March 22, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The Fourth Sunday in Lent

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love
to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)

THE PRELUDE Wondrous Love arr. Johnson

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP John O’Meara
based on Psalm 107 verses 1-3, 17-22, John 3:16

Liturgist: We have gathered here today to praise God with thanksgiving, for God is good:
People: Those who live in this state of Wisconsin – old and new - let all praise God with thanksgiving, for God is good:
Liturgist: Let all who seek deliverance from pain and distress cry out to God who heals and creates wholeness.
People: For God's love for the world was so great that the world was graced with the gift of Jesus, God's only Son, “so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life."
ALL: We praise God with thanksgiving for the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ - the eternal evidence of God's goodness and steadfast love. God is good. God's steadfast love endures forever!

*HYMN 60 When Morning Gilds the Skies (verses 1, 3, 5, 6)

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Steadfast God, you reach out to us in mercy even when we rebel against your holy call and prefer to walk in disobedience rather than in the way of your divine truth. Soften our hearts with the warmth of your love, that we may know your Son alive within us, redeeming us and raising us up into your presence. We ask this in the Name of Him who taught us to pray:

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.

*ASCRIPTION OF GLORY Teach Me, O Lord, the Way of Thy Statutes

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, And I shall keep it unto the end.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Numbers 21:4-9 Rev. Robert J. Brink Bible, page 138 Children’s Bible, page 210

THE CHILDREN IN WORSHIP You Raise Me Up arr. Fettke
Junior Choir, directed by Roxanne Trump-Miles

*HYMN 283 Now Thank We All Our God

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 2:1-10 Bible, page 1064 Children’s Bible, page 1663

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 3:14-21 Bible, page 968 Children’s Bible, page 1515

THE SERMON “Our Response - CONVERSION” Dr. Peay

THE RESPONSE HYMN 191 What Wondrous Love Is This (verses 1, 4)

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

Liturgist: I appeal to you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1

THE ANTHEM Concord Britten

*THE HYMN OF RESPONSE We Give Thee but Thine Own

We give Thee but Thine own, what e’er the gift may be:
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

Liturgist: Let us give thanks to God!
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise!
ALL: God of generations, we give you thanks. We were once dependent on the love of others to meet our needs. Now that we are grown, we turn to see who needs our love. Receive what we have brought and bless it to be your love wherever it is needed. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

*HYMN 317 The Summons

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God Bach/Hopson

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Joseph Kolaga by his wife, Ruth,
and his family – Paul, Sue, loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, March 29 10:00 A.M.
Dr. Peay concludes our Lenten Sermon Series with: “Our Response – COMMUNION.” Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Kim Williams directs the Jubilation Ringers