Welcome to Online Worship this Fifth Sunday in Lent
Recommended Scripture for further meditation today: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 [And 5th Sunday of Lent study printable]
Powerpoint slides for today’s message
THE MESSAGE The Jesus Who Wants Us Fully Alive
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Coming from places that have seen better days,
P: God bids us to celebrate this day, a day full of new possibilities.
L: Coming with our breath taken away by grief,
P: the Holy Spirit breathes new life within us, renewing our connection with
God and with one another.
L: Coming to worship seeking a hope that will endure,
P: Christ unbinds the fetters that hold us in death, speaking in word and
sacrament, and building community for holy service.
OPENING PRAYER
God of life, present and promised, you are the One to whom we call:
for you are the One who hears, and you are the One who acts,
bringing us new life with your grace and love and power.
Lead us in our time of worship,
that we may be prepared to follow your lead in places where life is at risk— places where hope seems far away, places where dreams die during sleep.
When we leave these virtual walls, help us live the teachings we proclaim within this place of worship,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Click to open the printable Children’s Packet
JOYS AND CONCERNS – How may I pray for you? Submit your prayer request to Pastor Theresa
Following up to the passage from John 9 regarding “Spiritual Blindness” that left some Pharisees confused and asking if they were “blind”, read now John 10:1-10 New Revised Standard Version
Jesus the Good Shepherd
10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
YOUR SUPPORT MEANS MORE NOW THAN EVER
Ministry never stops. Please keep on supporting your church. Find the contact and mailing address on your church’s homepage (links at the top of the page). Thank you for continuing to support outreach and ministry during this challenging time.
PREPARE FOR PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 5TH!
Click here to download a printable palm coloring page courtesy of Illustrated Ministry!
Or use construction paper, tape and scissors to create your palm!