BETHANY SERVICE March 1, 2026 10:30 AM
WELCOME AND GREETINGS
PRELUDE “Savior, When in Dust to Thee” Tillie Phillippy
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
People: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Leader: He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
People: He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Leader: The Lord is your keeper; your shade at your right hand.
People: The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night.
Leader: The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
People: The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on
and forevermore. (Psalm 121)
INVOCATION
*HYMN “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” #384
PASTORAL PRAYER
Presenting Our Gifts to the Lord
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
BLESSING THE READING AND HEARING OF THE WORD
EPISTLE READING Romans 4:1-5,13-17 Barb Laraia
GOSPEL READING John 3:1-17 Barb Laraia
Leader: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON “The Gift of New Birth” Pastor Dave
*HYMN “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” #540
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, help us.
When we have run away, when we have turned our backs on love,
when we have sought immediate satisfaction and not long-term
healing, help us.
Merciful God, forgive us.
When we have been selfish, when we have been mean,
when we have neglected the cries of others, forgive us.
Powerful God, heal us.
When we are so broken we cannot move,
when we don’t know how to stem the bleeding of our wounds,
when we are too ashamed to seek community, heal us.
Give us the courage, the strength, and the hope to accept your grace and
embrace your call in Christ.
Amen.
(A time of Silent Confession)
WORDS OF GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION #15
THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” #664
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “For Me to Live is Jesus” Tillie Phillippy