An Order of Worship for the Lord’s Day
March 22, 2020
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Prelude
“Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” – performed by Michael Collings
I chose this week's prelude specifically because of the meaning of the lyrics. I hope this arrangement conveys some of the lyrics' sentiment. I look forward to meeting with you in person again soon. – Michael
Blessed be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
When we are called to part,
it gives us inner pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
Call to Worship – Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day. Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity. In all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Opening Song
“Grace Greater than Our Sin”
(Listen to a version online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je22nSpTZVQ)
Prayer of Confession
Lord God, Scripture says that if I say I have no sin, I am deceiving myself; but when I confess my sin, you are ready to forgive. And so, I come into your presence with humility and hope, naming the ways I have denied you and denied others. Please forgive me and renew my heart by the power of your Spirit, that I may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon – Psalm 103:8-12
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us!
Scripture Reading – Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Sermon
The Prayer of Jesus: Forgive us our Debts – Rev. Sam Hale
Hymn of Response
“I Then Shall Live”
(Listen to a version online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA1HtHal-vo)
Affirmation of Faith – from The Heidelberg Catechism
Question: How are you right with God?
Answer: Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments, and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart. Thanks be to God!
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, maker of heaven and earth, you are our help; we lift our eyes to you.
As we walk this Lenten journey during such a strange and disorienting time, we trust in you. You watch over our coming and our going both now and forevermore. You are our shade and our protection. You keep us from all harm.
We ask that you strengthen and guide us as we do your work in your world. Convict us of our disobedience, enable us to forgive others as we have been forgiven, and equip us to obey your call in our lives. Open our ears to the cry of the sick and the poor. Teach us to seek and to do justice, to stay in the path of understanding, to pursue righteousness and love in the strong name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Confident of your love and led by your Spirit, we intercede for the needs of others:
All our family, friends, and church family from whom we are separated this morning…
Our neighbors in need in Jackson County…
Healthcare staff providing medical care and working double-time…
Those currently infected by the coronavirus, and those who care for them…
Medical and scientific experts seeking ways to control the spread of the virus…
Children out of school, employees out of work, and all who find their lives upended by the coronavirus…
Public officials making difficult decisions about closings and quarantines, and those who feel burdened by those decisions…
Christians throughout the globe who endeavor to bring healing, justice, and peace…
We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:
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.
(To share individual prayer requests, visit this online form: https://bit.ly/2TTLAF3)
Tithes and Offerings
What do I have that I did not receive? With gratitude for the gospel, I share my time, talents, and resources with the Lord.
(You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)
Closing Song
“O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
(Listen to a version online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w3DXMkyj7Q)
Benediction
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Children’s Church Lesson
”Jesus & Zaccheus” led by Courtney Umphlett