CANDLE LITURGY   Lent 5 - The Candle of Health
Two candles plus the Christ candle are lit.
On this fifth Sunday of Lent, we light a candle to pray for wholeness and health for all living things. We rest in the glow of that candle now.
(a moment of silence)
As we consider how precious health can be, we acknowledge our concerns about the various illnesses that can change so much in our world. We grieve sicknesses that affect the body, the mind, and the spirit of those who are afflicted by them. We grieve the present state of our natural environment and how its overall decline has changed how we live and how we might live.
As the shadows of Lent move ever closer, we extinguish our candle of health, just for today, as we commit ourselves to healing what is sick and mending what is broken, so that we can all find wholeness.

All sing: VU 108 “Throughout these Lenten days and nights”  (verse 1 only)
1.  Throughout these Lenten days and nights we turn to walk the inward way,
where, meeting Christ, our guide and light, we live in hope till Easter Day.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
When we have been hurt and lost,  God brings us laughter and joy.
When our lives reach a dead end,  God opens a way forward.
When the rivers of our lives drys up,  God sends living water to quench our thirst.
God has done great things for us!  Let us rejoice!
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

2. OPENING PRAYER:
God of Love, you know our lives inside and out- the times of joy and laughter, and the times of loss and pain. You accompanied our ancestors of faith into exile and then journeyed with them back to the Promised Land. Jesus our sibling, you wept at the grave of Lazarus and then you celebrated at the dinner table with your resurrected friend. Be with us in times of plenty and times of want, and let us rejoice in your presence, for you see us and care for us. In the name of the Embracing Spirit, we pay. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

3. LEARNING TIME:

4.HYMN: “Come let us Sing of a wonderful love”  VU 574
1.  Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love dwells in the heart of the Father above.

2.  Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost, saving, redeeming at measureless cost.

3.  Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love dwells in the heart of the Father above.

4.  Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be lowly and humble, a learner of thee.

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
God of creation, you care for each and every one of your creations, from the land and air to the birds, animals, marine life, and the ones you have created in your own image, humankind. When we hurt, you hold us. When we are alone, you come to us. When we are lost, you welcome us home. We gather now to remember with thanksgiving these gifts of grace. We ask you to touch our hearts and open our spirits to your word as we receive your call to action now. Amen.

6. SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Isaiah 43: 16 - 21
I am the one who cut a path through the mighty ocean. 17 I sent an army to chase you with chariots and horses; now they lie dead, unable to move. They are like an oil lamp with the flame snuffed out.
Forget the Past
The LORD said:
18 Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. 19 I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams[a] in thirsty lands. 20 Every wild animal honors me, even jackals[b] and owls. I provide water in deserts-streams in thirsty lands for my chosen people. 21 I made them my own nation, so they would praise me.

Responsive Reading  Psalm 126 VU  page 850
REFRAIN 2:  “We praise the One who gave the growth, with voices full and strong ”

When God brought Zion's captives home, it seemed to us like a dream.
But then our mouths were full of laughter, and our tongues uttered shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations: 'God has done great things for them.'
Truly God has done great things for us, and therefore we rejoice.  REFRAIN

Restore our fortunes, O God, as streams refresh the Negev.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed for sowing,
shall come home with songs of joy, bringing in their sheaves.  REFRAIN

7. REFLECTION:

8. HYMN:  “In the Bulb” VU 703
1.  In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

2.  There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

3.  In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

9. SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Philippians 3: 4b - 14
4 although I could. Others may brag about themselves, but I have more reason to brag than anyone else. 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old,[a] and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses. 6 And I was so eager that I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.
7 But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, 11 so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
Running toward the Goal
12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13 My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14 I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.

John 12: 1 - 8
At Bethany
12 Six days before Passover Jesus went back to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from death. 2 A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there. 3 Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume[a] and poured it on Jesus' feet. She wiped them with her hair, and the sweet smell of the perfume filled the house. 4 A disciple named Judas Iscariot[b] was there. He was the one who was going to betray Jesus, and he asked, 5 “Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?” 6 Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me.”

10. REFLECTION:

11. HYMN: “Be Thou My Vision” VU 642
1.  Be thou my vision, O joy of my heart;
naught be all else to me save that thou art,
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping thy presence my light.

