9:30am Prelude - “God of Grace and God of Glory” - Jeff Perks, Tim Gordon, saxophone, Cheryl Comer, cello Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Opening Song - “I Thank God” - Makenzie Payne Time of Greeting Children’s Time Reflection on Relentless Love - Doug Phillips Song - “Good Good Father” Sermon - “Hosea: Relentless Love” What is some of the best advice you ever got from your mother? God’s people were unfaithful to God in three main ways: Their hearts wandered from God - A spirit of is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord. —Hosea 5:4 They normalized dishonesty: The merchant uses scale and loves to defraud. - Hosea 12:7 They replaced God with their own god: Now they sin more and more; they make for themselves from their silver… —Hosea 13:2a What is God’s response to their unfaithfulness? A relentless pursuit of love. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. —Hosea 11:1,3-4 God waits with open arms even when you wander away. Song - “The Blessing” Offering and Prayer Song - “Reckless Love” Benediction Postlude - “Tambourin” (Gossec) 11:00am Prelude - “God of Grace and God of Glory” - Jeff Perks, Tim Gordon, saxophone, Cheryl Comer, cello Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Call to Worship - Doug Phillips Leader: God’s love is steady, pursuing, and unrelenting. People: When we wander, God seeks us. Leader: God’s love endures through every season. People: When we falter, God holds fast. Leader: God’s love is never-ending. People: God’s love will never let us go. Hymn - “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” - #376 Verses 1, 2, 4 Prayer of Confession: God of relentless love, we confess that our love is often conditional. We love when it is easy. We love when love is returned. We keep score when we should offer grace. Forgive us, O God. Teach us your relentless love, the kind that holds on, that seeks reconciliation, that does not give up. Like a mother who continues to love her children through joy and heartbreak, closeness and distance, shape our hearts to reflect your own. Restore us by your mercy and root us in your unfailing love. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who loved us to the very end. Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Passing of the Peace Reflection on Relentless Love Anthem - “Every Time I Think Of You” (Schram) - Unity Choir Sermon - “Hosea: Relentless Love” - Rev. David Bonnema What is some of the best advice you ever got from your mother? God’s people were unfaithful to God in three main ways: Their hearts wandered from God - A spirit of is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord. —Hosea 5:4 They normalized dishonesty: The merchant uses scale and loves to defraud. - Hosea 12:7 They replaced God with their own god: Now they sin more and more; they make for themselves from their silver… —Hosea 13:2a What is God’s response to their unfaithfulness? A relentless pursuit of love. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. —Hosea 11:1,3-4 God waits with open arms even when you wander away. Anthem - “The Blessing” (Bethel) - Jeff, Tim, Cheryl Offering and the Lord’s Prayer Doxology Eastertide Affirmation of Faith by Rev. Sarah A. Speed: We believe in resurrection, mysterious, beyond our understanding, and yet, like tulips after the snow, real. We believe in Easter, in the promise of a God who would roll back every stone to return to us. We believe in Jesus, who calls us by name and asks, “Who are you looking for?” So we look for justice, for mercy, for God in our midst. And as we look, we sing, “Alleluia!” Amen. Closing Hymn - “Love Lifted Me” - 2 Verses - see screen Benediction Postlude - “Tambourin” (Gossec) - Jeff, Tim, Cheryl