WHAT'S H A PPE NIN G !
Please join us after the service for Hospitality Time in Criswell Hall
This week's activities:
Today: 3:00 PM Movie – Conclave, CH
Mon. March 24 4:30 PM Communications, L
6:00 PM Gerry's Quilting Class, CH
Tue March 25 9:00 AM Senior Exercise, CH
10:00 AM Sew ‘n’ Sews, MMR
11:00 AM Chair Yoga, CH
1:00 PM Bible Study, CH
5:00 PM Handbell Practice, HB
Wed. March 26 9:00 AM Trustees Work Morning, CH
10:00 AM Mary-Martha-Ester, MMR
Thu. March 27 9:00 AM Senior Exercise, CH
10:30 PM Staff Parish Relations, PS
11:00 AM Chair Yoga, CH
5:00 PM Handbell Practice, HB
6:30 PM Choir Practice, S
Fri. March 28 10:00 AM Mushroom Farm Tour, parking lot
11:00 AM Nominating Committee
Sun April 8:30 AMInformal Worship, S
10:30 AM Traditional Worship, S
Upcoming Events:
Thu. April 3 Cabrillo High School Aquarium, leave church 12:55
Wed. April 9 New Women’s Circle 6:30pm MMR
Thu. April 1 Children’s Center Open House, 6-7pm
Thu. April 7 Maundy Thursday Service 6pm, S
Sun. April27 Children’s Center Art Show
Sun. April 27 Free Movie: Six Triple Eight, 4pm
Mon. April 28 People’s Kitchen Food Prep 1:30pm Kitchen
Tue. April 29 People’s Kitchen Food Distribution 11:00am depart from church
First United Methodist Church
of Arroyo Grande
275 N. Halcyon Road,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-481-2692 fumcag@yahoo.com
WorshipWeekly.com
March 30, 2025 10:30 a.m.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
PRELUDE “We Shall Behold Him” ---Dottie Rambo
INTROIT Shout to the Lord TFWS #2074
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Like a loving Father, God offers us freedom to choose our path.
Like a merciful Mother, God offers us compassion.
Like a forgiving Parent, God welcomes us home with open arms.
In God’s embrace, we become ambassadors of reconciliation.
*OPENING HYMN My Hope is Built No. 368
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER.
Merciful God, as the father welcomed the prodigal home, you receive us into
your loving arms. Your steadfast love knows no bounds and your loving
embrace is always there for us. Be with us in our worship, that we may feel
your presence and find our way home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
A TIME OF PRAYER
Choral Call to Prayer Change My Heart, O God TFWS #2152
Prayers of the People
Choral Response Change My Heart, O God T FWS #2152
Abbreviation Legend: * Please sign up in advance at the welcome desk in the Narthex
CH= Criswell Hall HB =Hand Bell Room #115 PS = Pastor's Study
MMR = McMillen Room #113 L = Library Room #123, S = Sanctuary
CHOIR ANTHEM Arise! Shine! J Paul Williams
Joseph M. Martin
SCRIPTURE Luke 15:11b-32
HYMN (remain seated) There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy No 121
SERMON A Season of “YESES”:
“YES” to Sinners
OFFERING
Call to Stewardship and Mission
Offertory “Here I Am, Send Me”
---John Purifoy
*Doxology/Prayer of Dedication
*HYMN To God Be The Glory No. 98
*BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE Cry of My Heart TFWS #2165
POSTLUDE In Him We Live Norma Lester
* Please stand as able.
Assisting in today's service: Pastor: Rev. Mary Birgelaitis,
Liturgist: Nancy St. Laurent, Interim Choir Director: Tricia Stewart,
Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, Organist: Brad Bettencourt
Luke 15:11b-32
Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father,
“Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me. “So, he divided his property
between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant
country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent
everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.
So, he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his
fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were
eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my
father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get
up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ “So, he
set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to
him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe-the best one-and put it on
him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us
eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’
And they began to celebrate. ‘Now his elder son was in the field: and when he came and
approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked
what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted
calf, because he has got him back safe and sound. “Then he became angry and refused to go
in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For
all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your
command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my
friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with
prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always
with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother
of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’
HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by: Nominating Committee March 30 will be hosted by: Worship Team
ATTENDANCE
WEEK
8:30
10:30
IN-
PERSON
TOTAL
STEWARDSHIP
Mar 2
36
59
95
121
$9,453
Mar 9
37
54
91
119
$4,479
Mar 16
41
69
110
110
$1,825
Mar 23
31
57
88
96
$2,793
Weekly offering needed: $6,160
Fiscal Year to Date: Received: $253,309 Budgeted: $236,778