March 15, 2026, Worship Service

Groveport UMC, Groveport Ohio

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OPENING SONG: “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” - #334

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING PRAYER:

Gracious God, we come to you this morning surrounded by signs of Spring and new life. You never stop making things new — and we need you to do that in us, too. You offer us new life through Christ. Not someday, but today. Open our hearts. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Change what needs changing. Soften what's gotten hard. We are here to worship you, and we don't want to leave the same way we came in. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES “Lift Up Your Heads“

HYMN: “The Church’s One Foundation” - #545

CALL TO WORSHIP:

Leader: The Lord is our shepherd; we will have all that we need; we are released from fear. People: The Shepherd guides us in fruitful living, giving us healing and pardon.

Leader: Even though difficulties and dangers may lie ahead, we do not need to fear.

People: God’s love and strength are as a rod and staff for us.

Leader: God will give us abundantly from God’s own love.

People: Surely this goodness and mercy will be with us all of our days, and we will dwell in God’s loving care forevermore. AMEN.

HYMN: “Through It All”

HYMN: “Sweet Hour of Prayer” - #496

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

Faithful God, you made us to live close to you — to trust your voice, to follow where your Spirit leads, to love the people you love. But we turn away. We choose our own path. And when we do, fear rushes in to fill the space we've left.

We grow quiet when your Spirit nudges us to speak. We hold back when your Spirit pushes us to act. We look away from the injustice right in front of us — and we do it together. Our silence becomes something we share. This grieves your heart. Forgive us for the turning — for choosing fear over the Spirit who was right there. By your perfect love, cast out every fear that has made its home in us. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 41:10

OUR TIME OF PRAYER (During our time of prayer, the altar rail is open for all who wish to come forward.)

HYMN “Sanctuary”

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Special Music – Angela Martin

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

CHILDREN’S MOMENTS (All children are invited to attend Jr. Church at this time.)

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Mark 14:43-72

SERMON “The Power of Fear“

*CLOSING HYMN: “How Firm a Foundation” - #529

*BENEDICTION

*SENDING FORTH: “Shalom to You”

POSTLUDE “Since Jesus Came into My Heart”