WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE         “My Shepherd will Supply My Need”     Dale Wood

SERVICE FOR LENTEN CANDLES

LITANY – from Psalm 23:1, 6

Leader: God cares for us like a loving shepherd.

People: We find rest and refreshment.

Leader: God’s lovingkindness is always with us.

People: And we will live forever.

SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER

*HYMN 39    Great Is Thy Faithfulness 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                         

God, our comforter and guide, we confess what comes between us and you.  We have been blind to the faults in ourselves that we so readily detect in others: prizing appearance and credentials, and failing to see the heart; rushing headlong into temptation, without thought for what is right; keeping secret what would shame us, if it were known; denying truths voiced by people we disdain.  God of light, expose to us our sin, that we may confess it and turn from it, and so live in the light of your forgiveness and love...

Silent Prayers of confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE 

Hear the good news!  Who is in a position to condemn?  Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. (Romans 8:34) Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.  The old life has gone; a new life has begun. (2 Corinthians 5:17) And so I declare to you: 

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI         “Glory Be to the Father”                    #581

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: 1st Samuel 16:1-13; John 9:1-41

SERMON      “Admitting to Our Blindness”    Rev. Barrett Ingram 

*HYMN 451              Open My Eyes  

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                            Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM      “The Lord is My Shepherd”    

Allen Pote          

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY                                                                    Hymn 606       

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 187              Savior, Like a Shepherd  

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE