Sunday March 1, 2026
Message: Rev. Ray Thomas
Liturgist: Nancy Loudermilk
†CALL TO WORSHIP: (Isaiah 58: 6-8)
One: Is this not the fast I choose: to loosen the bonds of injustice;
All: To share your bread with the hungry;
One: To bring the homeless poor into your house;
All: When you see the naked, to clothe them?
One: Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
All: And your healing shall spring up quickly.
†OPENING HYMN: Blue #488 “The God of Abraham Praise”
CALL TO CONFESSION:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God of mercy, you are full of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in mercy, and always ready to forgive. Grant us grace to renounce all evil and to cling to Christ, that in every way we may prove to be your loving children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: In Jesus’ name, Amen
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
†PASSING OF THE PEACE
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Blue# 579 “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Speak your word, Lord; we have prepared our ears and hearts to listen. Holy Spirit, move among us and move within us, so healing, hope, love, and faith can be nourished and renewed in us. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-4; John 3: 14-17
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: “Trusting the Love That Changes Everything” Rev. Ray Thomas
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: (from the PCUSA A Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home. God is faithful still.
SPECIAL MUSIC:
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
†CLOSING HYMN: Blue: #365 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
†BENEDICTION:
†MUSICAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
One: Is this not the fast I choose: to loosen the bonds of injustice;
All: To share your bread with the hungry;
One: To bring the homeless poor into your house;
All: When you see the naked, to clothe them?
One: Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
All: And your healing shall spring up quickly.
†OPENING HYMN: Blue #488 “The God of Abraham Praise”
CALL TO CONFESSION:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God of mercy, you are full of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in mercy, and always ready to forgive. Grant us grace to renounce all evil and to cling to Christ, that in every way we may prove to be your loving children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: In Jesus’ name, Amen
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
†PASSING OF THE PEACE
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Blue# 579 “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Speak your word, Lord; we have prepared our ears and hearts to listen. Holy Spirit, move among us and move within us, so healing, hope, love, and faith can be nourished and renewed in us. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-4; John 3: 14-17
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: “Trusting the Love That Changes Everything” Rev. Ray Thomas
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: (from the PCUSA A Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home. God is faithful still.
SPECIAL MUSIC:
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Please hole the elements after you receive them so we may partake together.
The outer circle of cups contains juice; the inner circle contains wine.
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYERThe outer circle of cups contains juice; the inner circle contains wine.
†CLOSING HYMN: Blue: #365 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
†BENEDICTION:
†MUSICAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”