Welcome & Announcements

Minute for Mission

Prelude     "In the Sweet By and By"     Grace Ringers

First Scripture Reading       Matthew 23: 23

Call to Worship:
Welcome to the weary and the worn.  Welcome to the wiggly and the eager.
Welcome to the skeptical and the seeking.  Welcome to the early risers and those still trying to wake up.
Welcome to the rule followers and the rule breakers.  Welcome to those hungry for justice and those desperate for mercy.
Welcome to the sinners and the saints.  This is God’s house.
You can make yourself at home here.  Let us worship our just, merciful, and faithful God!

**Hymn       #12  “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"

**Call to Confession

**Prayer of Confession
Holy God, we love to live our lives by the rules.  We love clear answers.  We love right and wrong.  We love swift justice.  We love to pick up stones, but you show us another way.  You welcome shades of gray and nuanced conversation.  You prioritize mercy over legality.  You prioritize people over tradition.  You prioritize love over everything.  Forgive us for losing sight of what truly matters.  Forgive us for clinging tighter to laws than to each other or to you.  Forgive us. Soften our hearts.  Root us in mercy, justice, and love.  With hope for a better tomorrow, we pray. Amen.

**Words of Forgiveness
Church family, Jesus saw a crowd ready to throw stones and invited them to choose another way.  Jesus offered them grace, mercy, and compassion, and the same can be said for us.  So hear and believe the good news of the gospel:  Our God is a God of mercy.  Our God is a God of compassion.  Our God is a God of grace.  We are forgiven, loved, and invited to choose another way.  Thanks be to God for yet another second chance.  Amen.

**Affirmation of Faith
I believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. It sounds like welcome and feels like home. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. It sounds like love and feels like a seat at the table, so I believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. I have seen it alive in the world. And even when my heart aches, even when wars rage,  even when mercy feels out of reach, I remember the one who welcomed the children and led with nonviolence. I remember the one who cared for the vulnerable and inspired those around him. I remember that the good news really is good news, for I have seen it alive in the world. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Anthem (10:15)    "God of Love, God of Mercy”     Grace Notes Choir

Time with Young Disciples (10:15)

Second Scripture Reading       John 8: 2-11

Message

Prayers of the People with 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.

**Hymn       “Let Us Remember”     lyrics by Anna Strickland

**Benediction

**Choral Reflection       from Teacher Jesus, Source of Knowledge by Amanda Udis-Kessler
Teacher Jesus, teach us always.  Teach us in a thousand ways. 
Help us live in joy and wonder.  Help us weep and heal and praise.
Help us learn from one another.  Help us make your dream come true.
Help us build your peaceful Kin-dom.  Help us live and love like you.

Postlude

**congregation standing in body or spirit
congregational responses in bold

lyrics printed with permission under One License #A-737483 and CCLI License #2545718
worship liturgy written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org
“Tell Me Something Good: Grounding ourselves in the good news this Lent” worship series by A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org