Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 15, 2026 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
Sometimes the greatest blindness in our lives is not what our eyes cannot see, but what our hearts refuse to recognize. In today’s story, Jesus opens the eyes of a man born blind, but those who thought they understood God the best struggled to see the truth standing right in front of them. Christ still comes to open our eyes—to help us see God’s grace, God’s work, and God’s presence in places we may have overlooked. As we gather for worship today, may the light of Christ open our eyes and lead us into deeper faith.
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude I Surrender All | Vogt
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
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
*Hymn of Praise O Worship the King, All Glorious Above
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, forgive us for the times we are blinded by the times of life that prevent us from seeing you are the light of our world. Help us come back to you in our moments of doubt. Teach us to come to you in prayer to strengthen our resolve. Wash away our blindness and allow us to come to you through Christ our Lord. This we ask in your almighty Son’s name. Amen
Assurance of Pardon
God’s amazing grace shines down upon us. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
Thanks be to God.
Summary of the Law of God
The Law of God calls us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to live this love by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
*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 The Lord is My Shepherd | Lau
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, in the wilderness your Son trusted your Word and walked in faithful obedience. By your Holy Spirit, quiet every competing voice within us and open our hearts to hear your truth. As the Scriptures are read and proclaimed, shape us into a people who trust you more deeply, follow Christ more faithfully, and live according to your will. Through Jesus Christ, the living Word. Amen.
Epistle Reading Ephesians 5:18-14
*Hymn I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Gospel Lesson John 9: 1-41 (Will be Read as part of the Sermon message)
Sermon: “Blinded by the Light”
*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 I Believe | Miller
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 We Are Marching in the Light of God
Benediction
Postlude I Know Whom I Have Believed | 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