Livestream broadcast will be available at 10:45 AM: (Please note that the “Order of Worship” below is an edited shorter version of the Sunday Bulletin)
“REFLECTIONS”
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
March 15, 2026
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST / PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
OFFICE COORDINATOR: Jodi Hargreaves
SCRIPTURES READER: Theresa Bacchetto
PIANO/ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We are gathered today to worship on land that is treaty 6 people. For thousands of years, they have lived on this land, honouring the Creator and living with respect for creation. We acknowledge their stewardship of the land and their relationship with the land and its plants and animals, and the lakes and streams with their life forms throughout the ages. We accept the responsibility we have to nurture and protect this legacy. Used with permission from Gathering: Lent/Easter 2023; Jeanne Wilson
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
CANDLE LITURGY:Lent 4 (3 candles are lit before the service) Sophie Maunula
Who can we trust when we can't see the way forward? We are fearful, but we go forward in faith. We trust in God who protects and leads us. Let us journey through the shadows toward the light. (1 candle is extinguished.) Used with permission from Gathering Lent/Easter 2014; Cindy Randall
Sung Response: VU 108 “Throughout these Lenten Days and Nights” Verse 4
4. And though the road is hard and steep,
the Spirit ever calls us on
through Calvary's dying, dark and deep,
until we see the coming Dawn.
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
We come in worship, seeking God's guidance and love. May this time of worship fill us with the Spirit, to restore our faith and our hope in God's presence.
Although we are well-intended, we need God's word to renew our direction and commitment. May this time of worship strengthen our hearts to follow God's way.
God calls us to support each other and draw on the example of those who went before. May this time of worship comfort us with the truth of God's love throughout the ages.
In worship, let us welcome God into our hearts. In worship, let us affirm our love of God and God's love for us Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026 Gill Le Fevre
2. OPENING PRAYER: God of all love, we travel up and down the daily routines in our lives, and we know you are with us. We ask you to open our hearts, minds, and spirits to embrace your loving presence in this worship time today, so that we may go out and share your love in the ups and downs of our daily routines. Amen. Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; Kate Gregory
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN VU 120 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
1. O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
remain for ever near me, my Saviour and my friend:
I shall not fear the journey if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.
2. O let me feel you near me: the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me, around me and within;
but, Jesus, then draw nearer and shield my soul from sin.
3. O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
now speak, and make me listen, O guardian of my soul.
4. O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you,
that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Saviour and my friend.
5. Responsive Reading Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd… THAT'S RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want … THAT'S SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures… THAT'S REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters… THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul… THAT'S HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness… THAT'S GUIDANCE!
For his name's sake… THAT'S PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… THAT'S CHALLENGE!
I will fear no evil… THAT'S ASSURANCE!
For thou art with me… THAT' FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me… THAT'S SHELTER!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies… THAT'S HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil… THAT'S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over… THAT'S ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life… THAT'S BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord… THAT'S SECURITY!
Forever… THAT'S ETERNITY!
6. PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God whose gift is grace: by anointing us with your grace, you reveal to us the ways we can change this world by proclaiming your Good News. Yet instead of embracing this call, sometimes we fear its impact on our lives. Your news of an extravagant love that knows no limits directly challenges this world's vision of profit and loss. May your grace fill us, so we may rise to this challenge, our fears gone, and proclaim God is with us! Amen. Used with permission from Gathering Lent Easter 2026; Sandy Ferguson
7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Surely goodness and faithful love follow us all the days of our lives. For these gifts are already ours through the grace and the power of Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God. Amen. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
8. SUNG RESPONSE: VU 642 “The Lord's My Shepherd”
1. The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;
he makes me down to lie in pastures green;
he leadeth me,
the quiet waters by.
2. My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
even for his own name's sake.
3. Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me;
and thy rod and staff me comfort still.
4. My table thou has furnished
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
5. Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me,
and in God's house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.
9. Affirmation of Faith: “The Nicene Creed” VU 920 We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
in accordance with the Scriptures;
On the third day he rose again
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
10. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Called to live in hope; invited to abide in joy, let us share the blessings we have so richly received from God. Let us present our morning offering From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
11. OFFERTORY Tune Franconia (VU 542)
These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith express.
We offer them most lovingly,
and thus our hearts are blessed.
O loving God receive,
these gifts we gladly give
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live. Used with permission from Gathering Lent Easter 2013
12. OFFERING PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Creator God, we thank you for the ability to share our time, talent, and money to further your work in the world. We ask that you bless these gifts that they may provide for our neighbours both near and far. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; Marie Slivocka
Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.
E-transfers can be sent to: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net answer to security question is: “payment”
13. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:
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 and ever. AMEN.
14. HYMN 635 VU “He Leadeth Me”
1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. Refrain:
He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By his own hand he leadeth me!
His faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me!
2. Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
by waters calm, o'er troubled sea,
still 'tis his hand that leadeth me. Refrain
3. Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
nor ever murmur nor repine,
content, whatever lot I see,
since 'tis my God that leadeth me. Refrain
4. And when my task on earth is done,
when by thy grace the victory's won,
even death's cold wave I will not flee,
since God through Jordan leadeth me. Refrain
15. BLESSING:
As Christ's light has led us here, so now Christ's light leads us into the world.
Go with the light, go to be light. We will brighten the world with God's love. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
16. THREE FOLD AMEN
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
1 Samuel 16: 1 - 13
Responsive Reading: Psalm 23
Ephesians 5: 8 - 14
The Gospel of John 9: 1 - 41
Next Sunday: Fifth Sunday in Lent March 22, 2026: Ezekiel 37 :1 - 14
Psalm 130; Romans 8: 6 - 11; John 11: 1 - 45.
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