March 12 – Third Sunday of Lent – Thirsty Voices

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. In this world, we are all thirsting for the peace that can only come through God’s love. May you find relief here among us on this Lenten journey, either on our YouTube channel or in-person.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Lamento – Bonnet

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God is the source of all that is alive!
All: God gives birth to every living thing!
One: In certain ways, all of us are thirsty.
All: At times, we seek things that do not satisfy.
One: At times, we crave earthly things.
All: But the human soul is not thirsty for things of this world.
One: Jesus Christ is the Living Water.
All: Whoever drinks this water will never thirst.

*HYMN – Morning Has Broken – #274

Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Everlasting God, we come to this sanctuary to worship you. Whatever may be fragile or fearful or hurting within us we now entrust to your transforming power and gentle, loving care. Thank you for the countless ways that you break into this troubled world to calm and to reassure.
Pure and Holy God, you are like a cold, refreshing drink of water. We find in you a love even greater than we can imagine. You watch over and care for all people. From you, we receive water that wells up to life eternal.
Bless each soul who is thirsting for you, Christ Jesus. You are the Savior of the world. Turn us into gushing springs of living water that serve all who are thirsty. May all everyone be refreshed by drinking from your wellspring of grace. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Sanctuary – worship booklet, p. 76

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true:
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You.

Shout to the Lord!
My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – JoAnn Moody

*HYMN – There is a Balm in Gilead – #141

Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. Refrain

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus
and say, “He died for all.” Refrain

CHRISTIAN ACTION – Caring for Kids, Inc. – Cynthia Harcourt, Executive Director

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 95

SPECIAL MUSIC – The Battle Belongs to the Lord – Hayes

GOD’S WORD – John 4:5-42

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – More Love to Thee – 428

More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make On bended knee;
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, Send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, Sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
Moe love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world to be living instruments of God’s peace. – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Prelude, A Minor – J. S. Bach