Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Lent IVA
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
On this 4th Sunday in Lent there are a variety of ways to use images from the lectionary texts in worship. Consider singing Chalice Hymnal #78 or Chalice Hymnal #79 at the beginning of worship. Use a verse from Chalice Hymnal #558 or #586 as you prepare for or finish prayer. Use Chalice Hymnal #80 as a reflective addition to communion, and Chalice Hymnal #80 and Chalice Hymnal #81 as a congregational response after hearing Ps. 23. Use vs. 1 of Chalice Hymnal #546 as a response to the reading of the John 9 text.
Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 23)
L: Awaken from your slumber,
bringing your fears and anxieties
into the presence of the Lord our God.
P: We’re here to listen for the call of our Shepherd,
whose voice leads us from selfish ambition to the feast of grace.
L: May God’s light shine into the hidden darkness of our lives.
P: May that light restore us and lead us to acts of service for our
Lord.
All: Come let us worship God.
(Adapted from a piece written by Rev. MaryAnn Rennie for Starters for Sunday.)
Opening Prayer
Holy God,
Like a caring shepherd you lead us.
Thank you for bringing us to this time of worship,
for providing for us all that we need,
and challenging us to action in behalf of our sisters and brothers.
Accept our confident faith that you will lead us on paths of righteousness,
even as we are filled at your Table
and receive your comfort on our journey. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
Time and again, we read of the healing gifts provided by Jesus as he moved from place to place.
In our story from John 9, Jesus responds by giving sight to a man born blind. Neither the man nor his parents were able to identify exactly how Jesus healed the man, but were confident in declaring, “He was blind, and now he sees.”
We may not imagine ourselves as healers like Jesus, but our faithful gifts and the ways we use our time and talents often work to provide healing. Some of our weekly offering supports… (Use specifics here from your own congregation or this: “Such as work of our overseas mission staff, including medical teams & staff for medical clinics, or support of mission teams who use their talents to bring healing arts to those without health clinics.”)
As followers of Jesus, we celebrate the ways we, too, can be healers. With our morning offering, let’s increase our capacity to bring relief to many who struggle with their health.
Let’s share our tithes and offerings.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving Shepherd,
Thank you for walking beside us through valleys and over mountains, guiding us with your grace and guarding us as a parent guards their child.
Even in a world clouded by shadows, your light shines through—
inviting us to live as children of the day.
Receive these gifts, O God, offered to help us remember
to walk in your ways,
to live as your people,
to offer healing and hope
and to shine with the justice and truth shown to us in Jesus.
Thank you for encouraging us to let our giving be more than ritual.
May what we offer demonstrate our trust in you. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Psalm 23 speaks of a table prepared.
Week by week we come to this table, lovingly prepared with emblems
of Jesus’ body and blood. Here each of us is invited to find our own place,
knowing all have a share in this feast.
So come! Celebrate our communion with Jesus and our remembrance of his life, ministry, death and resurrection. Come to claim your place in the whole community of faith, strengthened by God into believers who seek to follow Jesus with our thoughts, our words and our deeds.
This table is prepared.