March 23 Service

March 23 Service Groveport UMC, Groveport Ohio To support the ministry of the church, please click here: https://groveportumc.org/give/ OPENING SONGS: “Change My Heart, O God” with “What a Mighty God We Serve” WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS OPENING PRAYER: Gracious and eternal God, you call us into a new way of being, and give us so many second chances in life. May your love wash over us, as we turn toward you from our sinful ways. Mold us as your people in new and powerful ways, that we may be true disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES: “The Love of God” *HYMN “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” #133 CALL TO WORSHIP: L: New every morning is your mercy, O God. P: You save us from our transgressions. L: You bless us with steadfast love and mercy. P: In true repentance, we find new life. HYMN “My Jesus, I Love Thee” #172 PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Merciful God, you have surrounded us with abundant good and invited us to partake. Rather than respond with gratitude, we long for that which we do not have. We compare ourselves to others and want more, different, newer, shinier. We fail to discipline our desires and instead glorify and indulge them. We want maturity without growing pains, character without effort, courage without testing, wisdom without difficulty. Lord, forgive our foolish ways. Grant us instead a longing for your presence and a burning passion for your truth. Above all else, may we seek to know your heart, to delight in your presence and to desire your ways and thoughts which are higher than ours. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE: FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 28:13 OUR TIME OF PRAYER (During our time of prayer, the altar rail is open for all who wish to come forward.) HYMN “Sanctuary” PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS: “What Wondrous Love is This” *DOXOLOGY *PRAYER OF DEDICATION SPECIAL MUSIC: The Chancel Choir and Jr. Choir – “Shine Jesus, Shine” (Children may be dismissed for Jr. Church at this time) SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 13:1-9 SERMON “The Gift of Time” *HYMN “How Great Thou Art” - #77 *BENEDICTION *SENDING FORTH “As We Go” POSTLUDE ”He Keeps Me Singing”