Welcome and Greeting
Prelude Ever, Only, All for Thee arr. Robert J. Powell
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for thee.
Call to Worship
Hymn # 501 Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Gray Psalter Hymnal)
Psalter: Psalm 63 (NRSV) Nancy Dunn
1O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
3Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
5My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
6when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
9But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10they shall be given over to the power of the sword, they shall be prey for jackals.
11But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Prayer for Illumination
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35
35 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.
3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
Congregation: Thanks be to God for His Word.
Choral Anthem Lord, I was Blind
Lord, I was blind; I could not see
In your marred visage any grace
But now the beauty of your face
In radiant vision dawns on me
Lord, I was deaf; I could not hear
The thrilling music of your voice
But now I hear you and rejoice
And sweet are all your words and dear
Lord, I was dumb; I could not speak
The grace and glory of your name
But now as touched with living flame
My lips your eager praises wake
Lord, I was dead; I could not stir
My lifeless soul from sin to flee
But now since you have quickened me
I rise from sin's dark sepulchre
For you have made the blind to see
The deaf to hear
The dumb to speak
The dead to live
And so I break the chains of my captivity
Children’s Sermon
Hymn # 384 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Gray Psalter Hymnal)
New Testament Reading: Luke 18:35-43
35As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” 42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” 43Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Sermon “Receive Your Sight” Pastor Andrew Winter
