Apology No. 4 – I Will Try Not to Do That Again

March 19, 2023
Pastor Jacob Lee
Worship

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Service of Worship

Sarabande (Suite XI, HWV 437)
G.F. Handel
Public Domain

Leader: Welcome pilgrims on the way to the cross.
People: We are learning to follow Jesus.
Leader: On this Lenten journey, where do we find God’s presence among us?
People: One thing we know: God calls us to witness extraordinary love in ordinary moments.
Leader: On this Lenten journey, how does God’s presence work among us?
People: One thing we know: God uses the messy and mundane to heal and restore us to one another.
Leader: On this Lenten journey, what does God’s presence do in our midst?
People: One thing we know: God opens us to recognize presence, sustenance, and abundance where the world perceives isolation and lack.
Leader: Pilgrims on the way, come let us worship God!
People: We come to worship God as we learn to live inside out! Amen.

(Dr. Lisa Hancock, Director of Worship Arts)

Prayer of Confession
People: O God of miracles and mighty deeds, we acknowledge your healing and comforting presence in our lives. We confess that we have been drawn in by materialism and driven by consumerism. Open our hearts to a new way of being. Send your anointing and grant us fresh insight for spiritual breakthroughs. Shine the light of your truth into our relationships and grant us victory over every secret and shame. We thank you in advance for healings and renewals in our lives. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

(Junius Dotson, The Africana Worship Book, Year A)

Opening Hymn — #57 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (v. 1-5, 7)

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

2. My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.

3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life, and health, and peace.

4. He breaks the power of canceled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.

5. He speaks, and listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.

7. In Christ, your head, you then shall know,
shall feel your sins forgiven;
anticipate your heaven below,
and own that love is heaven.

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Carl Gotthelf Glaser | Charles Wesley
Public Domain

Children’s Praise – Rejoice Singers

O How I Love Jesus
Frederick Whitfield
Public Domain

Pastor’s Time With the Children – Rev. Jacob Lee

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory – Jonathan

All Things Bright and Beautiful
Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander
Public Domain

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Generous God, you tenderly care for each person you have created. You miraculously restore people to health and shine light into the lives of those who are discouraged. Guide us so that we will not regard others according to outward appearances but seek to find your love in their hearts. We dedicate our offerings and ourselves to contribute to the work of your kingdom on earth until Christ returns in glory. Amen.

(1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Scripture Reading — Matthew 5:27-30 (NRSV)

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

Response
The Word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Anthem — Chancel Choir

Sermon — Rev. Jacob Lee
“Apology No. 4 – I Will Try Not to Do That Again”
(Based on The Five Languages of Apology)

Closing Hymn — #128 “He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought” (v. 1-3)

1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
still’ tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain
He leadeth me, he leadeth me,
by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me.

2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
by waters still, o’er troubled sea,
still ’tis his hand that leadeth me.

Refrain

3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine,
nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see,
since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

Refrain

He Leadeth Me
Joseph Henry Gilmore | William Batchelder Bradbury
Public Domain

Benediction

Postlude – Hani

Martial Air
Henry Purcell
Public Domain