“This brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

Welcome to Lithia Springs Methodist Church

Sunday worship bulletin for March 30, 2025.

A printable PDF version of this bulletin can be downloaded here.

Wi-Fi is available for our guests.

The flowers in the chancel area are given to the glory of God.

Chiming of the Hour
Glenn McElroy

Welcome, Announcements and Invocation
Rev. Thomas Long

Prelude
“The Power of the Cross” with “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
Arr. Jason D. Payne
Glenn McElroy

Responsive Call to Worship*
Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Choral Response*
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” № 23

Hymn*
“Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord” № 558

Affirmation of Faith*
The Apostles’ Creed № 691

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
    He 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 the dead.
    On the third day He rose again.
    He ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    He will come again 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.

Anthem
“Without the Cross”
Joseph M. Martin
Chancel Choir

Pastoral Prayer; Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Thomas Long

Children’s Time
Rev. Thomas Long

Offertory Prayer
Rev. Thomas Long

For online giving visit: https://613e4b45.churchtrac.com/give

Offertory
“He Looked Beyond My Fault”
Arr. W. Elmo Mercer
John Gentry; Glenn McElroy

Doxology* № 682
Words Thomas Ken; Music Louis Bourgeois CCLI 1152573

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Hymn*
“Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” № 502

Scripture*
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Harriet Frempong

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon
Rev. Thomas Long

Hymn*
“Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?” № 564

Benediction
Rev. Thomas Long

Postlude
“The Church’s One Foundation”
Arr. James Michael Stevens
John Gentry

If you have been visiting with us, we would love to be able to connect with you!
Please take a Visitor’s Card from the pew, complete it, and place it in the offering plate.

Thank you for worshiping with us!

This Week’s Schedule

Today, March 30:
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Monday, March 31:
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 62

Tuesday, April 1:
10:00 a.m. The Glory Quartet

Wednesday, April 2:
4:30 p.m. Prayer Group
6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 62
6:45 p.m. Handbell Practice
7:45 p.m. Choir Practice

Thursday, April 3:
7:00 p.m. Hospitality Committee

Saturday, April 5:
9:00 a.m. Community Garden Workday

Sunday, April 6:
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Special Guest Performance
Join us THIS Tuesday, April 1st at 10a.m. in the Sanctuary for a special performance by the Glory Quartet! Invite your family and friends and please RSVP to the church office as coffee and light snacks will be provided.

LSMC Community Garden Workday 
Saturday, April 5th from 9-12pm. Come out and help prepare the garden for the growing season!

Easter Cantata
Join us on Palm Sunday, April 13th during worship for the Chancel and Handbell Choir’s presentation of their 2025 Easter Cantata, The Power of the Cross.

Good Friday Service April 18th at 7:00pm.

Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 2:00pm
Please consider donating themed baskets to be given away at the event.  These can be dropped off in the church office or in the Children’s Wing. Thank you!

Brotherhood of Methodist Men’s Yard Sale
Support the LSMC Men’s group by donating items in good condition to be sold on Saturday, May 3rd! Donations can be dropped off in the Fellowship Hall.

Baseball Day!
We have 40 tickets reserved for the Atlanta Braves vs Boston Red Sox game on Friday, May 30th at 7:15pm. Tickets are $35 + tax. Food is not included but transportation is provided. The seats are in the general admission section of the stadium. Please fill out the registration form in the bulletin to confirm your attendance. Payment can be made later after we have an exact cost per ticket.  

Scout’s Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
When kitchen renovations near completion we will have a better idea of when the world’s best spaghetti can be shared by all. TBD.

Be Still and Know God
GMC Annual Conference
June 5-7th  Greensboro Methodist’s
Lake Oconee Campus
Registration for GMC Annual Conference is now available at https://ngagmc.org/AC2025/

Nursery Volunteers Needed
If you love children and have a heart to serve, we are seeking a group of volunteers that can rotate as nursery attendants on Sunday mornings. Please share your interest with the church office.

Donate Used Religious Literature & Eyeglasses
Please drop off donations in the Progressive classroom.

Website & YouTube Channel Launch
Visit our website at lithiaspringsmethodist.org for the latest news, events, and resources. Check out our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@LithiaSpringsMethodistChurch to enjoy recordings of our Sunday worship services.

To contact the church office,
please send correspondence to
[email protected]
[email protected]
Or call 770.948.5429