This Week's Bulletin
Fourth Sunday in Lent
* Indicates that worshippers are to stand if able.
Congregational responses are in bold print.
Worship Leader: Sherry Allen
ENTRANCE & PRAISE
Prelude “The Road Home” John Kwon
Greetings Rev. Sang Hun Han
Announcements Sherry Allen
Opening Hymn “Maker, in Whom We Live” UMH #88
1. Maker, in whom we live, in whom we are and move, the glory ,
power, and praise receive for thy creating love. Let all the angel
throng give thanks to God on high, while earth repeats the joyful
song and echoes to the sky.
2. Incarnate Deity, let all the ransomed race render in thanks their
lives to thee for thy redeeming grace. The grace to sinners showed
ye heavenly choirs proclaim, and cry, "Salvation to our God,
salvation to the Lamb!"
3. Spirit of Holiness, let all thy saints adore thy sacred energy, and
bless thine heart renewing power. Not angel tongues can tell thy
love’s ecstatic height, the glorious joy unspeakable, the beatific sight.
Call to Worship
Come, all who have wandered and long to come home.
We come seeking the grace and mercy of God.
Like the loving father, God waits with open arms.
God welcomes us with compassion and forgiveness.
When we were lost, God searched for us.
When we return, God rejoices.
Let us worship the God whose love never gives up on us.
With grateful hearts, we come to worship the Lord!
*Passing Peace of Christ TFWS #2108
“O How He Loves You and Me”
O how he loves you and me! O how he loves you and me!
He gave his life. What more could he give? O how he loves you;
O how he loves me; O how he loves you and me!
Children’s Message
Children’s Church
Joys and Concerns
Silent Prayer & Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Screen)
Contemplation Hymn “We Walk By Faith” TFWS #2196
1. We walk by faith, and not by sight: No gracious words we hear
of him who spoke as none e'er spoke, but we believe him near.
2. We may not touch his hands and side, nor follow where he trod;
yet in his promise we rejoice, and cry, "My Lord and God!"
3. Help then, O Lord, our unbelief, and may our faith abound;
to call on you when you are near. and seek where you are found
PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE
Scripture Reading Luke 15:11-32 (NIV) Sherry Allen
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look!
All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
This is the Word of Life for all the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Offering Our Gifts to God’s Service
Offertory Anthem “Seek Ye First” Bethany Children’s Choir
*Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #UMH 95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures
here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Accept, O Lord, these offerings your people make to you, and grant that the work to which they are devoted may prosper under
your guidance, to the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
You may give your offering at www.bfvumc.org/online-giving
or mail it to:
Bethany of Fox Valley UMC
2200 Ridge Ave. Aurora, IL. 60504
Message: “Coming Home” Rev. Sang Hun Han
SENDING FORTH
Closing Hymn “Grace Alone” TFWS #2162
1. Every promise we can make, every prayer and step of faith, every
difference we will make is only by his grace. Every mountain we will
climb, every ray of hope we shine, every blessing left behind is only
by his grace.
** Refrain: Grace alone which God supplies, strength unknown he will
provide. Christ in us our Cornerstone; we will go forth in grace alone.
2. Every soul we long to reach, every heart we hope to teach,
everywhere we share his peace is only by his grace. Every loving
word we say, every tear we wipe away, every sorrow turned to praise
is only by his grace. **
*Benediction Rev. Sang Hun Han
Postlude Traditional Anglican Melody John Kwon
We are glad that you joined us this morning in worship.
We hope that you find strength, renewal, and a sense of peace
going through the coming week.