John Calvin Presbyterian Church

PRELUDE  “’Tis Midnight; and on Olive’s Brow“ by William B. Bradbury and William B. Tappan 

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS         

ADORATION

LENT READING    “The Whip” Matthew 27:24-26

INTROIT “Steal Away” performed by Sandy Cranfill on Soprano and Randy Martono-Chai on organ

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 23)      

ONE: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

MANY: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters

ONE: He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

MANY: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

ONE: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

MANY: you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

ONE: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

MANY: and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.

                                        

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#324] “Open My Eyes, That I May See” 

REPENTANCE

*CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

 SILENT CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty and merciful God, we continue to want more, blind to the blessings we already possess. We want everything now, blind to the value of patience and hard work. We take so much delight in our own accomplishments that we are blind to people in need. Forgive us. Cleanse us of our entitlement, anxiousness and pride. Help us see the world with your eyes so that we can be people of gratitude, courage and compassion, because of what we see in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

RESPONSE  [Blue#586]  “Amen”

1st SCRIPTURE Ephesians 5:8-14

Motet   “Pie Jesu” by Andrew Lloyd Weber: a duet by Sandy Cranfill and Rev. Dr. Martha J. Robson on vocals

2nd  SCRIPTURE John 9:1-41       

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

   

SERMON   “Children of the Light”   Rev. Dr. Martha J. Robson

HYMN “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY  “Allelu” performed by Paula Palermo on vocals and guitar

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

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.

RESPONSE “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”

HYMN “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

PARTING PRAYER    

Good Shepherd,

you lead us beside still waters and restore our souls.

When we walk through shadowed valleys, cast out our fear

and guide us in paths of righteousness. Fill us with your goodness and mercy all our days, until that day when we all dwell in your house forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#542] “All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night” verses 1 & 4 only

POSTLUDE   “Guide My Feet / Walk in the Light”           

*Liturgical material taken from the “Weekly Liturgy” of the Presbyterian Outlook. ©Presbyterian Outlook, 2026.

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. 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