THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
March 8, 2026 | 8:30 and 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
A New Commandment
David Blackwell (b. 1961)
Welcome
Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children & Families
*Call to Worship
Leader: We set our hearts toward Jerusalem.
People: We turn our spirits toward resurrection.
Leader: The way is demanding.
People: And yet, it is filled with grace.
All: With open hearts and steadfast souls,
let us journey this path together.
Gathering Hymn 165 The Glory of These Forty Days, Verse 2 
*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
816 If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee (Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott)
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
Prelude No. 2, Andante con moto (8:30am)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Introit e Kyrie, from Requiem (11:00am)
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
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
Psalm 139:7-18 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 540)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Finding God in the Dark
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Adagio (8:30am)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Lord, to Thee we turn (11:00am)
Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594)
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, the Holy One of Israel,
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 siblings 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
Rev. Amanda Osenga, Associate Pastor
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
307 God of Grace and God of Glory (CWM Rhondda)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
Kyrie
Plainsong
Postlude
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
arr. Ashley Grote (b. 1982)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: AGAPE LATTE
MARCH 22 | 5-7:00PM (MILLER CENTER)
Agape Latte is Montview Youth’s coffeehouse-style concert and fundraiser supporting summer trips to Puerto Rico, Ghost Ranch, and our JAM InTown Mission Immersion. With more than 60 youth participating, our goal is to raise $15,000. Enjoy live performances, Caribbean bowls, festive beverages, and a silent and live auction. The silent auction will be online, so you can browse and bid from your phone. Childcare is available for birth–7 years old. Click here to register, preview auction items, donate, and learn more.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Four Voices of Resistance and Hope: Faith in Times of Crisis
March 8, 15, 22 | 9:40am (Miller Chapel)
Today, March 8: Faithful Freedom in an Anxious Age: A Conversation on Karl Barth – Rev. Dr. Ben Sanders III. Rev. Dr. Sanders currently serves as Chief Equity Officer for the City and County of Denver. He is also on the ministerial staff of New Hope Baptist Church in Denver.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Liturgists: Rev. Amanda Osenga and Sandy Prouty
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
Reader: Beth Ellsworth (8:30am)
Reader: Ben Meyerhoff (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
The clergy of Jamaica as they support those affected by Hurricane Melissa; Jolene Cranston; Rev. Emory Gillespie; Cindi Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Tim Hobbins (relative of Cindy and Terry Oakes); The Hoeft Family; The Holleman Family (mourning the death of Mary Holleman); The Jensen Family (mourning the death of Joe Jensen); Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Sam Mateo; Dianne Briscoe McKenzie; Vanessa Owen and family (mourning the death of Vanessa’s mother); Jim Polsfut; Jan Tazelaar; Anne Tennant; Stuart Tessler (friend of Barbara Furutani)
Births
March 3 | Auggie James Orzolek, child of Madison Smith and Louis Orzolek
January 20 | James Merrifield Weschler, child of Sarah and Charley Weschler
Deaths
February 12 | Joe Jensen
February 9 | Mary Holleman
Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or condition. Contact: caring@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
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
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
9:40am
Four Voices of Resistance and Hope: Faith in Times of Crisis
Faithful Freedom in an Anxious Age: A Conversation on Karl Barth
Rev. Dr. Ben Sanders III
Location: Miller Chapel
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Second Floor
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
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.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
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