We are worshiping at 10 am.

March 30, 2025

Introduction & Welcome

PEACE

The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you today and always.

And also with you.

Congregation members greet each other by saying:

Peace be with you.

Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who forgives all our sin,

whose mercy endures forever.

Amen.

Let us return to God, confessing our sin in the assurance of God’s abiding love.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Compassionate One,

you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,

but our lives do not always reflect you

and your love for the world.

We do not show others the tender compassion

you have shown to us.

We do not welcome others with the radical hospitality

you grant to all people.

We oppress others,

even though you have set us free again and again.

We squander the abundant gifts of the earth.

Transform our lives

and guide us again in the way of the cross.

Amen.

Beloved in Christ,

God’s arms are always stretched open wide

to welcome the wandering ones home.

In ☩ Christ your sins are forgiven.

You have a place in God’s house forever.

Amen.

Hymn “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”

1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me.

See, on the portals he's waiting and watching,

watching for you and for me.

Refrain

"Come home, (Come home,)

come home! (come home!)

You who are weary, come home."

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

calling, "O sinner, come home!"

2 Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

pleading for you and for me?

Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,

mercies for you and for me? Refrain

3 Oh, for the wonderful love he has promised,

promised for you and for me!

Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,

pardon for you and for me. Refrain

Text: Will L. Thompson, 1847-1909

Pastor - Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Kyrie

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray,

God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with forgiveness. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The assembly is seated.

First Reading Joshua 5:9-12

A reading from Joshua beginning with the 5h chapter.

9 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.

10 While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11 On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 32 Read responsively

1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; when the great waters overflow they shall not reach them.
7 You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye.
9 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.”
10 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Second Reading 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

A reading from 2 Corinthians beginning with chapter 5

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Return to the Lord, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The holy gospel according to Luke, the 15th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Congregation is seated

Sermon

Congregation stands for Hymn of the Day

Hymn “Our Father, We Have Wandered”

1 Our Father, we have wandered

and hidden from your face;

in foolishness have squandered

your legacy of grace.

But now, in exile dwelling,

we rise with fear and shame,

as, distant but compelling,

we hear you call our name.

2 And now at length discerning

the evil that we do,

behold us, Lord, returning

with hope and trust to you.

In haste you come to meet us

and home rejoicing bring,

in gladness there to greet us

with calf and robe and ring.

3 O Lord of all the living,

both banished and restored,

compassionate, forgiving,

and ever-caring Lord,

grant now that our transgressing,

our faithlessness may cease.

Stretch out your hand in blessing,

in pardon, and in peace.

Text: Kevin Nichols, 1929-2006

Text from Resource Collection of Hymns and Service Music for the Liturgy © 1981 International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.

Apostles’ Creed

The presiding minister may introduce the Creed.

With the whole church, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.*

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.

A brief silence.

God of relentless love. Embrace all who are far from home or estranged from loved ones, and all who live with regret. Embolden your people to offer and to seek forgiveness. God, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

God of new beginnings, restore balance to the earth. Send rain to places of drought and sunshine to places of flooding, that the land may again support life. God, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

God of prodigal grace, unite the nations as fellow members of the human family. Give leaders the courage to put aside pride and ego, to cease squandering lives and time, and to work for the well-being of all. God, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

God of boundless love, receive with open arms any in need of compassion especially Pastor Van Gundy, Sue, Pastor Hadley, Candy, Deann, John, Steve, Lynne, Margaret, Jay, Cork & Cheryl, Rillys, Louanna, Sharon, Carol, Norma, David, Mary Lou, Tyler, Janet and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). May your compassion bring them healing. God, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

God of surprising inclusion, widen human circles to welcome all who are excluded. Bless the work of disability ministries, ministries by and with neurodivergent people, and multicultural ministries; that the welcome of Jesus be extended to all. God, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

God of resurrection life, welcome home all who have died. We thank you for their lives and entrust them into your keeping, where true reconciliation and eternal peace are found. God, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

Receive the prayers of your people and draw all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus, who leads us from death to life.

Amen.

Offering “Beautiful Things”

Offertory Prayer

Together we pray.

Gracious Provider,

you set your immense treasures among us,

opening your heart to the world.

As we prepare to feast on your bountiful love,

deepen our commitment to sharing those

treasures with others,

through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

through our Savior Jesus Christ.

You call your people to cleanse their hearts

and prepare with joy for the paschal feast,

that, renewed in the gift of baptism,

we may come to the fullness of your grace.

And so, with all the choirs of angels,

with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Eucharistic Prayer

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,

we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,

and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food,

the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be all honor and glory, now and forever.

Amen.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. (Spoken)

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 trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

All who are hungry, come!

The feast of grace is spread.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

grant us peace, grant us peace.

Communion

The Body of Christ, given for you. Amen

The Blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen

Post Communion Blessing

The Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and forever keep you in his grace. Amen.

Prayer after Communion

Generous Host,

you have shared your feast with us and made us new.

Send us now to set tables of love and grace in our communities,

that your liberating love might nourish the world into freedom,

in the name of the crucified one, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Pastor - Benediction

God our tender parent,

God the crucified one,

God the reconciling Spirit,

☩ bless you now and forever.

Amen.

Hymn “My Life Flows On in Endless Song”

1 My life flows on in endless song;

above earth's lamentation,

I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn

that hails a new creation.

Refrain

No storm can shake my inmost calm

while to that Rock I'm clinging.

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

how can I keep from singing?

2 Through all the tumult and the strife,

I hear that music ringing.

It finds an echo in my soul.

How can I keep from singing? Refrain

3 What though my joys and comforts die?

The Lord my Savior liveth.

What though the darkness gather round?

Songs in the night he giveth. Refrain

4 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

a fountain ever springing!

All things are mine since I am his!

How can I keep from singing? Refrain

Text: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899

Dismissal

Go in peace. Love others as re-Lent-lessly as God loves you.

Thanks be to God!

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