First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
March 1, 2026
Second Sunday in Lent
Rev. Brian Copeland
CHIMES (Preparing yourself for worship)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
The Lord God keeps us, saves us, and protects us in times of trouble.
Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Even when fear strikes us, we know that we are safe, for we belong to God.
We shall never be shaken or moved, for we are shadowed by God’s almighty hand.
We lift our voices together in thanks and praise.
HYMN #483 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
Our help does truly come from God. This help is not just for the times when trouble befalls us, or when our lives are hard, but when we are the ones who are to blame, when we face the consequences of our own actions. Knowing that, we turn to God for help, trusting in unending grace.
Teacher, you call us to go, following the plan that you have set out for us. You promise us blessings and purpose, but we do not trust your words. We cling to what we already know, we trust in what we can see and touch, we make excuses for our failure to trust in you. Call to us again, that we may be born again through your Spirit. Help us to believe and give us the abundant life that comes from following your will.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world
might be saved through him.
Thanks be to God. We will bear witness to God’s saving grace with our lives.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness, guide us by your Word through these forty days, and minister to us with your Holy Spirit, so that we may be reformed, restored, and renewed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: The Message Psalm 121 Liturgist
I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
He won’t let you stumble; your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God is your Guardian, right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moon stroke.
God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life.
God guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: John 3:1-17 Rev. Brian Copeland
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”
Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #508 For the Bread Which You Have Broken
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.21
The reconciling work of Jesus was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind. His cross and resurrection become personal crisis and present hope for women and men
when the gospel is proclaimed and believed. In this experience, the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to all, moves people to respond in faith, repentance, and obedience, and initiates the new life in Christ.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
In Christ Jesus, we have a great high priest who knows our weakness and suffering; therefore, with boldness, let us seek God’s grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plate is on the side table.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
God of grace, you have gifted us with life in Christ. Today we bring the gifts of our work
and the gifts of our hearts. May all that we bring and all that we are be your means of grace in the world, that all people may encounter your good news. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God: You made a covenant with our ancestor Abraham,
promising to make of him a great nation, and a blessing to all the families of the earth.
Therefore, we praise you, joining the song of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
HYMN #538 Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
*LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE. PLEASE ASK THE GREETER.
Reminders:
March 1 – Installation of Officers
March 8 – Session and committee meetings following worship/Daylight Savings Time begins
May 15 – Doug’s to Go to benefit WFPC
June 22 – Doug’s to Go to benefit Weedsport Fire Department
