LEARNING TO WALK in the Dark
WORSHIP LEADERS
Rev. Christopher A. Henry
Senior Pastor
Rev. Michael M. Samson
Associate Pastor for Adult Faith Formation
Rev. Sara B. Dorrien-Christians
Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministries
Vivian Baker
Ashley Cochran Liturgists
Sanctuary Choir
Dr. Michelle Louer
Director of Music and Fine Arts
Dr. John Allegar
Organist and Assistant Director of Music and Fine Arts
All music in this service used by permission: CCLI License #719352; OneLicense #A-715008; or public domain.
PROCESSION
Acolytes
Adalena Dykstra
Marco Elia
Element Bearer
Dixie Bibb
Ewer Bearer
Suzanne Baach
WELCOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Following today’s Word with Children, children ages 4 through grade 8 may remain with their families or depart for Children’s Choir. If departing, please assure your child is wearing a green nametag. Following the sermon and during the Moment for Silent Meditation, all children from children’s choir will return to the Sanctuary to participate in the Sacrament of Holy Communion with their families. Childcare is available on the second floor for infants through age 3.
VISUAL AND HEARING ASSISTANCE
Please speak to an usher if you need a large print bulletin, large print hymnal, or an assistive listening device.
March 16, 2025
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
We Come Together as God’s People
Prelude Variations sur un thème de Clément Jannequin, JA 118 Jehan Alain Dr. John Allegar, organ (1911-1940)
Welcome
Choral Call to Worship
Rev. Christopher A. Henry
The Lord Is Great (excerpt from The Creation) F.J. Haydn Sanctuary Choir; Dr. Michelle Louer, conductor (1732-1809)
The Lord is great, and great his might, his glory lasts forever, forevermore.
* Call to Worship
One: This time of worship is a time set apart,
Rev. Michael M. Samson
All: to lay down our burdens, to set aside our fears, to quiet our distractions.
One: This time of worship is a time of renewal,
All: to breathe deeply, to listen carefully, to reflect prayerfully.
One: This time of worship is a time of commitment,
All: to trust the God who creates us, to follow the Christ who calls us, to obey the Spirit who leads us.
* Prayer of Adoration
* Processional Hymn #470 O Day of Radiant Gladness ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN Invitation to Confession
Kyrie Kyrie (from Symphony, no. 9, II) Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) arr. Ruth Elaine Schram (b. 1956)
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Merciful God, forgive us.
We aren’t always comfortable with you: we whittle down your promises to make them easy, we draw boundaries around your love to make it manageable, we avoid your call to satisfy our own agendas. Help us, O God, to live into the mystery of you, open us to your truth, soak us in your love, and amaze us with your wonder. (Silent Prayer)
Assurance of God’s Grace
* Passing the Peace of Christ
* Hymn #171
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
We Experience God’s Word
The Word with Children
Prayer for Illumination
First Scripture Lesson Psalm 23 (p.
Anthem
O Radiant Dawn James MacMillan (b.
O Radiant Dawn, Splendour of eternal Light, Sun of Justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Isaiah had prophesied, ‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.’ Amen.
Second Scripture Lesson
John 3:16-21 (p. 968)
Sermon Rev. Christopher A. Henry
Who’s Afraid of the Light?
“And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”
(John 3:19)
Moment of Silent Meditation
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
We Give Thanks to God
Rev. Sara B. Dorrien-Christians
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy (from Deutsche Messe) Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
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, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
Communion of the People
Ushers will extend an invitation to receive communion by pew. Please come forward using the aisle to your right. All bread at all stations is gluten free.
Communion Anthem
Let us break bread together on our knees… Spiritual When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees… When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Durch dein Gefängnis, Gottes Sohn, muß uns die Freiheit kommen; Dein Kerker ist der Gnadenthron, die Freistatt aller Frommen; Denn gingst du nicht die Knechtschaft ein, müßt unsre Knechtshaft ewig sein.
