Ward Hill Church of Christ the King
A Christ-Centered Community of Faith, Hope, & Love
The Lord’s Day, March 26, in the Lord’s Year 2023
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Please speak bold words and sing italicized words; * we invite you to stand as able.
Prelude & Quiet Prayer – five minutes before service (9:55-10:00 am)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. His mercy endures forever.
* Hymn 263 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER
* Invocation
* Confession of Sin: Gracious God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have promised to receive us when we come to you. We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you or our neighbors as we should. Forgive us, O God, and grant that in the Holy Spirit we may live and serve you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* Declaration of Forgiveness in Christ: If you have repented of your sin and turned in faith to Jesus Christ, I can declare through Christ’s atoning death and life-giving resurrection that you are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
* New Life in Christ: If you love God, keep his commandments. After God had delivered the Israelites, he gave them The Ten Commandments:
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honour thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet.
* Response (Hymn 252, verse 2) HAMBURG
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God: all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
O Lord, open our lips, and our mouths shall show forth your praise.
*Gloria Patri (Hymn 735) GLORIA PATRI (GREATOREX)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
* The Peace of Christ The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Announcements, Scripture Memory, & Catechism – see Bell Ringer
Hymnal 554 From Depths of Woe I Raise to Thee – Contemporary Tune
Song –There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One. Refrain: Thank you, oh my Father for giving us Your Son and leaving Your Spirit ’til the work on earth is done.
Jesus my redeemer, Name above all names, precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain. Refrain
When I stand in glory, I will see His face, and there I’ll serve my King forever
In that Holy Place. Refrain
Prayer of Gathering (Collect for Lent V): Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for the Reading of the Holy Scriptures
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 The Word of the Lord.
Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Thanks be to God.
Sermon – “Walking in the Spirit” Series: The Romans Road
The Apostles’ Creed – hymnal page 845
Prayers of the People, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (saying ‘debts’)
Offering Tithes and Gifts
Offertory (Hymn 729) HERR JESU CHRIST
All things are thine; no gift have we, Lord of all gifts, to offer thee; and hence with grateful hearts today, thine own before thy feet we lay.
* Doxology (Hymn 731) OLD HUNDREDTH
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
* Hymnal 264 Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross NEAR THE CROSS
* Benediction
Postlude
The Ward Hill Church Bell Ringer
The Lord’s Day, March 26, 2023 – 5th Sunday in Lent
Annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt – THIS Saturday, 11 am
We could use you help! If you can donate candy or money for candy, it would be greatly appreciated. If you’re free, we would also love to have you there at the event.
Note: There will be no prayer meeting this week.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday, April 2nd at 10 am
Maundy Thursday, April 6th at 7 pm
Good Friday, April 7th at 7 pm
VISITORS – Thank you for joining us. We very much appreciate your presence, and we hope you feel at home with us. If you have any questions, please ask. We hope to see you again soon. Email – wardhillchurch@gmail.com
Look us up on Facebook, Twitter, and wardhillchurch.org!
Lectionary and Hymns for Next Sunday, March 26, 2023
Season: Lent – 40 days of fasting and 6 Lord’s Days before Easter
Sunday (February 22 – April 8, 2023)
Color: Purple – for repentance
Sixth Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday, April 2
Lectionary: Liturgy of the Palms – Ps 118:1-2, 19-29; Matthew 21:1-11
Liturgy of the Passion – Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16;
Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66
Hymns: 235 – All Glory, Laud, and Honor; 182 – My Song Is Love Unknown; 163 – At the Name of Jesus; Song – Before the Throne of God Above
Lord’s Day Schedule for April
Service – 10 am (Lord’s Supper observed on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month)
Fellowship & Study – 11 am to 12 noon * Communion
Apr 2 Palm Sunday* Apr 23 Easter III
Apr 9 Easter – Resurrection of Christ Apr 30 Easter IV – Good Shepherd
Apr 16 Easter II*
Monthly Prayer Focus for March
Local Church Focus: Sacred Hearts Parish, Bradford – Fr John Delaney
Missions Focus: Somebody Cares New England
Community Resources – Food, Clothing, Shelter, & Other Help
www.communityactioninc.org/phocadownload/resource_guide_english_october_2017.pdf National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988
Refugee Ministries: Interserve USA (interserveusa.com); Emmanuel Gospel Center’s Greater Boston Refugee Ministry (www.egc.org/refugee)
Global Crisis Help: World Relief – worldrelief.org
Information on Persecuted Christians: Open Doors USA –opendoorsusa.org
Pray for Turkey and Syria – worldrelief.org
Monthly Scripture Memory for March
Romans 5:6-8 (ESV) – 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Weekly Catechism: Outline of the Faith
Q. What is the ministry of the laity?
A. The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.
Q. What is the ministry of the diaconate?
A. The ministry of deacons and deaconesses is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist the clergy in the proclamation of the Gospel and in the pastoral care of the Church.
Q. What is the ministry of pastors?
A. As ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament, pastors – also called elders, presbyters (priests), and overseers (bishops) — are to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to proclaim the Gospel and the Word of God; to administer the sacraments; to bless and declare pardon in the name of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to guide the ordination of others to continue Christ’s ministry.
Q. What is the duty of all Christians?
A. The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.
Ward Hill Church of Christ the King 