MARCH 9, 2025
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Near to the Heart of God | by Abby Gillette
CalltoWorship
Inthedarknessthereisalight. Inthewildernessthereisavoice.
Yourlove,OGod,leadsustoyou. Yourwisdomleadsustolife.
adaptedfromSteveGarnaas-Holmes
GraciousGod,beourguidingstar.Beourrisingdawn. Prepareyourwayinus,thatwemayworshipandserveinlove.
PrayerofConfession
TheprophetcallsustopreparethewayoftheLord,tomaketheroad straightandsmooth,ahighwayfitforourGod Tofillinthevalleys,and leveloffthehills,tosmoothouttheruts,andclearouttherocks.
Asweconsiderthewildernessofthisworld,whatpotholesandbumpsin theroadareourstosmooth?
Asweconsiderthewildernessofourrelationshipswithothers,whereare therevalleysthatneedfillingin?
Asweconsiderthewildernessofourownlives,hearts,andspirits,what rocksneedtobeclearedout?
AsweconsiderthewildernessofourabidingconnectionwithGod,what rutsneedtobesmoothed?
WordsofAssurance
God,ourcomfort,ourhealerpreparesawayandmovesintoourhearts andourworld, sothatGod’sglorymightbeseenbyall. InthenameofJesusChristweareforgiven. InthenameofJesusChristweareforgiven.ThanksbetoGod.Alleluia, Amen!
TOHEARTHEWORDANDREFLECT
Acolytes - Sidnee Mezazem, Harper Sam Liturgists - Heather Hadley, Mary Fitchett
Reader - Ian Griffiths
Musicians- Handbell Choir, Julia Hanna
Ushers - Rich Hadley, David Bell, James Frisbee, Ulanda Frisbee
ScriptureReading Matt.25:37-40;Luke4:14-21
ThisistheWordofLife ThanksbetoGod.
Sermon Rev.JennySmithWalz
TORESPONDINFAITH
PrayersofthePeople
TheLord'sPrayer
OurFather,whoartinheaven,hallowedbethyname.Thykingdomcome; thywillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdaily bread;andforgiveusourtrespassesasweforgivethosewhotrespass againstus.Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil.For thineisthekingdom,thepower,andthegloryforever.Amen.
Offertory
AuthorofJustice LloydLarson
Hymn Doxology UMH#95
PrayerofThanksgiving
ANDSCATTERSTOBEINTHEWORLD
Benediction
inEnglish,thenSpanish
PRAYERCONCERNS
Prayers for those who are without homes. Prayers for those struggling with their physical and mental health
Prayers for our country’s leaders during this tumultuous time May they make decisions that benefit our communities as a whole.
Prayers for people in all places in war. Pray for their leaders to come to peaceful resolutions.
Prayers for the immigrants and refugees, and for all people fleeing danger in search of hope and a better life.
HAVEPRAYERCONCERNS?
ForourPrayerChain,callYvonneMacdonaldat609-577-8369 oremailheratyvonneemac@verizonnet EmailPastorTaylerNecoecheaat tayler@princetonumcorgwhenyouorafamilymemberisinthehospitalorinneed ofapastoralcall.
Weareadiversefaithcommunity, engagedinenliveningspirituallythirstypeople tojoyfullyrespondtoGod’slove andgrowasdisciplesofChrist, sothattogetherwemayexperiencethefullnessoflife
COLGATEUNIVERSITYCHORUS
TheColgateUniversityChoruswillpresentadynamicprogramshowcasinga rangeofchoralworksatPrincetonUMConFriday,March14at7pm PleaseJoin usinwelcomingthem!
STONEBRIDGECOMMUNION
YouareinvitedtotheStonebridgeMethodistscommunionserviceonMarch9,2 pm atStonebridge,100HollinsheadSpringRd,Skillman,NJintheClubRoom Rev JennySmithWalzwillpreside Allarewelcome!Contact:postberg1@aolcom
LISTENINGTOOURCHURCHCOMMUNITY
JoinusonSunday,March16,11:30to12:45,intheFellowshipHalloronZoom,for "HolyListeningandHospitalityinAction."Wewillexploretheconnectionbetween hospitality,holylistening,andjustice We’llpracticetheartofholylisteningand reflectonhowlisteningcancreatespaceformercyandhealinginour relationshipsandcommunities.Lunchwillbeprovided.
