Up, watch with expectation; at midnight comes the cry.

 

2 See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil;

look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil.

The marriage feast is waiting; the gates wide open stand;

arise, O heirs of glory; the Bridegroom is at hand!

WORDS OF WELCOME     

MINUTE FOR THE CHURCH                                                   

CALL TO WORSHIP: Eph. 5:8, 14

ONE: Live as children of the light.

MANY: Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Gracious God,

in order that the children of earth might discern good from evil you sent your Son to be the light of the world. As Christ shines upon us, may we learn what pleases you, and live in all truth and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#87*] [GTG#165]  “The Glory of These Forty Days”          

1 The glory of these forty days

we celebrate with songs of praise;

for Christ, by whom all things were made,

himself has fasted and has prayed.

 

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw

the loving God who gave the law;

and to Elijah, fasting, came

the steeds and chariots of flame.

 

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

delivered from the lion’s might;

and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

the herald of Messiah’s name.

 

4 Then grant that we like them be true,

consumed in fast and prayer with you;

our spirits strengthen with your grace,

and give us joy to see your face.

 

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE {SUNG AS CHILDREN EXIT} [BLUE# 335] [GTG#693]

“Though I May Speak The Gift of Love” 

 1 Though I may speak with bravest fire,

and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain,

as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.       

REPENTANCE

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 [GTG Hymnal #575] 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON  

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.26 or 28]   Matthew 25:1-30

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 

SERMON: “Use What God Gave You”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Theological Declaration of Barmen

 

4. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matt. 20:25, 26.)

The various offices in the church do not establish a dominion of some over the others; on the contrary, they are for the exercise of the ministry entrusted to and enjoined upon the whole congregation.

We reject the false doctrine, as though the church, apart from this ministry, could and were permitted to give to itself, or allow to be given to it, special leaders vested with ruling powers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     “Offertory” by John Ness Beck
    Sharon Fortin & Kelly Cuppett

OFFERTORY RESPONSE [GTG 701] “Lord Prepare Me”

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

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

REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM

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.

 

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.

HYMN [BLUE#41*] [GTG #719]  “Come, Labor On” 

1 Come, labor on.

Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain

while all around us waves the golden grain?

And to each servant does the Master say,

“Go work today.”

2 Come, labor on.

Claim the high calling angels cannot share;

to young and old the gospel gladness bear.

Redeem the time; its hours too swiftly fly.

The night draws nigh.

3 Come, labor on.

Cast off all gloomy doubt and faithless fear!

No arm so weak but may do service here.

Though feeble agents, may we all fulfill

God’s righteous will.

4 Come, labor on.

No time for rest, till glows the western sky,

till the long shadows o’er our pathway lie,

and a glad sound comes with the setting sun,

“Well done, well done!”

PARTING PRAYER (St. Patrick)

Lord, be with us this day- within us to purify us; above us to draw us up; beneath us to sustain us; before us to lead us; behind us to restrain us; around us to protect us. Amen. 

 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#771] “What is the World Like”

4. What is the world like when God’s will is done?

Ready for feasting, we watch through the night,

tending our lamps till the new day’s begun.

This is how God readies us for the light.

POSTLUDE:   “Mighty Maker of All” by Rachel Sawyer

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant 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 Admin. Asst.

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.”