"To Love Not To Condemn"
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WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOMEWOOD
MISSION STATEMENT
Through the grace of God, faith in Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we prayerfully seek to discern God’s will for this congregation and to reach beyond ourselves to feed the hungry, body and soul. Adopted by Session 7/31/17
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I offer words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.
~Henri Nouwen
PRELUDE
*CALL TO CONTINUING WORSHIP
There is so much we do not understand, so many mysteries in this life of faith. But some things are certain. We do know:
Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. God is our keeper and our shade.
Let us lift our eyes to God.
*HYMN 49 ||| The God of Abraham Praise ||| Leoni
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our help does truly come from God. This help is not just for the times when trouble befalls us, or when our lives are hard, but when we are the ones who are to blame, when we face the consequences of our own actions. Knowing that, we turn to God for help, trusting in unending grace.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Teacher, you call us to go, following the plan that you have set out for us. You promise us blessings and purpose, but we do not trust your words. We cling to what we already know, we trust in what we can see and touch, we make excuses for our failure to trust in you. Call to us again, that we may be born again through your Spirit. Help us to believe and give us the abundant life that comes from following your will.
(silent prayer)
Amen.
*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Thanks be to God. We will bear witness to God’s saving grace with our lives.
*THE GLORIA 581
MOMENT WITH OUR CHILDREN ||| Rev. Matt Lang
WELCOME AND CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING ||| Genesis 12:1-4a
1Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him.
SPECIAL MUSIC
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING ||| John 3:1-17
1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!
SERMON ||| "To Love, Not To Condemn" ||| Rev. Matt Lang
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
*HYMN 634 ||| To God Be the Glory ||| To God Be The Glory
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH ||| The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY 606 ||| Old Hundredth
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.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
We give you thanks, Holy One, for the gifts of our Lord, given with love for the world. Send us out in your Spirit to share the good news of salvation and give ourselves for others; in the name of Christ our Savior. Amen.
SEALING OF THE WORD
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
THE 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
SHARING OF THE MEAL
All who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, regardless of age or denomination, are invited to partake in the Sacrament of Communion. Please come forward down the side aisle. Take a piece of the bread and a cup and eat. Please dispose of the cups in the waste baskets by the table. We have gluten free bread available. Return to your seat by the center aisle.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Thank you, gracious God, for giving us bread for the journey of these forty days. As we travel on through the wilderness, help us to share your grace with others and draw us ever closer to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE GO IN GOD’S NAME
*HYMN 826 ||| Lift High the Cross ||| Crucifer
BLESSING & CHARGE
Put away the past. God is about to do a new thing! God makes a way where there is no way! God carves a path through the wilderness and sends angels to guard and guide us.
Having been reconciled to God, we are now agents of God’s righteousness and ambassadors for Christ. Live boldly, for Christ welcomes sinners and makes all things new.
POSTLUDE
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Rev. Matt Lang, Pastor Worship Liturgist: Sylvia Tufts
Mrs. Mary Ann Wenzelman, Interim Organist/Pianist
Usher: Laura Dillman
Web Technicians: Shirley Armistead, Nancy Beaudoin, Phil Dillman, Kathie Hazlett
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION AND CORPORATION The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation will be held today, immediately after worship and available via Zoom at 12 noon. We will review the 2022 Annual Report and financial information, present the 2023 budget, nominate and elect members for the 2023 Nominating Committee, hear a report from the Trustees, and attend to any additional business coming from Session and/or members. If you have specific questions or items for discussion please let the Clerk of Session, Doug Bonthron, know in advance so that we plan our time appropriately. Copies of the 2022 Annual Report are available on the Welcome Center for your preview.
WELCOME – During this Lenten season, we praise God for his righteous Son, who perfectly kept all of God’s commandments for us and paid the full price of our disobedience. Let us praise him with hearts filled with Christ’s spirit of obedience.
SCRIPTURES IN WORSHIP – Next Sunday we will be reading Exodus 17:1-7 and John 4:5-42.
PRAYER CHAIN – If you want prayer requests included on the prayer chain, contact Shirley Armistead at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..