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. Christ came from heaven’s throne salvation to bestow;

But people scorned and none The longed-for Christ would know But O,

my Friend, my Friend indeed, who at my need his life did spend!

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

resounding all the way hosannas to our King.

Then “Crucify!” is all their breath, and for his death They thirst and cry. 

a murderer to save, the prince of life they 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 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

   Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

   to the voice of my supplications!

 

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

   Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you,

   so that you may be revered.

 

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

   and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

   more than those who watch for the morning,

   more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

   For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

   and with him is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel

   from all its iniquities.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN              Reading Signs

SECOND LESSON                                              John 11:1-44

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON      “Resurrection and the Life”    The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH       Theological Declaration of Barmen

1. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6.) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” (John 10:1, 9.)

      Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.

      We reject the false doctrine, as though the church could and would have to acknowledge as a source of its proclamation, apart from and besides this one Word of God, still other events and powers, figures and truths, as God’s revelation. Amen. 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY             Prelude in E minor Chopin

*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 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…

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 #316]     Breathe on Me, Breath of God 

1 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

2 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Until my heart is pure,

3 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Till I am wholly Thine,

4 Breathe on me, Breath of God, So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity.

• The Family and Friends of Cathy F., a former member who has been living in Virginia. 
• Bobby O., Aaron’s uncle, in medical rehab
• Friend of Beverly K. who is in ill health
• Family and Friends of James E., 38, son of Bruce and Donna, classmates of Bill B.
• Continued prayers for Jananne L. Recovering from Pelvic fracture

February 20

• Patrick A., friend of Aaron, asks for prayer for his friend. 
• Tom, a friend of Bill B., has pain in his bones and is suffering from depression.
• David, a friend of Bill B., who lost a good friend of his to violence along with the friend’s daughter. 
• Family of Bonnie P. (Dennis’s sister-in-law) who passed away following open heart surgery.
• Family of Dolores W. (Ernie’s sister) who passed away. 
• Family and friends of Javelin G., Nick’s mother

February 13

• Friends and Family of Suzanne D., friend of Jananne.

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH HEALTH ISSUES:  Debra B., Teddy B., Troy D., Suzanne D., Ernest and Patricia E., Mel F., Neil F., Buddy H., James K., George M., Wayne T., Eleanor W., Bob W., and others struggling with health issues.    

   Announcements

Youth Bible Study: We kick off a new Middle and High School Youth Bible Study tonight at 5:00 pm. Dinner will be included. We will be using the Reckless Love video study series from RightNow Media. Youth Group will wrap up around 6:30 pm. Just in time for those that want to attend our 45 min confirmation class to join Pastor Aaron for that. The meeting dates for this new Youth Bible Study will be March 6th and 20th, April 3rd and 15th (This one will be a special Good Friday event more on this later), May 1st and 15th, and June 5th. We would love to see all our Youth at these fun evenings and hope they will invite some friends too. 

Confirmation Class: As noted above we will have a confirmation class Bi-Monthly right after our Youth Bible Study and we will be joined by youth from First Presbyterian Church. Please speak with Pastor Aaron if you are interested in joining us for this. We know this first class is coming up fast so let us know if you can’t make this one and we will make alternate arrangements to catch you up. The meeting dates for Confirmation class will be March 6th and 20th, April 3rd, May 1st and 15th. 

Bible Builds, Elementary Grade Bible Study: We will be doing a once a month Bible Study for our elementary age kids utilizing Minecraft. We will come together after Sunday Worship Service, the kids will be given a story from the Bible, and an hour to build something related to the story in a Minecraft world. We will take time for each child to tell about their build and explore the story further. Lunch will be provided. We will have a Nintendo Switch which can accommodate four players, plus some tablets to use during the building portion of the bible study. Kids can bring their own portable gaming systems, tablets, phone, or laptop with Minecraft on it to use to join the world if they prefer. Our first meeting will be on March 27th following Sunday Worship. The Children will be given the bible story after Sunday School or Worship service on March 20th so they can have the week to think about and plan their build. 

Birthdays: Andrew Crawford 3/6, Ann Trapani 3/6, Megan Lauland 3/6, Greg Russo 3/6, Dennis Lauland, 3/12

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

1. Here in this place, the new light is streaming; 

now is the darkness vanished away; 

see in this space our fears and our dreamings

brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame;

call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.

2. We are the young, our lives are a mystery. 

We are the old who yearn for your face. 

We have been sung throughout all of history, 

called to be light to the whole human race. 

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; gather us in the proud and the strong;

give us a heart, so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.

3. Here we will take the wine and the water; 

here we will take the bread of new birth.

Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion; 

give us to eat the bread that is you;

nourish us well, and teach us to fashion 

lives that are holy and hearts that are true,

4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away:

here in this place the new light is shining;

now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;

gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.  

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you fully love us, but we have not fully loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, hatred, warfare, and greed. 

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*GLORIA PATRI #579 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end, Amen, Amen.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                        Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

   whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

   to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—

   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

   my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me,

   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,

   that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

   all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

   in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

   he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up

   above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

   sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,

   be gracious to me and answer me!

‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’

   Your face, Lord, do I seek.

   Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,

   you who have been my help.

Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,

   O God of my salvation!

If my father and mother forsake me,

   the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

   and lead me on a level path

   because of my enemies.

Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,

   for false witnesses have risen against me,

   and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord

   in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

   be strong, and let your heart take courage;

   wait for the Lord!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN           

ANTHEM                       Hymn of Promise                            Natalie Sleeth    

In the bulb there is a flower; In the seed, an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter, There’s a spring that waits to be, 

Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking work and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see. 

In our end is our beginning; In our time, infinity.

In our doubt, There is believing; In our life, eternity. 

In our death, a resurrection; At the last, a victory,

Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see

Unrevealed until its season, Something yet unknown, which God alone can see.

SECOND LESSON                                                                  John 9:1-41    

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON               “I Once Was Blind”               The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                    Confession of Belhar

We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; 

that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells…

that the credibility of this message is seriously affected and its beneficial work obstructed when it is proclaimed in a land which professes to be Christian, but in which the enforced separation of people on a racial basis promotes and perpetuates alienation, hatred and enmity…

Therefore, we reject any doctrine which, in such a situation sanctions in the name of the gospel or of the will of God the forced separation of people on the grounds of race and color and thereby in advance obstructs and weakens the ministry and experience of reconciliation in Christ.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY    Be Thou My Vision Carrolton Forrester

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM James Ferguson 

ONE: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the hope of your calling,

MANY: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all…

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

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

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

*HYMN #280                   “Amazing Grace”               AMAZING GRACE

1 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

 

2 ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

 

3 Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

 

4 The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

 

5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

*PARTING PRAYER         The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Our loving Father, from Thy hand have come all the days of the past. To Thee we look for whatever good the future holds. We are not satisfied with the world as we have found it. It is too little the kingdom of God as yet. Grant us the privilege of [being] a part in its regeneration. We are looking for a new earth in which dwells righteousness. It is our prayer that we may be children of light, the kind of people for whose coming and ministry the world is waiting.—Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE  “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”             HYMN TO JOY

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the gloom of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

POSTLUDE              

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