John Calvin Presbyterian Church

1. My Song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me, 

love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be.

O who am I, that for my sake

My Lord should take frail flesh and die. 

2. He came from heaven’s throne salvation to bestow;

the world that was his own would not its Savior know.

But O, my Friend, my Friend indeed,

who at my need his life did spend!

3. Sometimes we strew his way, and his sweet praises sing,

resounding all the day hosannas to our King.

Then “Crucify!” is all our breath, 

and for his death we thirst and cry. 

4. 4. Unheeding, we will have our dear Lord made a way,

a murderer to save, the prince of life to slay.

Yet steadfast he to suffering goes, 

that he his foes from thence might free.

5. 5. Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine:

never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine. 

This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise

I all my days could gladly spend.                

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen. 

KYRIE #572

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                 Psalm 146

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

   I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Do not put your trust in princes,

   in mortals, in whom there is no help.

When their breath departs, they return to the earth;

   on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

   whose hope is in the Lord their God,

who made heaven and earth,

   the sea, and all that is in them;

who keeps faith for ever;

   who executes justice for the oppressed;

   who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;

   the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

   the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the strangers;

   he upholds the orphan and the widow,

   but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign for ever,

   your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN              

ANTHEM   Behold the Love, the Grace of God 

 Tom Fettke & Thomas Grassi     

SECOND LESSON                                             John 19:1-16a

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON         “Systematic Failure”         The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Theological Declaration of Barmen 

Statement 5: 8.22-24

“Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:17.) 

Scripture tells us that, in the as yet unredeemed world in which the church also exists, the State has by divine appointment the task of providing for justice and peace. [It fulfills this task] by means of the threat and exercise of force, according to the measure of human judgment and human ability. The church acknowledges the benefit of this divine appointment in gratitude and reverence before him. It calls to mind the Kingdom of God, God’s commandment and righteousness, and thereby the responsibility both of rulers and of the ruled. It trusts and obeys the power of the Word by which God upholds all things. 

We reject the false doctrine, as though the State, over and beyond its special commission, should and could become the single and totalitarian order of human life, thus fulfilling the church’s vocation as well.

 We reject the false doctrine, as though the church, over and beyond its special commission, should and could appropriate the characteristics, the tasks, and the dignity of the State, thus itself becoming an organ of the State. Amen. 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY            Were You There? Arr. Fred Bock 

*OFFERTORY RESPONSE 

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ONE: … Praise to you, Lord Christ:

MANY: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory…

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

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  

*HYMN Blue #102      Were You There?               

1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

(Were you there?)

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

(Were you there?)

 

2 Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

 (Were you there?)

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? 

(Were you there?)

 

3 Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?

 (Were you there?)

Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they pierced Him in the side? 

(Were you there?)

 

4 Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? 

(Were you there?)

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

 (Were you there?)

*PARTING PRAYER

Gracious God, our way in the wilderness, guide us, by your Word, through these forty days, and minister to us with your Holy Spirit, so that we may be reformed, restored, and renewed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE #363      “I Want Jesus To Walk With Me”     SOJOURNER

I want Jesus to walk with me; I want Jesus to walk with me;

All along my pilgrim journey, 

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. 

POSTLUDE                   Toccata in C             

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Asst. Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.  

STAFF

Church Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504.888.1375

Playschool Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Head of Staff

Louise Ochart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christian Education Leader

Sam Garnett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Music Director

Kelly Cuppett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Music Director

Lauren Oufnac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano. . . . . Playschool Administrative Assistant

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click  “Prayer Request.”

Lenten Devotional: The Staff have put together a daily Lenten Devotional which is available on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Youth Group: We have Youth Group and Confirmation Class this evening Starting at 5:00 PM. 

 

Little Farms Collection: We are collecting items to make care bags for the transient and homeless. We’ll continue until Palm Sunday, April 10. On that day we will put the bags together as a mission activity as we enjoy the luncheon. Here is the list of items to bring in: deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, small wet wipes, a snack, and bottled water.

 

Tablecloth Dinner: Join us for a Tablecloth Dinner on Thursday, April 7, at Bistro Orleans 6:30 Meet ’n Greet, 7:00 Dinner. We are also planning a Kid’s Night In so parents may join the group for dinner. We need a minimum of 20 people, so sign up soon! There is no preordering, and a great menu!!  $34 covers a 3-course dinner and beverage including tax and tip!

 

Luncheon: Join us for some delicious pastalaya, on April 10th following the Palm Sunday Cantata service.  

 

Game Day: Join us April 14th and 28th at 10:00 am in the Library for Game Day. 

 

Events and Meetings this Week:

4/3 – 5:00 PM Youth Group and 

4/6 – 7:00 PM Cantata and Choir (7:45 PM)  Practice 

4/7 – 10:00 AM PW Council Meeting 

4/7 – 7:00 PM Tablecloth Diner and Youth Night In 

4/9 – 9:00 AM  Easter Egg Hunt 

4/10 – 9:30 AM Adult Sunday School, Elementary Age Sunday School, 

Discussion Group Sunday School 

4/10 – 10:30 AM Worship Service – One Great Hour of Sharing offering 

4/10 – 11:30 AM Handbells Practice

-Prayer List-

April 3rd

• Michael Larson, a former co-worker of Bill Bottomley, who is in the hospital, after suffering a heart attack. Pray also for his wife, Shonda.

• Nick Jenco, continued health issues.

March 27 

• Olga’s Husband has been diagnosed with Cancer and will be having surgery on April 22nd.

• Sarah Elliot, daughter of Theresa (a colleague of Aaron’s), who is having surgery in a few weeks. 

• Family and Friends of Betty Sundmaker.

March 20

• The family and friends of Martha Gordy, Bill Bottomley’s cousin. Especially husband, Ernest, and daughter, Dawn.

March 13th 

• Conflict in Ukraine
• Lorraine Weindell’s friend, family out of Ukraine and safe in Russia. 
• John Savage and his family. John was placed in Hospice care, but he has rebounded.