payments can be made using PayPal or a credit card
- If you have not elected to start automatic withdrawals from your checking account for regular giving we would be happy to provide the form needed to get that started.
For further information concerning finances please contact Joanne Roudebush, Treasurer at 785-221-0390 or jroudebush5@gmail.com.
Offertory Sweet Hour of Prayer by Bradbury, arr. Johnston Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Christ all creatures here below
Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter
One God, Triune, whom we adore.
Prayer of Dedication (by Phil Adams)
Empowering and equipping God, the scriptures teach us that even the most unlikely and ill-prepared can be chosen by you for greatness in service. We offer these gifts to you as a recommitment of ourselves to carry on in the work of your kindom, offering your love and light to all people. As the cold gray days of winter give way to the promise of newness in the light and warmth of spring, let us embody that renewal in our lives. May our spirits grow and turn toward your light as our eyes are opened to how it is that you would have us serve. Amen.
Closing Hymn4 Amazing Grace NEW BRITAIN
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers; toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures; God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
Benediction
Postlude Invention in B-flat Major by J. S. Bach
- Copyright ©1927, Oxford University Press. Tune SLANE, Lyrics: Eleanor H. Hull 1912. All Rights Reserved.
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- Copyright 2020 Justice Local Church Ministries, Faith INFO Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Permission granted reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. Allpublishing rights reserved.
- Phil Adams
- Tune: Amazing Grace, Columbia Harmony, Cincinnati 1929, Arr. Edwin O. Excell, 1900. All Rights Reserved.
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OUR MISSION
We believe God calls us to:
Embody a forward-thinking, courageous, and diverse Christian community.
Follow the ways of Jesus the Christ as a grace-filled, spiritual congregation. Practice affirming and radical hospitality. Engage our local and global community with acts of love, mercy, peace, and justice.
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