2.  Be thou my wisdom, my calm in all strife;
I ever with thee, and thou in my life;
thou loving parent, thy child may I be,
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

3.  Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower;
raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power.

4.  Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always;
thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

5.  Great God of heaven, after victory won,
may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O ruler of all.

12. PRAYER OF YEARNING:
Compassionate God, we do not always see the harvest of joy that we sow from our tears. Some losses take hold of us and we dwell in disappointment and grief. We don't always know what to think of you. We want to embrace new life, hope, and joy, but don't always know how. Bless us with your merciful help, that we might walk from our tombs like Lazarus and sit by Jesus' side eating and laughing. Help us kneel at Jesus' feet in love and commitment, as we celebrate our new lives. Come to us, healing God, and renew us and our love for you. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

13.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
God promises to do great things for us. God comforts us and brings us to new life. Blessed are you, our God of compassion and hope. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

14. SUNG RESPONSE: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”  VU 264
1.  Immortal, invisible, God only wise;
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes;
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2.  Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3.  To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

4.  Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
'tis only the splendour of light hideth thee!

15. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: “A New Creed ” VU 918
We are not alone,
we live in God's world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
     The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998

16.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Let us share our gifts from our deep gratitude to Jesus, our savior, who answers our sorrow with joy and our tears with comfort. Let us share our gifts out of thanksgiving to God and out of love for the world. As we present our morning offering.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

17. 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.
     Used with permission from Gathering Lent Easter 2013

18.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Dearest Friend, you chose a path of suffering to reach out to us in our suffering. Use us and our gifts to extend your love and comfort to reach people in places of loss and grief. Use us and our gifts this day to bring hope and compassion to those who weep, that they may know your miraculous power and your fullness of life. Use us and our gifts to bring shouts of joy to those who weep with bitter tears.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

19.  PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER

20. HYMN:  “May the God of Hope” VU 424
1.  May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Refrain:
     Praying, let us work for peace, singing, share our joy with all,
     working for a world that's new, faithful when we hear Christ's call.

2.  May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
to a world restored, to human life renewed.  Refrain

21.  BLESSING
Jesus left the house of Mary , Martha, and Lazarus on his way to Jerusalem.
Jesus left this house of comfort and friendship, knowing the deep love of his disciple Mary.
So let us leave this house of peace today, knowing we will meet Jesus in Jerusalem soon.
And while we travel from here to there, May we carry fragrant love for our brother, savior, and beloved friend.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

22.  THREE FOLD AMEN.

Next Sunday:  Sunday of the Passion/ Palm Sunday
        April 13, 2025:
         Isaiah 50:4-9a;  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29;
         Philippians 2:5-11;  Luke 19:28-408.

1. TUESDAY, April 1, 2025  BIBLE STUDY  10:00 AM  Board Room  


2. TUESDAY, April 1, 2025  HANDBELL PRACTICE  6:30 PM.  Choir Room  We always welcome new members.  If you enjoy music please join us.


3. SUNDAY, April 6, 2025  “Fifth Sunday in Lent”  Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “REFLECTIONS!”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


4. WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2025  LENTEN LUNCH  12:00 NOON.  Wesley Hall  SPEAKER: Pastor Sheldon Gattinger - Zion Lutheran Church  Free will Offering to the Food Bank  COME JOIN US FOR A TIME OF LENTEN FELLOWSHIP


5. WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2025  MEETING OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD  7:00 PM.  Board Room  All Board Members are requested to attend


6. SUNDAY, April 13, 2025  “Sunday of the Passion/ Palm Sunday”  Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “REFLECTIONS!”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


7. SUNDAY, April 20, 2025  “EASTER SUNDAY”  Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “REFLECTIONS!”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


8. SUNDAY, April 20, 2025  “SUNDAY BRUNCH”   11:30 AM - 1:00 PM   ALL ARE WELCOME!


9. SUNDAY, April 27, 2025  “Second Sunday of Easter”   11:30 AM - 2:00 PM   Wesley Hall  “ANNUAL MEETING” - To Follow Church Service  Muffins and Coffee   ALL CHURCH MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND