Prelude from 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 by Dmitri Shostakovich “Prelude No. 3, in G Major” from 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 by Dmitri Shostakovich  

Call to Worship

Processional NCH #222 My Song Is Love Unknown

My song is love unknown, my Savior's love to me, Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake my God should take frail flesh and die? My God should take frail flesh and die?

God left the richest throne salvation to bestow; But Christ as flesh and bone the world refused to know. But, O my Friend, my Friend indeed, who at my need did life expend; who at my need did life expend.

Sometimes they threw down palms and sweetest praises sang. Hosannas and glad psalms through streets and markets rang. Then “Crucify!” is all their breath, for blood and death they thirst and cry; for blood and death they thirst and cry.

What has my Sovereign done? What makes this rage and spite? Christ gave new strength to run, restored the gift of sight. Sweet injuries! Yet they at these themselves displease, and 'gainst Christ rise; themselves displease, and 'gainst Christ rise.

I sing my plain belief, one song my heart outpours: Never was pain nor grief, never was love like yours. This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend; I all my days could gladly spend.

Please be seated

Unison Prayer

For your embracing love, a love that sees all we are and forgives us; a love that sees our joys and sorrows and embraces us; a love that knows no ending or beginning; the love that could die for others and did; we give you thanks, present, here, In your light.

Assurance of Pardon

Passing of the Peace

Please be seated

Gospel Reading Psalm 23

Children’s Message

Musical Praise “He Shall Feed His Flock/Come Unto Him” From Handel’s Messiah Karen Maust soprano solo  

Sermon

Hymn NCH #223 What Wondrous Love is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul! O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! that Christ should come in bliss to bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul, to bear the heavy cross for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am, while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing; I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on. and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on! I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on!

Please be seated

Prayer for Others and Ourselves

The Lord’s Prayer/ The Prayer of Jesus

Musical Praise “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi” by Giacomo Puccini James Cesare, solo trumpet

Invitation to Give

Offertory

We bless thy holy name, glad praises we sing. We praise thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator; in grateful devotion our tribute we bring. We lay it before thee, we come and adore thee, We bless thy holy name, glad praises we sing. Amen

Brief Announcements

Closing Hymn NCH # 547 Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.   My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures; God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures..

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.  

Please be seated

Benediction and Sending Forth

Choral Blessing “Amen” from St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach

Postlude “Fugue No. 3, in G Major” from 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 by Dmitri Shostakovich