Third Sunday in Lent March 20, 2022
“Blessed are they who Hunger and Thirst” By Hyatt Moore
The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music Words of Welcome The Peace
Alain
Deuxième Fantaisie
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
Call to Worship Come and worship the God of Blessing: The one who blesses us in divine grace! Bless us in your divine grace, bless us in your love! Bless the bread on the tables, the hands of those who work. Bless the dreams of those who resist, who still sing and hope. Bless us as we walk in your ways, give us your strength and vision, May your peace give an end to death, to hate, and to all injustice; Bless us as we seek the fullness of life. Bless us and all of your children. {adapted from Claudio Carvalhaes} Hymn God Almighty, We are Waiting God Almighty, we are waiting for a Savior to appear. Meet us in our desert journey; give a sign that you are near: burning bushes, parted waters, food aplenty in the wild. As we look for signs and wonders, help us see you in a child.
God Incarnate, we are waiting for the feast day of your birth. Looking back and looking forward to the Christ's return to earth. Help us to proclaim the gospel, 'til the world is reconciled. Let us set your holy table for each woman, man, and child. God the Spirit, we are waiting for your presence here and now. Humbled by our sinful weakness, at your mercy we will bow. Search our hearts and make us ready, speak in language strong and mild, help each one of us, your people, to receive you like a child. Prayer of Confession It's simple - love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. And it is so terribly complex at the same time. Let us confess how we have not loved as we are loved. God of Blessing, you invite us to ask for living water, water that satisfies our thirst. You are that living water poured out for us. We confess that we seek to quench our thirst in other ways. We drink deeply, choosing these sweet waters that turn to fear and bitterness in our bellies. We confess that rather than turning to you in our need, we set out to be brave. Seeing the fear outside ourselves, we try to force out fear by casting out others. Lord help us to drink deeply of your love, remembering it is perfect love that casts out fear. Strengthen us to practice love, belonging, and forgiveness to ourselves, those close to us, and those we overlook. Fill us with living water until it overflows. {silence for prayer}
Words of Assurance God knows our hunger and our thirst. God knows our meekness. God has heard our prayers and comes to us to sweeten our bitterness with hope and love to move through our pain and darkness with the light of mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen. {adapted from Thom Shuman and Claudio Carvalhaes}
To Hear the Word and Reflect Music Ministry Children’s Time
Scripture Sermon
Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing This, this is where children belong Welcomed as part of the worshiping throng Water, God's Word, bread and cup, prayer and song. This is where children belong. Matthew 5:1-12 This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Thirsting for Righteousness
arr. Moklebust TFWS #2233
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz
To Respond in Faith Hymn All Who Hunger All who hunger, gather gladly; holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wandering. Here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.
TFWS #2126
All who hunger, never strangers; seeker, be a welcome guest. Come from restlessness and roaming. Here, in joy, we keep the feast. We that once were lost and scattered in communion's love have stood. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good. All who hunger, sing together; Jesus Christ is living bread. Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led. Blest are those who from this table live their lives in gratitude. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good. Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “PUMC” to 609-542-2192, or scan the QR code. Invitation to Offering We provide options to give electronically, or you can place your gift in the offering plate. • Give on our church website, scan the QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory
Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
Brahms
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God, above ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
UMH #95
Prayer of Thanksgiving
And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn Grace Greater Than Our Sin Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
UMH #365
Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. {Refrain} Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. {Refrain} Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? {Refrain} Benediction Postlude
Erbarm’ dich mein, o Herre Gott (BWV 721)
Bach
Sharing in Our Worship Today Preacher: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Acolyte:
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Michele Tuck Ponder Iona Harding, Alex Hoshino Andrew Aryeetey
Musicians: Ushers: Sound & Video:
Rich Spotts, Handbell Choir Joe and Sunny Paun Bill Gardner, Ian Macdonald
For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/
Sunday, March 20 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 9:15 am Lenten Book Study Group 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class in Room 203 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Compassion Camp Online 3:00 pm Love Lives On 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group 3:00 pm Combined Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room Monday, March 21 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Circle of Care 7:00 pm Stewardship & Finance Tuesday, March 22 12:00 pm Tuesday Lenten Prayer Service 12:30 pm Tuesday Lenten Discussion Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:45 pm Wesley Foundation College Ministry in the Sanford Davis Room 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, March 23 9:00 am Love Lives On via Zoom 4:30 pm Children's Choir in the Sanctuary 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Thursday, March 24 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:30 pm Staff Parish Relations Committee Saturday, March 26 2:00 pm Benefit Concert for Ukraine Sunday, March 27 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 9:15 am Lenten Book Study Group 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class in Room 203 10:15 am Children's Ministries in the Formation Wing 11:30 am Compassion Camp Online 11:45 am Handbell Choir in the Music Room 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room 4:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:45 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Sanctuary & Sanford Davis Room
Easter Egg Hunt for All Ages
April 9 | 11:30 am
Princeton and Kingston UMC’s are partnering together for an Easter Egg Hunt! There will be music led by Tom Shelton, crafts for all ages (Yes! Even grown-ups!), coffee and snacks, and of course a search for eggs! This event is open to all of our young, and young at heart, and will be held at Kingston UMC. Please register by April 3rd at princetonumc.org/events.
Lenten Book Study Group
Sundays in Lent | 9:15 am
Join us, this season of Lent, as we read and discuss Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Led by KUMC congregant and Princeton Theological Seminary professor Fred Simmons, the group will run from 9:15 am-10 am on Sunday mornings from 3/6/22-4/10/22. Here is the Zoom link to join. All are welcome.
Supporting the People of Ukraine The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine. The best route to support these crisis relief ministries is through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). You can write a check and put it in the offering plate or mail your contribution to the church office. You can also give at princetonumc.org/givepumc. Please designate UMCOR Advance #982450-Ukraine in the online comment field or check memo line.
Ordering Lilies for Easter Sunday We will be decorating the church with lilies to enhance the beauty of our altar for Easter Sunday. Orders are due on April 8th. Order online or contact tyler@princetonumc.org for more information.
Wesley Foundation at Princeton Are you looking for a progressive Christian college ministry? We'd love to have you! Email Pastor Skitch (skitch@princetonumc.org) or Grecia Hernandez (ghperez@princeton.edu) for more details about our Tuesday night Bible study!
Prayer Concerns Family & Friends of Mia Bezar Joyce Carr The Pisani Family Phyllis Harvey Jill Verga Tabor Christine Born
Bill Desantis Donald Jones Gus Macdonald Family of Tony Arnold Vicki Family of Gladys Keidel
Today’s flowers are given in honor of
The Live Streaming Production Team By Barbara Figge Fox
The People of Ukraine Cindy Bennett Daniel DeVido Todd Olivia The Marrow Family
Have Prayer Concerns? For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net, 609-497-0337. Please notify Pastor Jae Hong at jae@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.