Order of Worship 2-27-22
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
8th Sunday After Epiphany
February 27, 2022; Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Linda Lowry
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
* Please stand, in body or spirit
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE “God Will Take Care of You” arr. Phillip Keveren
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP 2 Cor. 4:6
ONE: As God spoke, calling light out of darkness,
MANY: God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of vision, Too often we are spiritually blindfolded, unable to see you at work in our world. Remove barriers that keep us from seeing. Help us to be light for others. Amen.
*HYMN “Here in this Place” GATHER US IN
- 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.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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 |
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 – Asst. 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
Order of Worship 2-20-22
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
7th Sunday After Epiphany
February 20, 2022; Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Mike Isham
Please silence all cell phones.
Face masks are encouraged for all participants unless leading worship.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
* Please stand, in body or spirit
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE “I -” “Poco allegretto” “Seven Pieces in C major and C minor” C. Franck
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 55
ONE: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
MANY: And those who have no money, come, buy and eat!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN “Here in this Place” GATHER US IN
- 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.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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 147:1-11
Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN “River of Life”
ANTHEM Sing A New Song To The Lord Natalie Sleeth
SECOND LESSON John 7:37-52
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
SERMON “Nazarene” The Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Confession of 1967
God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes the natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. It is the will of God that the divine purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from creation… With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God. “Now to [God] who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to [God] be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Excerpts from Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 by Frederic Chopin
*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
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 #356 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” NETTLETON
1 Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of God’s unchanging love!
2 Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood.
3 O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.
*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 Excerpts from Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 Frederic Chopin
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 – Asst. 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.” |