Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 22, 2026 | 10:00am
Kelly Koch MDiv, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
“God meets us in our reality, not in our illusions.” -Thomas Merton
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Nobody knows the Trouble I’ve Seen | arr. Hayes
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Opening Statement
We come from places of weariness.
God meets us there.
We come carrying what feels dry and scattered.
God does not turn away.
We come to worship-not because we have it all together,
But because God meets us as we are.
Can these bones live?
O Lord, you know.
Come, Spirit of the living God-
Breathe life into us again.
*Hymn of Praise Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow
Call to Confession
God meets us not only in places of strength, but also in the places that feel dry, weary, and uncertain. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come honestly before God- bringing what is broken, what is unfinished, and what we cannot fix on our own. Let us confess our sin together.
Prayer of Confession
God of life, we confess that we sometimes settle for what is easy, but lifeless. We dwell on what drains us rather than what gives life. We rehearse our fears more than we trust your promises. We grow weary and distracted, trying to hold everything together - giving our time and energy to things we cannot fix.
Forgive us, Lord. Remind us of your Spirit at work within us. Turn us again toward your will for our lives. Breathe your Spirit into what has grown dry within us and renew us to live and walk with you. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: Even in the valley, God speaks life. What feels dry is not beyond God’s mercy. What feels lost is not beyond God’s reach.
God meets us in our brokenness - not with condemnation, but with grace. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
The Spirit of God is at work within you, bringing life, renewal, and peace.
Thanks be to God.
Summary of the Law of God
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
*Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
We Listen to God’s Word
Anthem Dry Bones | Fettke
Prayer for Illumination
God of breath and Spirit, as your Word is read and proclaimed, breathe life into us again. Open our ears to hear your voice, and our hearts to receive your truth. Where we feel dry, bring renewal. Where we feel distant, draw near. By your Spirit, make your Word alive in us. Amen
First Reading Ezekiel 37:1–14
*Hymn Spirit of the Living God
Gospel Lesson John 11:17-27
Sermon: “Breath Before Life”
*Affirmation of Faith (Nicene Creed)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering Out of the Depths | Frost
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Benediction
Postlude Worthy of Worship | arr. McGranahan
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED