Livestream broadcast will be available at 10:45 AM: (Please note that the “Order of Worship” below is an edited shorter version of the Sunday Bulletin)
“REFLECTIONS”
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
March 22, 2026
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
Worship Leader: Linda Emberley
ORGANIST / PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
SPECIAL MUSIC:
JUBILATION HANDBELL RINGERS
“Dry Bones” by Hart Morris
guests Greg Corcoran & Ruth Kachmarski
“Were You There?” arranged by Karissa Dennis
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
OFFICE COORDINATOR: Jodi Hargreaves
SCRIPTURES READER:
PIANO/ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We are gathered today to worship on land that is treaty 6 people. For thousands of years, they have lived on this land, honouring the Creator and living with respect for creation. We acknowledge their stewardship of the land and their relationship with the land and its plants and animals, and the lakes and streams with their life forms throughout the ages. We accept the responsibility we have to nurture and protect this legacy. Used with permission from Gathering: Lent/Easter 2023; Jeanne Wilson
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
CANDLE LITURGY:Lent 5 (2 candles are lit before the service) Greg & Cece Corcoran
Conversations and consolation; a situation without hope. Or is it? God summons us beyond the here and now. The redeeming love of God reaches into the depths.
Let us journey through the shadows toward the light. (1 candle is extinguished.) Used with permission from Gathering Lent/Easter 2014; Cindy Randall
Sung Response: VU 108 “Throughout these Lenten Days and Nights” Verse 5
5. So let us choose the path of One who wore, for us, the crown of thorn,
and slept in death that we might wake to life on Resurrection Morn!
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
L. Along the Lenten way , may our loving God P. give us calm reflection.
L. Along the Lenten way , may our loving God P. give us purpose faithful friends.
L. Along the Lenten way , may our loving God P. give us purpose and direction.
L. Along the Lenten way , may our loving God P. bring us closer to Jesus Christ.
L. Along the Lenten way, we worship God. Used with permission from Gathering Lent/Easter 2023, David Sparks
2. HYMN VU 703 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”
1. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
2. There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what is holds, a mystery.
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
3. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
3. PRAYER OF APPROACH: Gracious God, we praise you and lift our hearts to you. Thank you for the life of Jesus, for his teachings and his time among us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that lives in us, revealing to us your presence here on earth. May we always be attentive to the Spirit's voice and transforming guidance. May we be worthy of your love. Holy Spirit, help us to find the words in our hearts to express our love and gratitude for you. May we bring glory to your name, O God, in all that we do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Used with permission from gathering Lent/Easter, 2023, Carol Frost
6. HYMN: VU 381 “Spirit of Life” Sing 2X
1. Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand,
giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close;
wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
GOD'S WORD TO US
7. HYMN: VU 108 “Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights”
1. Throughout these Lenten days and nights
we turn to walk the inward way,
where, meeting Christ, our guide and light,
we live in hope till Easter Day.
2. The pilgrim Christ, the Lamb of God,
who found in weakness greater power,
embraces us, though lost and flawed,
and leads us to his Rising Hour.
3. We bear the silence, cross and pain
of human burdens, human strife,
while sisters, brothers help sustain
our courage till the Feast of Life.
4. And though the road is hard and steep,
the Spirit ever calls us on
through Calvary's dying, dark and deep,
until we see the coming Dawn.
5. So let us choose the path of One
who wore, for us, the crown of thorn,
and slept in death that we might wake
to life on Resurrection Morn!
6. Rejoice, O sons and daughters! Sing
and shout hosannas! Raise the strain!
For Christ, whose death Good Friday brings
on Easter Day will rise again!
8. REFLECTION
9. HYMN:“Spirit of Gentleness” VU 375 Refrain: Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow thro' the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
1. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing:
wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. Refrain
2. You swept thro' the desert, you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded with their idols and lies,
then you spoke thro' your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain
3. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still;
and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew thro' your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain
4. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,
with bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain
OUR RESPONSE
10. OFFERING & OFFERTORY HYMN: VU 149, verse 4
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
11. JUBILATION HANDBELL RINGERS: “Were You There?” arranged by Karissa Dennis
12. OFFERING PRAYER OF DEDICATION: God of life, you have given us our very existence. With grateful hearts we offer you our gifts, our service, ourselves. Accept our offerings, O God. Breathe into us and bless us with your grace and love. Amen.
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13. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:
THE LORD'S 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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. AMEN.
14. HYMN 586 VU “We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection”
1. We shall go out with hope of resurrection;
we shall go out, from strength to strength go on;
we shall go out and tell our stories boldly;
tales of a love that will not let us go.
We'll sing songs of wrongs that can be righted;
we'll dream our dreams of hurts that can be healed;
we'll weave a cloth of all the world united
within the vision of new life in Christ.
2. We'll give a voice to those who have not spoken;
we'll find the words for those whose lips are sealed;
we'll make the tunes for those who sing no longer,
expressive love alive in every heart.
We'll share our joy with those who still are weeping,
raise hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief,
we'll leap and dance the resurrection story,
including all in circles of our love.
15. COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION:
16. THREE FOLD AMEN
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 37: 1 - 14
Dry Bones Live Again
EPISTLE READING: Romans 8: 6 - 11
GOSPEL READING John 11: 1 - 7
The Death of Lazarus
John 11: 17 - 27
Jesus Brings Lazarus to Life
John 11: 32 - 45
The Plot To Kill Jesus
Next Sunday: Sunday of the Passion:
Palm Sunday March 29, 2026: Isaiah 50: 4 - 9a1
Psalm 118: 1- 2, 19 - 29; Philippians 2: 5 - 11; Matthew 21: 1 - 11.
“Archived Videos”
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