As you make your way through today’s worship service, instructions and suggestions will be included in italics. Get a cup of coffee and settle in for this time of worship with your community.

Foyer Conversation

Gathering Song – “Inheritance”

Inheritance
You are my inheritance
You are my highest end
Lord what could ever take the place of you?
Though the world that moves around me
It will choose a different path
I walk along this narrow way of truth

May it be as you have said
May this trust bring forth peace
May it be as you have said
May your guiding hand not cease

Oh the many times I struggle
The many times I fail
To love with all my heart, with all my soul
Oh forgive my wayward hunger
Forgive the lack of space
How can I take you in when I am full?

When you find yourself in plenty
Do not forget the poor
The Lord he gives enough for both of you
When you find that you are lacking
Do not forget the Lord
When the need is met you’ll know that your God knew

Lead us to the promised land
As we faithful follow near
You are the promised land
Our inheritance is here
You are the promised land
Our inheritance is here
You are the promised land
Our inheritance is here

You are my inheritance
You are my highest end
I walk along the narrow way of truth

Opening Prayer

Greet One Another

Take a couple minutes to reach out to those in your faith community with a call, a text, a video chat, an email, etc. Remember those who might be feeling alone and extend the peace of Christ to them.

Responsive Reading – Adapted from Psalm 118

If you are meeting with others, have one person lead by reading the plain print while the others respond with the words in bold print.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
His love endures forever
Open for us the gates of righteousness;
We will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
We will give you thanks, for you answered us;
You have become our salvation.
The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Songs of Worship – “Your Name,” “God of Wonders,” and “Great Are You Lord”

Your Name
As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name – let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
and glorify Your Name

God of Wonders
Lord of all creation
Of the water, earth and sky
The Heavens are Your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy

Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of Heaven and Earth

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And when I stumble into darkness
I will call Your name by night

Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth

Great Are You Lord
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord

Scripture Reading – Isaiah 35:3-10

Giving and Giving Thanks

Take some time to name some of the things you are grateful for today – write them down and make a list, or, if you are with others, share them aloud.

Generosity and giving are part of worship and part of our lives as disciples. Clicking the buttons below will show you some info on how you can give to your church now.

Prayer for Offering

Loving God, may our sense of belonging within a community of faith nurture the longing to be your faithful servants. Teach us to build a partnership with your Spirit that advances the ways of generosity and grace. Accept our giving and receive our gifts. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture Reading – Matthew 20:29-34

As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

“Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.

Kids’ Activity

Have kids use this activity during the sermon video (below). For this activity you will need a blindfold, a blank sheet of paper, and markers or pencil crayons. Examples of what could be used for a blindfold:

• Sleep mask (do people still use these?)
• T-shirt tied loosely around eyes
• A strip of paper tapped around the head.
• Eyes closed tightly with the promise not to peek

First, set out the paper and markers/pencil crayons in front of each child so they are able to reach without seeing. Have the children put on their blindfold of choice and have them start drawing a crowd of people. Once they start becoming restless, they can take the blindfold off. Have them look at what they have drawn. Turn the paper over and have the children a crowd of people again with the blindfold off.

Possible reflection/discussion questions:
– Have the children compare the pictures.
– Was it easier with our without the blindfold? What difference did it make?
– How did it feel trying to draw with the blindfold? Was it frustrating?
– Can you image the joy of the men Jesus healed? What do you think they said when they could see?

Sermon

Contemplative Prayer

Take some time to prayerfully respond to Jesus question as though he is directly asking you: “What do you want me to do for you?” If you like, you can play the audio below for some instrumental music to accompany your contemplation and prayer.

Benediction

May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.

Announcements

• To stay up to date, please, subscribe to your church’s email list by contacting the office.
• Wednesday, April 1st: Another Bible Convo on Matthew 8-13 will be posted on this site. Read the chapters, listen in, and participate in the comments or by calling up a friend.
• Tuesday, March 31st: Youth Zoom Call at 7:00pm. Link for the call and instructions will be emailed out.
  Holy Community:
• Wednesday, April 1st: Lectio Divina via Zoom at 7:30pm. Link for the call and instructions will be emailed out.
• Donations to the community cupboard are being encouraged in this time of need! Drop non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and maybe even toilet paper (!) off in the cupboard any time.
• Our benevolence fund can be given to anytime by designating gifts to that fund. If you are in need of a little financial help in this time, contact Gavin and we would love to offer help as we are able.
  Faith Covenant:
• Pastor Erik will be hosting a ZOOM meeting for this on Thursday at 10am. The link to join the meeting will be on our weekly email, simply follow the link to the meeting. This is an interactive bible study on 1 Peter along with prayer for the church. All are welcome to join in.
• Prayer night has been moved to Thursday instead of Tuesday as youth will be meeting on ZOOM the last Tuesday of March (when prayer night normally happens). There is so much to pray about. Feel free to join in. We will pray through scripture together and we will pray for our church and world. The link to join the meeting will be on our weekly email, simply follow that link to join the meeting. All are welcome to join in.

Doxology

Whether you are alone or with a few others, sing the doxology aloud to conclude your time of worship.

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