Calendar

Order of Worship

Service for the Lord’s Day

Gathering around the word

Prelude                                                               Prelude and Fugue, Clara Schumann

Our organist, Wendy Johnston is joining others in the U.K., United States, and around the world on this day by performing a piece by a woman composer. Learn why by reading “About Today’s Music” at the end of the liturgy (page 13).

Today’s prelude was composed by Clara Schumann (1819-1896), a pianist, composer and distinguished concert artist who began performing as an 11-year-old child prodigy. Clara later continued her illustrious performing career touring Europe to great acclaim for over 61 years. Against her father’s wishes, she married composer Robert Schumann, and they had eight children together. Her Prelude and Fugue in D Minor were written after an intense year of studying Bach’s compositions. Listen for how the chromatic theme in the homophonic prelude is continued as the subject of the fugue.

† Call to Worship

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
for God’s steadfast love endures forever.  

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so — those God redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.  

Let them thank the Lord for God’s steadfast love,
for God’s wonderful works to humankind. 

And let them offer thanksgiving and sacrifices,
and tell of the Lord’s deeds with songs of joy. 

Come, let us worship God! 

† Hymn #624                                            “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”

Prayer of Adoration

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess the folly of our sin and the hypocrisy of our complaints. We grumble about the evils of the world, even as we commit injustices and profit through deceit. We fret about the scarcity of resources while hoarding the earth’s goods and cheating the poor. We protest the problems of the world, but we do not actively work to address them. 

Merciful God, expose our sins before the light of your grace. Heal our sin and free us from our foolish ways that we may know the joy of life eternal in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.

Kyrie #551                                                                                     “Lord, Have Mercy”

Silent prayer of confession

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news! God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Know, then, this truth: in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!                                                                                                        

† Response of praise: Hymn #582                                  “Glory to God, Whose
Goodness Shines on Me”

† Passing of the Peace

Life in Community

Upcoming events and recent announcements are available in the back of the bulletin and on our website at catonsvillepres.org.

Proclaiming the Word

Children’s Message

Prayer for Illumination

Almighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, open your Word and illuminate our darkened world, that we may see clearly and live faithfully by the light of your truth in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture                                                                                            Numbers 21:4-9

Hymn #438                                                                      “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”

Scripture                                                                                                   John 3:14-21

Sermon                                                                                                “Look and Live” Ken Kovacs

Responding to the Word

Call to Offering

Offering of Tithes and Gifts

Offertory                                                             Like a River in My Soul, Tim Osiek

I’ve got peace like a river, like a river in my soul.
I’ve got peace like a river, soothing river, calmly flow.
When the world closes in, feel the stillness within.
I’ve got peace like a river, like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean, like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean, endless ocean, deep and full.
When you’re lost and alone, let the waves bring you home.
I’ve got love like an ocean, like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain, like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain, like a fountain in my soul.
When your hope nearly dies, just remember, once again you shall rise!
I’ve got joy like a fountain, Love like an ocean,
Peace like a river in my soul. 

† Doxology #607                              “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

† Prayer of Dedication

Merciful God, we thank you for your wonderful works among humankind. Accept this offering with the dedication of our lives and help us to be a symbol of your steadfast love for the world, in Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Prayers of the People & 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 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.

† Hymn #366                                                           “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

† Benediction

Postlude                                                         Aberystwyth, setting by Ashley Grote

Ashley Grote (b.1982) is an English organist, composer, and choral arranger. He served as Organ Scholar at Kings College, Cambridge and as Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey. Currently he is Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral. Today’s postlude is Grote’s setting of Joseph Parry’s Welsh hymn tune, written when Parry taught at the University College, Wales, Aberystwyth.

Sources

Image: Illustration from the 1728 Figures de la Bible, illustrated by Gerard Hoet (1648-1733).

Storytelling the Season: Covenant. Karen Ware Jackson. “When we learn in God’s story together, we grow in God’s story together.” —Heather Ruth Johnson.

Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013).

