East Berlin United Methodist Church Campus of The New Room
“Ordinary people with extraordinary faith.”
139 Main Street PO Box 265
East Berlin, CT 06023
860-828-9254
Pastors: Ric Hanse, Barbara Marks, Chinma Uche
Ministers: All members of the church
District Superintendent Rev. Alpher Sylvester
Bishop Rev. Thomas J. Bickerton
Holly Wishart is leading the service this week.
March 19, 2023
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT! YEAR C
Greetings: Kathy
Call to Worship (Please stand if you are able)
Leader: We are gathered as people created by God
ALL: to sing, to praise, and rejoice.
Leader: We are gathered as people redeemed by God
ALL: to confess and be embraced by mercy.
Leader: We are gathered as people sustained by God
ALL: to listen, proclaim, and to follow.
ALL: Come, let us worship the One who feeds our deepest hungers and sustains us with love.
OPENING HYMN (Please stand if able): “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” UMH 140
OPENING PRAYER - All (seated)
Loving God, we come this morning seeking to abide in your presence. Open our minds to your spirit of wisdom, that we may know how to live as your people. Open our hearts to your spirit of truth, that we may love all your people with a love that speaks of justice, kindness, and radical grace. Heal our blindness to your love. Lead us out of darkness. May this time of worship be authentic and pleasing to you. AMEN
WELCOME (All seated). Kathy
CHURCH NEWS: Kathy
JOYS AND CONCERNS (All seated): Let us bring our joys and concerns to the Lord. Kathy
READING (All seated): Psalm 23 Holly Wishart
This most famous of all the psalms reminds us that, with God as our shepherd, we are rested and renewed, banqueted and anointed. God’s care for us is all that we will ever need.
GOSPEL READING (Stand if you are able) John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 Holly Wishart Leader: This is the word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God!
HYMN:. “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” UMH 381
SERMON (All seated): “I Can See Clearly Now” Holly Wishart
The Lord’s Prayer
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples
said to him, “Lord, teach us how to pray, just as John taught his disciples”.
Collection of Our Offering
Offertory Prayer (All seated) – ALL
Generous God, you tenderly care for each person you have created. You miraculously restore people to health and shine light into the lives of those who are discouraged. Guide us so that we will not regard others according to outward appearances but seek to find your love in their hearts. We dedicate our offerings and ourselves to contribute to the work of your kingdom on earth until Christ returns in glory. Amen. (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
Offertory: Please leave your offering in the collection or consider sending a check to PO Box 265, East Berlin, CT 06023. You can donate online at our website, http://www.umc-eastberlin.org. Thank you.
Doxology (Please stand if you are able): “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH 95
Hymn (Please stand if you are able): “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” UMH 557
Benediction (Please stand if you are able) Holly Wishart