I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,
And in his word do I hope.
My soul waiteth for the Lord
more than they that watch for the morning, more than they that watch for the morning.
—Ps. 130:5-6
With what intense longing the morning light is often waited for.
Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent March 19, 2023
Prayer: Good shepherd of the sheep,
by whom the lost are sought and guided into the fold;
feed us and we be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole,
and lead us that we shall may be with you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
where you reign one God for ever. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed.
God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Hosanna! The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Rejoice in the Lord! Sing to him a new song, for the word of the Lord is upright and all his work is done in faithfulness.
The earth is full of God’s unfailing love.
Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who honor him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.
May God’s faithful love be upon us, even as we hope in him.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus said: I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
Jesus said: I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus said: I am the vine, you are the branches.
If we abide in him and he in us, we will bear much fruit.