Service outline for March 26

ORDER OF WORSHIP
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Prelude, "My Faith Looks Up To Thee” (Lowell Mason)

Welcome and Announcements,
Acknowledgement of the Land

Gathering Song, "Show Us How To Love"

Hearts open, mind’s awake,
save us now for heaven’s sake,
Leave us not alone in hatred’s wake.
Show us how to love, show us how to love,
show us how, show us how to love.

Eyes open, shocked awake,
much to learn from our mistakes,
Draw us closer in our heartache.
Show us how to love, show us how to love,
show us how, show us how to love.

Lighting the Candles and Placing the Bible

Opening Hymn, VU #326: “O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing”
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God's grace

2. 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.

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

4. Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones,
your tongues again employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour comes,
and leap, you lame, for joy!

5. My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of your name.

Opening Prayer

Time With All Ages
Story/Song, "Jesus Raises Lazarus" (Tom Long/Allen Pote)
Drama and Song by the Kidz Choir

Song of Preparation, MV #81: "Love Us Into Fullness" (vs 1)
       Love us into fullness,
               touch us with your grace;
Jesus, in your mercy,
               draw us to your face.

Scripture Reading: John 11:1-45 (Jesus raises Lazarus)
One: Listen to what the Spirit is saying.
All:   Thanks be to God!

Sung Response, MV #81: "Love Us Into Fullness" (vs 2)
       Love us into fullness,
               love us in your care,
cheer us with your presence
               here and everywhere.

Reflection

Anthem, "I Delight Greatly in the Lord" (L. Nickel)

Centering Song: "In the Sound and in the Silence" (Nancy Nelson)

In the sound and in the silence,
may Holy Wisdom draw near.
Let us feel the power of hearts and minds
that are joined in Thanksgiving
and praising and longing
and hoping for Love to appear.

Prayers of the Community and the Lord's Prayer (Nancy Nelson)

Invitation to the Offering,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit One.

We Bless our Offerings
Holy One, together with our words and our actions,
may these gifts and offerings reveal your love for the world. Amen.

Sending Hymn, VU #494: "Those Hearts That We Have Treasured"
1. Those hearts that we have treasured,
those lives that we have shared,
those loves that walked beside us,
those friends for whom we've cared,
their blessing rests upon us,
their life is memory,
their suffering is over,
their spirits are set free.

2. They still give hope and comfort,
they did not lose the fight,
they showed us truth and goodness,
they shine into our night.
Remember days of gladness;
remember times of joy;
remember all the moments
that grief cannot destroy.

3. From hearts that we have treasured,
from lives that we have shared,
from loves that walked beside us,
from friends for whom we've cared,
we've learned to treasure kindness,
we've learned that grace provides,
we've learned to be together,
we've learned that love abides.

Sending and Closing Blessing
One: May the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ
and the courage of the Holy Spirit
encourage and strengthen you as you go.
All: Amen!

Choral Blessing
The peace of the earth be with you,
The peace of the heavens too;
The peace of the rivers be with you,
The peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace falling over you,
God’s peace growing in you.