The Fourth Sunday in Lent
LENT
Lent is a season of self-examination, reflection and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. Though it is an ancient tradition, it powerfully speaks to our modern condition because it calls us not to observe a ritual, but to engage in renewal. As theologian Robert Webber puts it, “We too easily forget our Maker and Redeemer, replacing God with things and ambition. Lent is the season that...calls us back to God, back to basics, back to the spiritual realities of life. It calls us to put to death the sin and the indifference we have in our hearts toward God and our fellow persons. And it beckons us to enter once again into the joy of the Lord–the joy of a new life born out of a death to the old life.”
REFLECTION
This is the portrayal of God, whose goodness, love, forgiveness, care, joy and compassion have no limits at all. Jesus presents God’s generosity by using all the imagery that his culture provides, while constantly transforming it.
— Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son
Rather than using his power to distance himself from us, Jesus uses it to approach us. He follows his own commandment to love your neighbor as yourself—often to his detriment, I might add—by pursuing us with great tenacity in spite of our differences. He jumps a lot of hurdles to reach us.
— Christena Cleveland, Disunity in Christ
COLLECT
Undignified God, spirit of dangerous feasts, inviting the unclean to your table: find us in the far country of hopelessness and greed; free us from the prison of resentment and envy and bring us back to life; through Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgy by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
God’s reach is endless.
God’s mercy is unstoppable.
God’s grace is lavish.
God’s love is constant.
God’s wisdom is vast.
God’s hope is stubborn.
God’s presence is here—
with us, among us, moving through us.
Breathe easy. Breathe deeply.
We are in God’s house. Let us worship the One who welcomes us home.
PRAISE
SONGS
We Will Feast in the House of Zion
Sandra McCracken, Joshua Moore, 2015
Nothing Can Separate Us
Christy Nockels, Matt Redman, Todd Fields, 2010
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
Joel 2:13
Return to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
The prodigal son isn’t given a name, but we know their name. It sounds like ours. And we know their story. It sounds like ours. For who among us hasn’t burned a bridge? Who among us hasn’t forgotten that we belong to one another? Who among us has not ached for home? The prodigal son isn’t given a name, but we know their name. Forgive us God. We want to come home. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
– John 1:14, 16
Friends, we worship a prodigal God—a God who is extravagant in mercy and excessive in grace. For no matter how many times we run, no matter how far we go or how lost we get, God is standing at the end of the driveway waiting for us. The doors are open. The feast is for you. This grace is extravagant.
This is the Good News!
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Matthew 18:20 (Peace Be With You)
For the City Church CG's March 18th, 2020 · Minna Choi, 2020
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Matthew 19:13-14, NRSV
Little children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: Wherever you are, wherever you go, may you know that God loves you, and is with you, always and forever. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG OF RENEWAL
10,000 Reasons
Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, 2011
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
PASTORAL PRAYER
SONG
The Lord’s Prayer
Setting by Diana Gameros, 2022
SCRIPTURE
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, NRSV
Daniel Oliveira, Reader
All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So Jesus told them this parable:
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Dr. Paula Williams* (she/her)
Full to the Brim: You are Worthy
*Paula Stone Williams is a Pastoral Counselor and internationally known speaker on gender equity, LGBTQ advocacy, and religious tolerance. She is lives in Boulder County, Colorado. Paula has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, TED, Red Table Talk, People Magazine, and many other media outlets. Her TED talks have had over six million views. Paula’s memoir, As A Woman, What I Learned About Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy After I Transitioned published by Simon & Schuster, is out now!
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
Eternal Source of Love, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us— our selves, our time, and our possessions—signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us— Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Come All Ye Pining, Hungry Poor
Brian T. Murphy, 2007
COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. 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 to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
Karl Digerness, ©2015
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
SONG
Jesus What a Friend for Sinners
Rowland Hugh Pritchard, 1855
COMMUNION PRAYER
Loving God, we thank you for preparing a feast for us and welcoming us home. Send us out in the assurance of your Love, that our city might know the welcome of Jesus. Amen.
BENEDICTION
Adapted from a Benediction by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
As you leave this place, may you be awestruck by the beauty of this world. May you laugh, and may it be contagious. May you overflow with love for those around you. May you be effusive with hope and quick to point out joy. And in all of your living, and breathing, and being, may you find yourself full to the brim with God’s Holy Spirit. In the name of the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
MUSICIANS
Lora Libby, vocals
Maria Long, vocals
Minna Choi, vocals
Jeff Marrs, drums
Adam Shulman, piano
Jason Muscat, bass