Order of Service / Lent 5 / April 6, 2025

 *Gathering Hymn Open My Eyes, That I May See (#371 VU)

Welcome& Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Breathe deep! Allow the fragrance of love to entice you.

All: We can sense a powerful presence among us.

One: Though death threatens to come soon, in this hour ofworship, let us focus on what is alive!

All: The colours of morning stream though our windows – the world is humming in activity.

One: The warmth of our communion vibrates among us – we are One Body together.

All: And soon we will raise our voices in song, creating harmonies to sustain us on ourjourney toward the cross.

One: Come, people of God, breathe deeply and take in the vitality of this moment, and let us cherish it and be glad.

All: God’s extravagance surrounds us. Let us worship and give thanks.

*Seasons of the SpiritLE  2019. Page 68.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn O Perfect Love (#491 VU | vs. 1&2)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Divine Architect, you have called us together to worship, just as we are. We cannot pretend to be what we are not, for you have made us and know us through and through. In our weakness, we have come with prayers for strength; in our strength, we have come with prayers of humility. Open our hearts that we might pray with honesty and await your answers with renewed faith. Open our hearts that we may feel the breath of your Holy Spirit. Unclench our hands that we might reach out to one another and be healed. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Robert Murdock, Gathering L/E 2019. Page 32.

Words of Assurance

One: God knows us fully and loves us completely.

All: In Christ, we are forgiven and made new.

One: God's mercy is greater than our mistakes, and God's grace is always with us.

All: We receive God's love and live in peace. Amen.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children(VU#577)

I‘ve got faith like a mountain, I‘ve got faith like a mountain,

I‘ve got faith like a mountain, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Isaiah 43:16-21 Look, I am doing something new.

Psalm 126 (VU p. 850)Those who sow in tears reap with joy.

John 12:1-8 Mary anoints Jesus with costly ointment.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*HymnGiver of the Perfect Gift (#116 VU | vs. 1,4,5)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn(#581 VU, v. 2 | When We Are Living)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

We belong to God, we belong to God.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Loving God, like Mary poured out her gift for Jesus, we offer these gifts as a sign of our love and gratitude. May they be used to bring hope, healing, and justice to our world. Bless our giving, that it may reflect the generosity of your grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*ClosingHymnMay the God of Hope Go with Us (#424 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Go now, carrying the love of Christ, just as Mary’s gift filled the air with its fragrance.

All: We go, ready to share love that brings hope.

One: May our kindness and generosity leave a lasting touch on those we meet.

All: We will love, serve, and give with open hearts.

One: Go in peace, for Christ goes with you.

All: Amen! We go with joy and gratitude.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings(#214MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

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