Dear friends,

THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.

OUR GOSPEL READING is taken from John 12: 20-33.  In this account, a group of Greeks seek Jesus, prompting Him to speak about his upcoming death and glorification.  Jesus metaphorically likens himself to a grain of wheat dying to produce abundant fruit, indicating that his own death will lead to a greater spiritual harvest.  In Eugene Peterson’s translation, The Message, he writes: “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat.  But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.  In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life.  But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.”

EASTER FLOWERS:  Anyone wishing to contribute to the purchase of Easter flowers for our sanctuary may place their name and donation on the offering plate – or send an e-transfer.  Should you wish these to be memorial flowers, please include the name(s) of the person(s) you would like to remember.  The last day for contributing is Wednesday March 27.

Order of Service

Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship – PWS&D Lenten Liturgy
Hymn 423: “Sing your praise to God eternal”
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace
The Lord’s Prayer
Children’s Time
Hymn 747: “There is a balm in Gilead”
Psalm 51: 1-12
Gloria Patri
Jeremiah 31: 31-34 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
Hebrews 5: 5-10
John 12: 20-33
Sermon: “Is God a ‘closet’ universalist?”
Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
Hymn 496: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet”
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 353: “Hail, our once-rejected Jesus”
Benediction
Go now in peace
Postlude