LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT, YEAR A
MARCH 1, 2026
† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements John Strawbridge, Lay Leader
Choral Introit “I Want Jesus To Walk With Me” Spiritual, arr. Moore
I want Jesus to walk with me;
All along my pilgrim journey,
I want Jesus to walk with me.
†Call to Worship
Come, all who are weary and searching.
We come, trusting God’s mercy will meet us.
God calls us to begin again—to step forward in faith.
We come, ready to follow where Christ leads.
Let us worship the One who renews us in love.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
†Opening Hymn “Amazing Grace” UMH 378 (v. 1-3, 6)
Prayer of Illumination
Gracious God, as we walk this Lenten path, quiet our hearts and turn us toward you. By your Holy Spirit, illuminate your Word. Soften what is hardened within us, reveal what needs repentance, and strengthen us for faithful obedience. Open our eyes to your mercy, our ears to your truth, and our hearts to your redeeming love. Lead us through the wilderness of these days toward the hope and joy of resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament Genesis 12:1-4a NRSV
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him.
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Merciful God, you call us out of old patterns and into the wide space of your grace. When we feel stuck in fear, move us toward trust. When we cling to what is familiar, open us to your new beginnings. Renew Lovely Lane to be a sign of your mercy in this city: a community of welcome, truth, and healing. Give us courage to repent where we have turned inward, to forgive where we have been wounded, and to love where we have withheld compassion. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Choral Response “Holy Spirit, Come to Us” TFWS 2118
†A Reading from the Gospel John 3:1-17 NRSV
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend. Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Communion Prayer” Barrett, on “Avon”
Alas! and did my Savoir bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred Head
For sinners such as I?
Body broken for me;
My salvation so free;
Now, Lord, at Thy table,
Thy face may we see?
Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity and grace unknown
And love beyond degree!
O, Jesus, how can we thank you?
Dear Jesus, how can we bless you?
My tears of grief can never repay
The debt of love I owe;
So, Lord, I pray myself away:
‘Tis all that I can do.
Offering Prayer
Generous God, receive these gifts as signs of our gratitude and trust. Use them to extend mercy, strengthen faith, and bless our neighbors near and far, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Communion “Let Us Break Bread Together” UMH 618
The Great Thanksgiving UMH 13
Lord’s Prayer
†Closing Hymn “O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread” UMH 613
†Benediction
†Benediction Response “Steal Away” Spiritual, arr. Moore
Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus.
Steal away, steal away home; I ain’t got time to stay here.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude