Centering Practice
In Psalm 139, the psalmist marvels at how precious and vast are God’s thoughts — they even outnumber the grains of sand!
- Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths
- Picture your favorite beach, imagine standing on the sand, letting waves wash over your feet — what do you hear, what do you see?
- Look up and down the shoreline at the infinite number of grains of sand, and enter into our worship space with gratitude and wonder at the precious thoughts of God
Call to Worship
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good!
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed rejoice
in the wide embrace of God.
To those in darkness, God brings light.
In the deserted land, God brings forth a garden.
For all who seek, God offers hope and belonging.
Amen.
Worship Songs
Sound of Adoration
When we were lost ones
You were the Shepherd that carried us home
When we were prodigals
You ran to meet us with open arms
And we can’t hold back our praise
When we were refugees
You were the One who took us in
When we were enemies
You paid the price for all our sin
And we can’t hold back our praise
This is the sound of adoration
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You
You are the joy of all creation
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You
You are the Risen One
You conquered death and made a way
You sang our freedom song
Now we are dancing on our chains
And we can’t hold back our praise
By the cross, I am free
Your grace changes everything
I was blind, now I see
Your grace changes everything
Build My Life
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, we live for You
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love
To those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Prayer of Confession
Holy God,
You bless us abundantly in every way;
with the breath we breathe, with food and shelter,
with love, grace, and community.
We confess how easily we dismiss Your care for us,
worrying and trying to control outcomes.
Forgive us for leaving such little room
for Your Spirit to move in our hearts.
— Moment of silent prayer —
Refine us, O God.
Shape and sharpen us into Your people,
for the life of the world around us.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
After each phrase, the congregation will reply with one voice:
Lord, have mercy.
For those who will receive the meals
we packed with Rise Against Hunger…
For those suffering
from violence, hatred, and war…
For our friends who need to know Your love
and the friendship of our Anchor & Hope community…
For our partners & collaborators,
and for the mission of our church…
Amen.
Communion
Send the Rain
Lord, we come to You
Now with open hands
Broken lives and dreams
Washed up on the sand
We’ve been beaten down
But still we choose to stand
We choose to stand
Lord, we long for You
For Your hand to move
Heal this barren land
Come and make it new
Jesus, You’re the life
That is breaking through
You’re breaking through
The saints of old in ancient days
They worked the ground
that we reap from today
So use our hands to cultivate
The harvest that
our children’s children taste
We’re ready God, so send the rain
Lord, we’ll follow You
To unbroken earth
On the path not used
Where new hope is birthed
We will work as one
Holding to Your truth
To Your truth
Heal the ruined cities
We destroyed with our own hands
Bring us back together
Let us see the promised land
Pour out Your Spirit
On this dry and thirsty ground
O God of the harvest
Could it be right here and now
Could it be right here and now
Open up the heavens,
let Your rain fall down
We are thirsty, we are thirsty
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Rise Against Hunger: Thank you to everyone for participating to pack over 10,000 meals last Sunday — and special thanks to Tae for the vision and effort in coordinating with Rise and Solana Beach Pres! You can still give via Tithely or via check if you haven’t had the chance.
- Art Day with Sandburg: Please pray for our next art class with Sandburg led by Ann Leong on March 20th. Students will be learning about and painting in the style of Van Gogh, and all registration fees will be donated to the school. Please let Ann know if you’d like to volunteer!
- Good Friday service: We will gather in-person here at Sandburg on Good Friday, March 29th at 7:00 pm for a time of quiet prayer & reflection.
- Easter Sunday: We will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection together on Sunday, March 31st with a special family service! Please keep an eye out for candy/Easter egg donation and potluck sign-ups coming soon.
- Visit a garden: As we reflect on “the garden” of God’s grace throughout Lent, we encourage you to visit one of the many gardens around the San Diego region. If you get a chance to visit, we’d love to hear about it!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
Your Love is Deep
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Promises
God of Abraham
You’re the God of covenant
And of faithful promises
Time and time again
You have proven
You’ll do just what You said
Though the storms may come and the winds may blow
I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn, when You speak a word
It will come to pass
Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me
God from age to age
Though the earth may pass away
Your word remains the same, yeah
Your history can prove
There’s nothing You can’t do
You’re faithful and true
I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down
Scripture Reading
John 9:1-12
1 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Sand
Pastor Dan So
Worship Song
Expectation
You redeem our past
You take what’s old and broken
You’re breathing in new life
Rhythms of Your grace
Moving us to freedom
From darkness into light
You will make all things new
You’ll bring Your kingdom here
We wait in expectation
We lift our eyes to You
Salvation’s drawing near
We wait in expectation
You have overcome
the troubles we are facing
You’re standing here with us
Oppression cannot win
and anxious thoughts are broken
By the pow’r of Jesus’ name
You have me
You have me
You have my heart completely
Would You come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Anchor & Hope Church 