Fourth Sunday in Lent 2022

Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story

Of the Christ who died for me–

Sing it with the saints in glory,

Gathered by the crystal sea.

I was lost, but Jesus found me–

Found the sheep that went astray

Threw His loving arms around me,

Drew me back into His way.

We celebrate the God of infinite power and love, who has called us into community. We gather with God’s people of every age and place who have, by faith, found their true citizenship in heaven.

We journey together with hope, knowing that God who has fulfilled every promise in the coming of Jesus Christ will fulfill the promises of kingdom life for us and for all God’s children. Thanks be to God for the faith that makes our life in Christ complete and promises life everlasting to all who believe.

So we are now ambassadors for Christ. God is making God’s appeal to all humankind through us – in all that we say, think and do. Praise be to God who has placed God’s trust in us. We will strive to serve God faithfully. Amen.

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.

Being justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and by Him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, giving thanks to His name.

God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. We give you thanks for granting the penitent sinner justification through your own sacrifice. Your promise is to deliver us from the control of darkness and transfer us into the Kingdom of Light.

Thank you, God, for the gift of freedom which no one could purchase! Jesus paid the price for us and we are very grateful. Hallelujah!
O Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, Grant us sustained peace.

Prayer of Confession

Holy, holy Lord God Almighty, you have enabled us to gather in your name. We are awed by your power and majesty and touched by your love revealed to us in your Son Jesus Christ.

Today, we remember with devotion, his preparation towards his last journey to Jerusalem to complete his work as our Messiah; to suffer, die, and rise again. Our spirits are humbled by his obedience to your perfect will.
O Father, we confess with shame our slowness to learn from the example of our Lord. Look mercifully upon us, we pray, as we acknowledge and confess our sins:
Father, we confess that we have sinned against you, yet we know that you love us still. In your steadfast love, forgive our feeble worship which we offer to you. Pardon our paltry praise, extend your mercy to us in our failure to be genuine in our fellowship with one another and absolve our tendency to neglect attending to the needs of those who are the least among us.
Reclaim us as your own for we truly repent of our sins as we resolve to follow in our Lord’s footsteps. We embrace our Father’s promise to us, a new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. AMEN
Gracious God, we thank you for the assurance that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As we are bombarded daily by temptations of the body, mind and spirit, may we see ourselves as overcomers because of the power of your Holy Word, which we have hidden in our hearts, so that we may not sin against you. Empowering Holy Spirit, the source of all that is good and true in this life. Give us the courage to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus Christ our Lord.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me!

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me!

Watchword for the Week

If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Watchword for Today

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker.
Proverbs 14:31

Doctrinal Text

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”
Matthew 25:40

Prayer for Today

Jesus, dear and closest brother to all who struggle, help us get over our attitude of entitlement and fragile sense of superiority. Forgive us the insults and injuries we inflict on you by failing to love and honor our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen

Congregation Watchword for the Year

Serve God with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind

1 Chronicles 28:9