March 23, 2025, 10:30am ― UCCB LIVE― Congregational Church of Brookfield

The Congregational Church of Brookfield 3rd Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:30am Prelude Sean Lewis Welcome, Announcements & Lighting Our Peace Candle Rev. Jennifer Whipple Call to Worship (from Psalm 63) Rev. Bryn Smallwood-Garcia One: May we see God’s glory revealed in this meetinghouse. All: We give thanks for the power of God’s strong and steadfast love! One: Let us raise our voices and praise the Lord! All: We will bless the Holy One for as long as we live. One: May we call upon God with confidence. All: In the shadow of holy wings, let us sing with joy! Opening Hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (vs. 1& 2) 25 Prayer of Approach (from Psalm 63) and The Lord’s Prayer O God, we turn to you in our worship today. Our souls thirst for you when we feel weak and alone. Without you, we are like people who wander in a dry land where there is no water. Thank you for inviting us to speak to you in prayer. Whether we pray here in church, or alone at night in our beds – you feed our souls. You feed us with your loving presence, and we rise up full, as after a rich feast. May our hearts turn to praise you with joy, for all the help you lend us. May our souls always cling to you. May we learn to trust in your hand to hold us and guide us, through the wisdom and grace of our Savior Jesus, who taught us to pray, [We use “Our Father” & “debts-debtors,” but please use whatever words bring you closest to the Holy One in a spirit of prayer.] 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. Time With Our Children Richard Nyers (During the next hymn, we invite children in pre-K through grade 6 to leave with our teachers for Church School or they may stay with their parents in worship. Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to remain in worship or to assist as needed in Church School. Nursery care is always available.) Hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (vs. 3-5) 25 Scripture Readings Isaiah 55:1-9 Richard Nyers Luke 13:1-9 Sermon “From Empty to Full” Rev. Bryn Smallwood-Garcia Response Sharing our Joys & Concerns and Prayers of the Faithful Call to Share our Gifts & Offerings** Offertory “I Will Arise” (Dake) Chancel Choir Please rise, as you are able, in body or in spirit. Doxology “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” 46 Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. [We sing “Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” but if you prefer the more inclusive “Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost,” please use whatever words you prefer to praise our Trinitarian God, whose steadfast love endures forever.] Offertory Prayer We thank you, O God, for the many gifts we have received from your hand. Help us to give with joy to all the works and ministries of your church. May we share with confidence in your abundant and steadfast love, which knows no end. Bless all we have to offer – whether we come with rich gifts of treasure or with simpler offerings. Receive and bless, we pray, our service to others, and our words and songs of prayer and praise. May our fellowship bear witness to your glory each day, as we walk together with Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen. Closing Hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” 622 Benediction and Passing the Peace of Christ Postlude (All music reprinted/streamed with permission under One License #A-709408. All rights reserved.) **There are so many WAYS to give… Our church is full of generous and cheerful givers, so we provide many ways to be a part of God’s work by supporting the ministries of our church. You can: Place cash, check or a green “I give electronically” card into the offering plate as it is passed. Send us a check through the U.S. Mail (160 Whisconier Road, Brookfield CT 06804). Set up electronic giving with automatic bank drafts. (This is usually a free method. Giving with the PushPay phone app is another option, with each gift costing the church a 3% fee.) No matter how you give, or how much you give, know your contribution makes a difference – your faithful stewardship makes all our worship and ministries possible. Thank you!