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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
March 15, 2026
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Pastor Leonard Bolick
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to our service today! May God richly bless you as you worship here. If you are visiting for the first time this morning, we ask that you please sign the guest register found in the front entrance of the church.

Gathering music
P: Welcome and announcements
Prelude “be still, my soul” bergguist-sibelius
(Remain seated during prelude)
GATHERING: The Holy Spirit gathers us in Christ’s name!
*(You are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer” (sing 3 times)
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call, answer me. O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; come and listen to me.
.

*greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

*P With one voice let us pray.....

*confession and forgiveness
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the minister begins.)
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.

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*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

Let us confess our sin before God, who removes our guilt
and blots out all offenses.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For seeking worldly delights that deceive us and dishonor you:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For desiring self-reliance instead of hungering for your word:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For failing to recognize your coming reign,
and for hindering the work of the Spirit: Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For drawing from the well of self-serving ambition,
and for disdaining the living water Christ offers:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For disregarding voices from the margin,
and for distrusting signs of your healing and hope in the world:
Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
For dwelling in tombs of self-pity and discontent,
and for disregarding Christ’s call to come forth to life:

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Gracious God,
have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
God’s steadfast love, grace, and forgiveness abound.
Through faith, the free gift of God,
you have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.
The Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead
dwells in you,
pours God’s love into your hearts,
and gives you life and peace.
Amen.

(The congregation may be seated.)

Children’s message

first Reading 1 samuel16: 1-13
Samuel anointed David even though he was the eighth-oldest son of Jesse and did not match his brothers in height or other physical characteristics. With the anointing came endowment with the Spirit of the Lord, designating David as the Lord’s chosen successor to Saul.
A reading from 1 Samuel, the sixteenth chapter
1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 He said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely his anointed is now before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or

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on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Second reading: ephesians 5: 8-14
Because we now live in the divine light which is Jesus Christ, we conduct our lives in ways that reflect the light of Christ, so that our activity is truly pleasing to God.
A reading from Ephesians, the fifth chapter
8 Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly, 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Psalm 23 (spoken 2 x 2 Cantor 2; congregation 2)
1 The Lord | is my shepherd; I shall not | be in want. 2 The Lord makes me lie down | in green pastures and leads me be- | side still waters. 3 You restore my | soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways | for your name’s sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall | fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they | comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence | of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is | running over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days | of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the | Lord forever.
*P: Holy Gospel john 9: 1-29
Jesus heals a man born blind, provoking a hostile reaction that he regards as spiritual blindness to the things of God.
The Holy Gospel according to the ninth chapter of St. John
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9

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Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my
sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” 18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”
Praise to you, O Christ. (The assembly is seated.)

Sermon pastor leonard bolick

*Sermon song: “thy word”

Refrain
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path. (Repeat)
1. When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
still you’re there right beside me,
and nothing will I fear as long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end. Refrain
2. I will not forget your love for me, and yet
my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide and hold me to your side,
I will love you to the end. Refrain

P: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the words of the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.

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On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession
Assisting Minister: Reconciled by God’s mercy and sustained by God’s presence, let us pray for the world and its needs.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
God, our shepherd, we pray that you guide the church. Lead Christians in our community and across the globe in right paths for your name’s sake. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our provider, we cry out for this planet and the life it holds. Rescue endangered animals and plants, preserve threatened ecosystems, and save creatures from natural disasters. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our sovereign, we plead for your peace on earth. Bring an end to war and violence, and raise up leaders in governments, courts, businesses, schools, and community organizations who seek goodness and mercy. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

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God our healer, we call to you in our need. Uplift all who are made to feel unimportant, and transform the hearts of all infected by bigotry and prejudice. Care for all in special need this day. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our friend, we praise you for the diversity of people among us. Awaken us to share and receive the gifts we each possess, and stir up a spirit of understanding, celebration, and welcome for all. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our home, we thank you for all who have died and completed their baptismal journeys. Grant us faith to live until we too dwell in your house forever. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: Receive our prayers, O God, through Jesus Christ, our strength and salvation.
Amen.
*Sharing of the Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offering/ Remain seated)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful
response for all God’s gifts.)

MEAL: (God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ).

Offertory “we are an offering” elw #692
We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift out lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord , use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering, we are an offering.

*“Come and See the Glory of the Lord” (The pastor sings the first two verses.)
In the night that Jesus was betrayed, in an upper room,
He took the bread and blessed it as he said..
“Here’s my body broken for you”.
He took the cup and raised it up on high, bowed His head and prayed. And then he said: “My blood for you is shed, a cleansing stream to wash your sins away”.

(Congregation joins in singing)
Come and see the glory of the Lord, come before the Lamb
Come and see the mercy of the King, bowing down before Him
For He is Lord above the heavens, Lord in all the earth.
Lord of all the angels, worthy to be served.

P: Invitation to Communion: Come to the table. Feast on God’s goodness and mercy.
COMMUNION–communion music

White grape juice is available in the center of the tray for those unable to drink wine.
When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say
The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond: Amen.
**if you would like to take communion in your seat, please indicate to an usher and they will bring it to you.**

*LOrd's Prayer-sing
Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the pow’r and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.

Sending: (God blesses us and sends us with gifts of grace in mission to the world.)

P*Blessing
Receive the blessing of the holy Trinity:
God, who calls all things into existence,
Jesus Christ, who redeems us,
and the Holy Spirit, whose breath sustains creation,
X bless you now and always.
Amen.

HYMN: *amazing grace, how sweet the sound
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound-that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
The Lord has promised good to me; his word my hopes secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.

Reflection pastor leonard bolick

Lenten focus

Hymn “what a freind we have in jesus” elw # 742

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Believe the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude “grace greater than our sin” shackley

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Dorene Hawkins and in honor of Jessica and Preston’s Birthdays by Ron & Lisa Herman

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in memory of George & Rebecca Smith by Revonda Heavner

Sunday Servants march 15th
Assisting Minister..........................................................................................Leah Isley
Lay Reader.....................................................................................................Leah Isley
Ushers ………………................................................James McGee & Rodney Setzer
Greeter............................................................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Acolyte………………..…………...............................................................Kelly Taylor
Crucifer.............................................................................................Amanda Pritchard
Tabulators………………...............................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild……..............……...................…........................Leah Isley & Malinda Clay
Presenters......................................................................... ............Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message.................................................................................Katie Hamann

The congregation will be going to eat at Pancho Villa today following the morning worship service. Next Sunday, March 22nd, there will be a covered dish meal after the morning worship service in the fellowship hall. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex.

WELCA is collecting items for the AA group that meets on Friday nights here at PLC. The following items are needed: caffeinated coffee, powdered creamer, cookies, and individually wrapped crackers and snack cakes. You may place your items in the basket in the narthex. This project is open to all members of the congregation.

The church council will meet immediately following the morning worship service today.

You will find three inserts in your bulletin today:
A complete schedule of Lenten services
Information about Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Daily devotions at home for the week of March 15th

This Week’s Opportunities
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship
Congregational Meal-At Pancho Villa following the
morning worship service
Church Council Meeting ~After the service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 8:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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