Sunday, March 23, 2025
Third Sunday of Lent
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
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Prelude Bruce Mook
Welcome from the Pastor Pastor Victoria
Announcements/Greeting Each Other Patti Marshall
(Share a greeting in whatever way you are comfortable)
Gathering Praise #381 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
We are thine, thou dost befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go a-stray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee.
Early let us seek thy favor, early let us do thy will; blessed Lord and only Savior, with thy love our bosoms fill. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Call to Worship Patti Marshall
Liturgist: Wrap yourselves in the healing love of God!
People respond: We seek God’s presence in our lives.
Liturgist: Know that God continually surrounds us with patience and persistence.
People respond: Even though we have not produced the “fruits” of hope that God seeks, yet God forgives and heals our weakness.
Liturgist: Rejoice! Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!
People respond: We will turn our lives again to the Lord, to serve and seek God’s presence.
Hymn #413 A Charge to Keep I Have
A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!
Arm me with jealous care, as in thy sight to live, and oh, thy servant, Lord, prepare a strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray, and on thyself rely, assured, if I my trust betray, I shall forever die.
Lenten Time of Prayer Pastor Victoria
Prayer of Confession/Repentance
In Jesus we see all that we can be, the pioneer of our faith and the goal to which we strive. We confess that our thoughts and our ways have not been yours, O God. When we have chosen not to see others with the eyes of Christ’s compassion, when we have lost sight of whose we are, forgive us these and all our sins, we humbly pray. Savior Jesus, who has endured every temptation, we turn to you afresh.
Prayer of Thanksgiving / Gratitude Pastor Victoria
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that you are with us as we live our lives here on earth. We thank you for those who over the generations have walked with you in faith, responding courageously to whatever they have faced – even when afraid and bewildered. Help us also to walk with you, willing to commit ourselves to follow You, even to a cross. When you lead us into new territory and we are unsure or afraid, help us to be strong, courageous, obedient and faithful. When you ask us to listen to your voice, help us to hear your word – confronting, challenging, inspiring – help us to listen when you ask us to reach out in love to the indifferent, the hostile, those we consider unworthy, or unacceptable. God of love, overcome our prejudices and fear. God of wisdom, when you ask us to step out of our comfort zone, help us to care, to share, to give, to sacrifice, all in Your name.
Moment of silence/Pastoral Prayer Pastor Victoria
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn #451 Be Thou My Vision
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou and thou only, first in my heart, great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Great God of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Offertory Bruce Mook
Doxology #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offertory Prayer Pastor Victoria
All the people pray: Faithful God, our guide and sustainer, as we offer these gifts, may they bear fruit for your kingdom. In this solemn season of Lent, we remember your call to repentance and renewal. Help us tend the soil of our hearts so that we may grow in faith and bear witness to your grace. Use these offerings to bring hope to those in need and light to those in darkness. May we live as your fruitful servants, trusting in your abundant mercy. In the name of Christ who calls us to new life, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Luke 13: 1-9
1 At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
Sermon: Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Pastor Victoria
Hymn #438 Forth In Thy Name, O Lord
Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go, my daily labor to pursue; thee, only thee, resolved to know in all I think or speak or do.
The task thy wisdom hath assigned, O let me cheerfully fulfill; in all my works thy presence find, and prove thy good and perfect will.
Thee may I set at my right hand, whose eyes mine inmost substance see, and labor on at thy command, and offer all my works to thee.
For thee delightfully employ whate’er thy bounteous grace hath given; and run my course with even joy, and closely walk with thee to heaven.
Benediction Pastor Victoria
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, here and in the world. Amen.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
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March 24th 6:30 PM
There will be a joint Finance/Council meeting
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CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Meet Tuesday evenings at 5:30
For additional information,
Please contact the church office. Thank you!
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Save the Date
March 30th
Spaghetti Luncheon 12:30
(Call the Office to make your Reservations for lunch)
Flute Choir Concert 2:00
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Liturgist: Patti Marshall
Pianist: Bruce Mook
Rev. Victoria Guthrie
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Calendar
Sunday, March 23rd
10:00 Bible Discussion Group
10:45 Choir Rehearsal
11:15 Worship
Monday, March 24th
12:30 Parkinson’s Support Group
5:00 Karate
6:30 Council/Finance Meeting
8:00 AA Meeting
Tuesday, March 25th
5:30 Children/Youth
6:30 ACA Group
6:30 Central Oak Neighborhood Assoc
Wednesday, March 26th
9:00 Thrift Store
10:30 Al-Anon
6:30 ACA Group
Thursday, March 27th
9:00 Thrift Store
12:00 Al Anon Begin
12:45 Al Anon
1:30 NHB Flute Choir
4:30 Feed the Hungry
5:00 Karate
7:30 AA
Friday, March 28th
1:30 Chair Volleyball
5:00 Food Pantry
6:45 ACA Group
Saturday, March 29th
9:00 Thrift Store
9:00 Beach Group – Joy Room
11:00 ACA
Sunday, March 30th
10:00 Bible Discussion Group
10:45 Choir Rehearsal
11:15 Worship
12:30 Spaghetti Luncheon
2:00 Flute Choir Concert