March 15, 2026
Prelude: Fantasiestück in g minor
Nielsen
Angela Bloemeke, clarinet
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 23]
The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want. He makes us lie down in green pastures; he leads us beside still waters;
He restores our soul. He leads us in right paths for his name’s sake.
You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies; you anoint our heads with oil; our cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life.
Let us worship the LORD!
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Hymn 263)
Smith/Welsh folk melody
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.
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.
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.
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 splendor of light hideth Thee!
Confession
Shepherding God, you lead the blind from darkness to light and accommodate our weakness. When we share your message, forgive us for not taking time to get to know the people we are trying to reach. Forgive us when we are more interested in being right than in being kind. Help us discern the things we may be doing that get in the way of people seeing your love through us, and help us value others’ faith and growth more than our own opinions and freedoms. Amen.
Silence
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
Palmer/Mason
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine;
Now hear me while I pray, take all my sin away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology (Hymn 592)
Ken/Genevan Psalter
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.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Shirley Russell
Old Testament: Isaiah 42:14–21
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 8:1–13
Open Our Eyes, Lord
Cull
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Sermon: When Knowing Becomes Love
Scott Starbuck
Focus: Love, not knowledge, is the measure of mature faith and the true builder of the church.
Response: Christ, Be our Light
Farrell
Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.
Please join in singing the Refrain:
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us. Make us your living voice. (Refrain)
Longing for food, many are hungry. Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are fed. (Refrain)
Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come. (Refrain)
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 6:23
Sending: Lord of Light, Your Name Outshining (Hymn 425)
Lewis/Taylor
Lord of light, your name outshining all the stars and suns of space,
Use our talents in your kingdom as the servants of your grace;
Use us to fulfill your purpose in the gift of Christ your Son:
Abba, as in highest heaven, so on earth your will be done.
Grant that knowledge, still increasing, at Your feet may lowly kneel;
With Your grace our triumphs hallow, with Your charity our zeal;
Lift the nations from the shadows to the gladness of the sun:
Abba, as in highest heaven, so on earth Your will be done.
By the prayers of faithful watchers, never silent day or night;
By the cross of Jesus, bringing peace to all and healing light;
By the love that passes knowledge, making all your children one:
Abba, as in highest heaven, so on earth your will be done.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Presto
Fischer
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
