WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
March 15, 2026
CHORAL INTROIT: Brother Jame’s Air arr. R. Price
CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Psalm 146)
One: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!
All: I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to God all my life long.
One: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord:
All: Who made heaven and earth, and all that is in them.
One: Who executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
All: The Lord sets the prisoner free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
One: The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
All: The Lord watches over the strangers and upholds the orphan and the widow,
One: But the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
All: The Lord will reign forever. Praise the Lord!
OPENING HYMN (You may rise in Body or Spirit): #37 Glory to God Let All Things Now Living
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: Sustaining and merciful God, we continue to want more, forgetful of the blessings we already possess. We want everything now, avoiding the discomfort of patience and hard work. We get tangled in our own needs and accomplishments, Unable to pay attention to the needs of others. Forgive us! Free us to use our strengths and gifts to serve others. Help us see the world as people committed to wise way of Jesus. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: Hear and receive the good news: In Jesus Christ, we have been forgiven!
Know this and be at peace.
All: Amen.
SUNG RESPONSE:
#468 Glory to God In My Life (verses 1-2)
[Time with Young Disciples]
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let’s share the peace of Christ with one another.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Holy God, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, help us to grow in our love for you and our neighbors during this Lenten season.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 91: 9-16
Ephesians 5:8-16 (The Message Version)
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Be Thou My Vision Tipton
MESSAGE: Light For Dark Times Rev. Melissa Bowers
*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN (You may rise in Body or Spirit):
#702 Glory to God Christ Be Beside Me
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER:
#472 Glory to God Kum ba Yah (verses 1, 4)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, BLESSINGS, AND THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Our Mother and 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.
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: God gives and gives and gives to bless, help, heal, and deliver us.
What can we give in return? In the beloved words of Isaac Watts:
“Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
OFFERTORY SOLO: Gaelic Blessing J. Rutter
Sarah Baxter, alto
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: What language can we borrow to thank you, dearest Friend?
Accept the gifts we give today to be for your glory and the good of your people,
because of Jesus Christ,
All: Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (You may rise in Body or Spirit):
#547 Glory to God Go My Children, With My Blessing
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
*POSTLUDE: O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus arr. Shackley
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