The First Sunday in Lent
Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Today’s centering practice comes from Cole Arthur Riley, creator of Black Liturgies
- Inhale: There is beauty in the stillness
- Exhale: I am free to rest
Call to Worship
As we journey together
during this Lenten season,
we remember:
The everyday places we walk
are holy ground;
and the ordinary people we meet
are deeply loved by God.
In these thin spaces,
steadfast love and faithfulness meet.
From ashes and dust, God creates beauty.
Amen.
Worship Song
Great Things
Come let us worship our King
Come let us bow at His feet
He has done great things
See what our Savior has done
See how His love overcomes
He has done great things
He has done great things
O Hero of Heaven
You conquered the grave
You free every captive and break every chain
O God, You have done great things
We dance in Your freedom, awake and alive
O Jesus, our Savior, Your name lifted high
O God, You have done great things
You’ve been faithful through every storm
You’ll be faithful forevermore
You have done great things
And I know You will do it again
For Your promise is “Yes and amen”
You will do great things
God, You do great things
Kingdom Come
God, let Your kingdom come
May Your will be done
God, let Your kingdom come
Earth is groaning and we are longing
For Your kingdom to come
All creation and all of heaven
Join their voices as one
Hope is stirring, joy arising
As we look to the day
When all injustice will bow
And every voice will cry out
Holy is Your name
Lift up your heads, all the weak and the poor
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Lift up your hearts, all who suffer and mourn
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Lift up your eyes, all who hunger for more
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Lift up a shout, let the earth hear your voice
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
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
O God,
You are our shelter from the storm,
a safe refuge in times of sorrow,
and we find our home in You.
Where our hearts are dry,
let Living Water flow.
In our darkness, let Light shine.
Hear us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
God of mercy,
forgive our sin and shortcomings,
transform and direct what we shall be,
that we would walk in Your ways, always.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Communion
Offering Prayer
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!
- Lenten Devotional: We encourage you to read Pastor Ray Hollenbach’s book, Deeper Hope, as a daily devotional throughout the season of Lent.
- Home Groups: Ann & Cherry’s Home Group begins this Saturday, March 15th at 4:00 pm. Their focus will be on care for self & care for others. Tae & Yang’s Home Group will start next Friday, March 21st at 6:30 pm — in honor of Women’s History Month, their group will study women in the Bible! Keep an eye out for an Under 30s group as well. Feel free to respond to an invitation or take initiative to join up!
- Praise & Prayer Night: On Saturday, March 29th, we will have a special night of interactive praise & prayer. More details to come!
- Reset Sunday: March is a month with 5 weeks — we will not gather on Sunday, March 30th for worship together. Instead, we’ll encourage you to connect with God, others, and yourself out in the world that day. We will provide a worship guide the week before Reset Sunday.
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
You, You, You
Worship Song
Invitation Fountain w Build My Life
All who are weak
All who are weary
Come to the rock
Come to the fountain
All who have sailed
On the rivers of heartache
Come to the sea
Come on be set free
If You lead me Lord
I will follow
Where You lead me Lord
I will go
Come and heal me Lord
I will follow
Where You lead me Lord
I will go, I will go…
All who are weak
All who are weary
Come to the rock
Come to the fountain
All who have climbed
On the mountains of heartache
Reach to the stars
Come on and give Your life
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
Scripture Reading
John 12:20-26
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Mystery of the Seed
Pastor Jeya
Reflection Questions:
- How would you finish this sentence: I wish I…
- If you find yourself wishing for something material or cosmetic, that’s okay! But try to get to the heart of what you’re really wishing for – why do I wish for this thing? What do I really want?
- Take a minute to pray to God by finishing this sentence, “Would You…?”
Worship Song
Have My Heart
You love with no reservations
You’re not looking for perfection
And there’s no need in me pretending
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything
You deserve my full attention
Nothing less than my devotion
Oh, speak to me and I will listen
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You can have my heart
You can have my heart
Be the Lord of my emotions
Set me free from selfish motives
And search me ’til there’s nothing hidden
And I’ll give You everything
Yes, I’ll give You everything
My heart is Yours forever
My heart is Yours forever
Anchor & Hope Church 