FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
March 30, 2025 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Chorale Preludes No. 3, Op. 103
Mikael Tariverdiev (1931-1996)
Welcome
Rev. Amanda Osenga
Associate Pastor
*Call to Worship (Psalm 27:1)
Leader: The Lord is my light and my salvation;
People: Whom shall I fear?
Leader: The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
People: Of whom shall I be afraid?
Leader: Come, seek God in this holy space.
All: Let us praise God‘s name together.
Gathering Hymn 165 The Glory of These Forty Days, Verse 4
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Merciful God,
As we journey through Lent,
grant us the courage to speak truth
of our beauty and our brokenness.
Remind us that we bear your image,
and forgive us when we forget,
hungering for what does not satisfy,
clinging to what does not give life,
ignoring those who need our love.
In your mercy,
renew us, repair us, resurrect us.
Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response What Wondrous Love Is This
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
308 O God in Whom All Life Begins (Noel)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
To The River (8:30am)
Down Like Silver
Veni, Sancte Spiritus from Lux Aeterna (11:00am)
Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Lord, may your Holy Word
be for us the seed of new possibilities
that blossoms in ways we cannot yet imagine.
Amen.
Scripture Lesson
2 Corinthians 4:6-11 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 159)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Inconvenience of Being Human
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Saint Honesty (8:30am)
Sara Bareilles (b. 1979)
Deep River (11:00am)
Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
This morning’s performance of “Deep River” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. Congregants are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”). Contributions can also be made online at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Reception of New Members (11:00am)
*Creed (Unison)
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. We trust in the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Creator, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Excerpted from A Brief Statement of Faith.)
*Unison Prayer
O God, our Creator, we praise you for calling us to be a servant people, and for gathering us into the body of Christ. We thank you for choosing to add to our number brothers and sisters in faith. Together, may we live in your Spirit, and so love one another that we may have the mind of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom we give honor and glory forever.
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Sandy Prouty, Minister of Children & Families
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response 223 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Verse 4
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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.
*Closing Hymn
697 Take My Life (Hendon)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response (11:00am)
Kyrie
Plainsong
Postlude
Allegro from Trio Sonata No. 2, BWV 526
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
MUSIC NOTE: Our Westminster Choir will perform movements from American composer Morten Lauridsen’s beloved Lux Aeterna in Sunday worship services throughout Lent. The Westminster Choir will present the work in its entirety – with full orchestra accompaniment – for their Spring Concert, Sunday, April 27, 4pm.
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: MONTVIEW DEACONS
The Deacon mission is to follow in the example of Jesus in loving by serving. It is a ministry of caring, love, compassion, prayer, and community service. Our work most often centers on three things: friendship, food, and financial assistance. To learn more about our work, please contact Brian Smith (brianericsmith@hotmail.com) and Susan Mooney (sus.mooney@gmail.com) or visit our table in the Commons today. Donate to support the Deacons’ work by clicking here (select “Deacon’s Fund” from the dropdown).
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Prophetic and Poetic Imagination
March 16, 23, 30, April 6 | 9:30am (Miller Chapel)
Today, March 30: “Through ‘Heschel’ Colored Glasses – Experiencing the Prophetic Imagination with the Help of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel” with Rabbi Adam Morris. Rabbi Morris, who has served as the rabbi for Temple Micah since 2003, will share some of what he has learned from Rabbi Heschel about how to understand the Biblical prophets and how we begin to respond to their call.
Agape Latte
April 6 | 5-7:00pm (Miller Center)
COME BE A PART of Agape Latte, Montview Youth’s coffeehouse-style concert and fundraiser! Enjoy performances, chili, and a
silent auction with amazing items. With a goal of raising $12,000, all proceeds support youth summer trips.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Liturgists: Rev. Amanda Osenga and Sandy Prouty
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Soloist/Harmonium: Phoebe Bawmann (8:30am)
Reader: Bob Homiak (8:30am)
Reader: Douglas Easton (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Jolene Cranston; Bryn Dunham, mourning the death of her mother; The family of Chris Dillon, mourning Chris’ death; Dick Getzinger, brother of Nancy Getzinger; Mark Haynes; Jay Henry, family of Mary Jo Bush; Joe Hickman; Tony Johnson; The loved ones of Carol Mielke, mourning her death; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; The Myers Family, friends of Kate Reinemund; Katie Shaw and family, mourning the death of John Shaw; The George Turi Family, relatives of Aimee Sanders; Jewel Wegs; Margaret Wehner; Debi and Len Zeer, parents of Janelle Case
Deaths
March 19 | John Shaw
March 17 | Chris Dillon
March 4 | Carol Mielke
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am-12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:30am
The Prophetic and Poetic Imagination – Through ‘Heschel’ Colored Glasses
Rabbi Adam Morris
Location: Miller Chapel
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
MOB in the Morning (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar Back Room
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Second Floor
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers (Grades 6-12)
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
6:00pm
MOB (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from Youth Cellar.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Please note that the 11:00am worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org