LANGLEY UNITED CHURCH

̶= 0;Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are called together by Jesus:<= /p>

to worship God; to gr= ow as disciples of Christ; to serve the world and each other;

and to offer hospitali= ty and welcome to all.”

=

Minister Rev. Rod Mac= Kinnon 604-530-5912

March 22, 2009

Fourth Sunday in Lent=

We Gather in God’s Name

Prelude:&nbs= p;   Prelude in E minor by J. S. Bach  = ;

Greetings and Announcements

Preparation for Worship, Quiet Meditation

Lighting the Christ Candle=

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 107):

      One:     Give thanks to Go= d who is good,

              &= nbsp;         whose love lasts forever and ever.
      All: &n= bsp;   We thank you God, for you are good,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   and your love lasts forever and ever.

      One:     We thank you God with s= ongs of joy and

        &= nbsp;           &= nbsp;   tell all that you have done for us.<= /p>
      All: &n= bsp;   We thank you God, for you are good,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   and your love lasts forever and ever.

      One:     In our trouble we call = to you, God, and

        &= nbsp;           &= nbsp;   you save us from distress.

      All: &n= bsp;   We thank you God, for you are good,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   and your love lasts forever and ever.

      One:     Come, let us worship Go= d.

Hymn of Praise: VU #244 Sing Your Praise to God Eternal

Prayer of Approach:

  =     Sometimes we feel like wanderers in= the wilderness, O God,

        &= nbsp;   not sure which way to turn and feeling lost and alone.=

      Help us to remember that even the wilderness,

        &= nbsp;   even the desert, can be a place of life and of healing= ,

        &= nbsp;   and that with you we can face our fears.

      Help us to remember that you are always with us.

      We pray in = Jesus’ name. Amen

Learning with Children

Children’s Music:     I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

Prayer of Confession:

      One:     Like our ancestors wand= ering in the desert,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   sometimes we grow impatient and lose our

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   trust in you, O God. When that happens,

      All: &n= bsp;   heal and forgive us, O God.

      = One:     Sometimes we ignore you, O God.

        &= nbsp;         We know what you want us to do,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   yet we do other things.

        &= nbsp;         We are easily influenced by others.

        &= nbsp;         When that happens,

      All: &n= bsp;   heal and forgive us, O God.

      = One:     Sometimes we think we have to earn your love,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   and we don’t feel good enough.=

        &= nbsp;         Sometimes we think we are better than others,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   or that we deserve your love and they don’t.

        &= nbsp;         When that happens,

      All: &n= bsp;   heal and forgive us, O God.

      = One:     Sometimes we ignore you, your gracious love

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   and your call to discipleship.

        &= nbsp;         Sometimes we live as if you were far away,

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   and had never come to live among us.=

        &= nbsp;         When that happens,

      All: &n= bsp;   heal and forgive us, O God.

      = (Pause for silent confession)<= /o:p>

Assurance of Pardon:

      = One:     Hear this good news from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:=

        &= nbsp;               “I= t is by God’s grace that you have been saved through             =             &nb= sp;

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   faith. It is not the result of your own effort,

        &= nbsp;   &n= bsp;         but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it.”

        &= nbsp;         So, know that God loves you and has forgiven you.

      All: &n= bsp;   Thanks be to God! =

Passing the Peace of Christ:

      The Peace of Christ is with you.

      And also with you.

Sung Response:   MV #95 How Deep the Peace

We Listen for God’s Word<= /o:p>

The Hebrew Scripture:    Numbers 21: 4-9

The Gospel Lesson:     &n= bsp; John 3: 14-21

Anthem: = ;   God So Loved the Word by John Steiner&n= bsp;

Reflection on the Word

We Respond to God’s Word<= /o:p>

Hymn:       VU #348 = O Love, How Deep (verses 1, 2, 4 and 7)

Sharing Our Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People and Our Lord’s Prayer

Presenting Our Gifts

Offertory:&n= bsp;     Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini  =

Doxology:&nb= sp;     VU #541 Praise God from Whom All Blessings = Flow

We Go Forth to Serve

Closing Hymn:    VU #649 Walk with Me

Commissioning and Benediction:

      Let us go now to follow Jesus,

            at home, at school, at work, wherever we are.

  = ;    And may we be strengthened by his presence,

  = ;          encouraged by his promises, and held in his love. Amen

Amen: &= nbsp;     VU #969 (Kriewald)

Postlude:&nb= sp; Air by G. P. Telemann

  =     (Please remain seated during the Postlude)