Kyrie by James MacMillan. From St. Anne’s Mass and reprinted in Common Ground: A Song Book for All the Churches  (St. Andrew’s Press, 1998)

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-734388; CCLI Copyright License B 20481088 + Streaming License B 481071

About Today’s Music

Today is Woman Composer Sunday. For centuries, women were excluded or discouraged from contributing music for the church. Established in 2021 by the Society of Women Organists and Royal College of Organists in the United Kingdom and adopted by the American Guild of Organists, Woman Composer Sunday raises awareness of the contributions of these composers during Women’s History Month. Learn more at tinyurl.com/woman-composers.

Worship Participants

Dorothy Boulton
Associate Pastor

Keith and Kathy Glennan
A/V Production

Wendy Johnston
Organist and Assistant Director of Music

Greg Knauf
Director of Music

Ken Kovacs
Pastor

Jeff Bolognese
Liturgist

Vickie Lord
Social media support

Learning & Growing

Access the articles for Adult Education at catonsvillepres.org/belonging

The Practices of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Compassion

Sunday, March 10 and 17| Led by Ken Kovacs| 9:00 a.m. in the Library

The season of Lent is a time for growth in faith—through prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination in preparation for the annual commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In our journey through these forty days (minus Sundays), we are invited to reflect deeply on how to live out the meaning of our baptism as disciples. For three Sundays, we’ll explore three key practices associated with Lent: prayer, fasting, and works of love or compassion. We’ll give special attention to how we can nurture our inner life and cultivate loving habits of the heart. And we’ll offer ways to make these essential practices more meaningful and relevant in our walk with Christ.

Thursday Morning Bible Study: Toward A Theology of Death

Each week through March 21| Led by Ken Kovacs | 10:30 a.m. in the Library

Thursday Morning Bible Study resumes in Lent for a special series that explores the Bible’s understanding of death. The Bible does not speak with one voice on this subject. What we find in Judaism is a gradual unfolding of insights into the nature of death, God’s relationship to death (and the dying), and speculations about life after death. Many of these ideas are present in the Old Testament but take on new and deeper meanings after the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. Each week we’ll study a different passage of scripture, supported by additional articles and reflection pieces to inform our discussions.  We plan to look at the following texts: Genesis 3, Psalm 23 and Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel 37, John 11, and 1 Corinthians 15.

Middle and High School Youth Group

Sunday, March 24| 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to an Easter-themed escape room. Snacks and drinks are provided. Contact Dorothy Boulton with questions.

Announcements

Scouting for Food

Cub Pack 306’s “big red truck” will be in our main parking lot through noon today. Thanks to those who shared nonperishable food items already. The contributions will be shared with Catonsville Emergency Assistance later today.

Home Communion

The Deacons are scheduling home communion the week after Easter (April 1-3). If you would like to set up a time for a Deacon visit, please contact Dorothy Boulton by March 20.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, March 24, children should meet in Fellowship Hall before worship to wave palms for the processional hymn. Parents are invited to accompany young children. After worship, all ages are invited to the Fellowship Hall for an Easter craft.

Night at the Yard

Back by popular demand, we’re planning another Night at the Yard! On May 17, we will watch the Orioles play the Mariners. Tickets are $16 per person. To reserve your tickets, please contact Stephanie Stevens no later than April 10. Hope to see you there!

We’re Recertified as an Earth Care Congregation!

Catonsville Presbyterian Church was certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Presbyterian Hunger Program through February 2025. This is our ninth consecutive year of certification. We are grateful for the Creation Care Team and the support of the congregation!

Iftar dinner

Mark your calendar for 6:30 p.m. on April 6, when the Dismantling Racism Committee will co-host an Iftar dinner with our friends at Maryland Turkish-American Inhabitants (MARTI)! Iftar dinners are the fast-breaking meals eaten by Muslims during the month of Ramadan, occurring immediately after sunset. Like last years’ dinner, it will take place at CPC and include presentations on both Ramadan and Lent/Easter. Registration is not yet open, but more details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Bridges to Housing Stability: Beans & Bags for Bridges

Join in a day of fun and community as we work to end homelessness through Bridges to Housing Stability’s Beans & Bags fundraiser! Enjoy delicious chili from Absolutely Perfect Catering, compete in a friendly cornhole tournament, place bids on exciting silent auction items, and listen to live music by local musicians. Chili tickets and cornhole registration are now available at tinyurl.com/beans-bags-24.