Chatham Circuit

St Louisville, Chatham & Liberty UMC

March 30, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Prelude
Bringing the Light

*Call to Worship:

L: How blessed we are that God forgives us and loves us!

P: For all those times when we have fallen short of what God would have us be, we have been forgiven.

L: God makes us new in God’s Spirit!

P: Now is the time to joyfully accept the newness of life which God offers to us.

L: Come, let us worship and be thankful.

P: Let us open our hearts to the peace and joy of God. AMEN.

*Opening Prayer

 

How incredible is your love, O God! We have been made new in your love and reconciled to you and to each other in peace and joy. Be with us this day as we hear your words of comfort and hope. Guide our lives that we may serve you more fully all of our days. AMEN.

Hymn: Grace Greater than All Our Sins                    #698

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!

2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. (Refrain)

3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. (Refrain)

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? (Refrain)

The Lord’s Prayer

First Scripture:                                             Joshua 5: 9 – 12

The Apostle’s Creed                                                 #881

Second Scripture:                             2 Corinthians 5:16 - 21

Gloria Patri                                                                #70

*Message Lesson:                            Luke 15:1-3, 11b - 32

Spirit of the Living God                                           #393

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

The Message

In the Mirror, Reflections of God

Bryan Moore

Hymn: God of Ages                                                  #698

1. God of the ages, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

2. Thy love divine hath led us in the past; in this free land with thee our lot is cast; be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay, thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

3. From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, be thy strong arm our ever sure defense; thy true religion in our hearts increase; thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

4. Refresh thy people on their toilsome way; lead us from night to never-ending day; fill all our lives with love and grace divine, and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

Prayers of the People

Invitation to Respond to God’s Grace

In gratitude for all that God has done for us and as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, let us share our gifts with God and God’s world.

*Doxology/Prayer

With glad hearts, we offer these gifts to you, O God. Transform them with the power of your Holy Spirit, that these gifts may bring forth new life. May our offering transform others’ lives into the new creation you promise to all. Amen.

Hymn: This is a Day of New Beginnings                   #383

1 This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone.

2 For by the life and death of Jesus, God's mighty Spirit, now as then, can make for us a world of difference, as faith and hope are born again.

3 Then let us, with the Spirit's daring, step from the past and leave behind our disappointment, guilt, and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find.

4 Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.

5 In faith we'll gather round the table to taste and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.

Responsive Benediction

L: Created anew in Christ,
P: We go to proclaim new life to the world.
L: Transformed by God’s love and grace,
P: We go to bring love and grace to all.

Closing

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

St Louisville

Deb Soter                                Bryan Miller

Warren & Cliver Family          Pound Family

Bob and Bev Bevard               John & Dawn Bevard

Teri Schaller

Chatham

Frances Garno                        Warner Family

Carol & Paul Rostofer             Layman Family

Kayla

Liberty

John & Janice Prather            Sally Lindsay

Sandy Hubbard                       Troy Mallow

Cindy and Paul                       Velma

Maria                                       Ruth and Rick

Chatham Charge News:

Holy Week Service Schedule and Location

April 13: Palm Sunday at all three Churches at regular times

April 17: Maundy Thursday at Chatham Church 7PM

April 18: Good Friday Service at St Louisville Church, 7PM

April 20 Easter Sunrise Service at Liberty Church, 7AM, preferably outside if the weather permits.

April 20 Easter Day at all three Churches at regular times.

Bible Study this week, Tuesday Night at 7 PM and Wednesday afternoon at 2 PM. We will be studying Luke 21 and 22. This will be the last one until after Easter!

Words of Confession:

Father-God, welcome us home when we wander afar. Restore us with your compassion and love. Transform us with your miraculous grace, that we might become the new creations you envision us to be.

Words of Assurance

Everything old has passed away. In Christ, you are a new creation, full of mercy and grace. Once we were “dead” to all the things that God hoped for us; but in God’s love we are again brought to life. Rejoice, dear ones, you are forgiven!

Contact info for Pastor Bryan

email: brmoore1@aol.com - phone: 614-323-9561