Through your imprisonment, Son of God, must freedom come to us; Your cell is the throne of grace, the sanctuary of all the righteous. If you had not accepted servitude, our bondage would have been eternal.
Let us praise God together on our knees… When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Prayer after the Meal
Invitation to Discipleship and Generosity
Text: Johann Hermann Schein (1628) Music: chorale from St.
Offertory
Ingemisco tamquam reus, culpa rubet vultus meus; supplicanti parce, Deus.
Qui Mariam absolvisti, et latronem exaudisti, mihi quoque spem dedisti.
Preces meae non sunt digne, sed tu, bonus, fac benigne, ne perenni cremer igne.
Inter oves locum praesta, et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra.
Ingemisco (from Messa da Requiem) Giuseppe Verdi Will Upham, tenor (1813-1901)
I groan as a guilty one, and my face blushes with guilt; spare the supplicant, O God.
You, who absolved Mary Magdalene, and heard the prayer of the thief, have given me hope, as well.
My prayers are not worthy, but show mercy, O benevolent one, lest I burn forever in fire.
Give me a place among the sheep, and separate me from the goats, placing me on your right hand.
* Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
* Prayer of Dedication
We Go Forth to Serve
* Closing Hymn #361 How Firm a Foundation FOUNDATION
* Charge and Benediction Ashley Cochran
* Choral Benediction The Lord Is Great (excerpt from The Creation) F.J. Haydn
The Lord is great, and great his might, his glory lasts forever and evermore.
Postlude Toccata on Aberystwyth
David Bednall (b. 1979)
THE POWER OF PRAYER
Would you like one of our pastors to pray with you today? We invite you to come to Room 356 immediately following the 10 AM worship service for a short time of communion and prayer. You may also visit SecondChurch.org/Prayer to fill out a Prayer Request Form.
If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact:
Rev. Madison VanVeelen, Associate Pastor of Care MVanVeelen@SecondChurch.org
GIVING
SecondChurch.org/Give
Thanks to your faithful generosity, Second continues to reach thousands each year with the love of Christ. From worship and music, to our community involvement and groups for all ages—we are moving, reaching, inspiring, and loving our Church family and our community. To give today, you may do so through the envelopes in the pews or by texting “Give” to (833) 818-3036. You may also give through the QR code below or through the Tithe.ly App on the App Store. Thank you!
VISITING TODAY?
Thank you for worshiping with Second! Our Hospitality Team would love to connect and
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 23
Rev. Christopher A. Henry DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
Sacred
Arts
Series
Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn
MARCH 23 • 4 PM • SANCTUARY
5
9 AM • Sunday School for All Ages 10 AM • Sanctuary Worship 11:15 AM • Service of Wholeness and Communion • Room 356
4 PM • Sacred Arts Series Concert The Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn • Sanctuary 5 PM • Sunday Evening Lenten Service • Room 356 SecondChurch.org/Worship
Watch Sunday worship all week long at SecondChurch.org/Live
UPCOMING EVENTS
SecondChurch.org/Events
Contemplative Prayer Stations
Men@Second March Mania March 21 • 12 PM • Home of Bob Getts
Bread for the World Letter Writing March 23 & 30 • 11 AM • McFarland Hall Men's Monthly Fellowship March 25 • 6 PM • The Roost in Nora
South Africa Book Club March 25 • 7 PM • Zoom
Second Act Community and Cards April 1 • 12 - 3 PM • Room 356
Women@Second Evening of Fellowship April 1 • 6 - 8 PM • Home of Kathy Clark
Middlers Gathering April 1 • 7 - 8:30 PM • Blind Owl Brewery
Lake Fellow Celebration: Rev. David Kim April 6 • 8:15 and 10 AM Services Reception following 10 AM Service • McFarland Hall 8:15 AM • Chapel Worship • Room 356
March 17 - 23 • Room 356 • Open during building hours