Order of Service / Lent 5 / March 22

*Gathering Hymn Come Down, O Love Divine (#367 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: We come in worship, seeking God’s guidance and love.

  All: May this time of worship fill us with the Spirit, to restore our faith and our hope in God’s presence.

One: Although we are well-intended, we need God’s word to renew our direction and commitment.

  All: May this time of worship strengthen our hearts to follow God’s way.

One: God calls us to support each other and draw on the example of those who went before.

  All: May this time of worship comfort us with the truth of God’s love throughout the ages.

One: In worship, let us welcome God into our hearts.

All: In worship, let us affirm our love of God and God’s love for us.

*Gill Le Fevre. Gathering LE 2026. Page 29.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Breathe on Me, Breath of God (#382 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God of mercy, we confess that we sometimes lose our way. At times we feel distant, uncertain, or unsure of what lies ahead. In our families, our friendships, our communities, and our country, we do not always choose what leads to healing, justice, and peace. Turn us again toward your wisdom, and gently lead us in your way. In this silence, we bring to you the places where we may have missed the mark and need your guidance. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: Even when we lose our way, God does not turn away from us. God comes to us with mercy, restores us with love, and leads us again toward what is right and whole.

  All: In Christ, we are forgiven, renewed, and given strength to walk forward in hope. Thanks be to God.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve God Peace Like a River, VU #577)

I‘ve got love like an ocean, I‘ve got love like an ocean,

I‘ve got love like an ocean, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The valley of dry bones.

Psalm 130 (VU p. 853) Out of the depths I cry to God.

Romans 8:6-11 The Spirit is life, not death

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn We Shall Overcome (#129 TLUS | vs. 1,2,4)

1. We shall overcome, we shall overcome,

we shall overcome, someday.

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe

we shall overcome someday.

2. We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand,

we’ll walk hand in hand someday.

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe

we’ll walk hand in hand someday.

4. We shall live in peace, we shall live in peace,

we shall live in peace someday.

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe

we shall live in peace someday.


*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)
God of breath and new life, we offer these gifts in gratitude for your renewing Spirit. Where lives are dry and hope has grown faint, use them to bring courage, healing, and restoration. Breathe your life through these offerings, that they may serve your purposes in the church, the community, and the world. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Live into Hope (#699 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Go in the breath of God.

All: We rise in hope.

One: Go in the strength of the Spirit.

  All: We move with courage.

One: Go to share Christ’s peace.

All: We carry love into the world.

One: Trust the One who raises dry bones to life.

  All: We will live with faith, seek wholeness, and welcome God’s new future.

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

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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