April 24, 2016 Easter 5

THEME: The Gospel starts breaking through Boundaries

Scripture:  Acts 11:1-18
11:1 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God.

11:2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him,

11:3 saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?"

11:4 Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying,

11:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me.

11:6 As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air.

11:7 I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat.'

11:8 But I replied, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'

11:9 But a second time the voice answered from heaven, 'What God has made clean, you must not call profane.'

11:10 This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven.

11:11 At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were.

11:12 The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.

11:13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter;

11:14 he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.'

11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning.

11:16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

11:17 If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?"

11:18 When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."


Children's Scripture: John 13:33-35
13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.'

13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

8:30 AM Order of Service

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship:

Leader: Jesus offers a new-old commandment- that we should love each other.
People: With the incredible power

and depth of God's love for us,
we can, we will
love one another.

Leader: It is in our love for one another
that the world will know
that we worship God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. 

People: Come, children of God, 

let us love one another.

Let us worship God!

~ adapted from a prayer written by Katherine Hawker,
Hymn of Praise:   # 90 Come,  Christians, Join to Sing (vss. 1 & 3)

Invocation
Holy God, may we hear your voice
In the stillness of night, in clatter of day
You call us, and we respond,
Here I am!
May we follow you and
May we love as you love. 

Lighting of the Candles
Children are welcome to come forward.
Leader:  In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

 Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn  #595 Be Thou My Vision (vss. 1 & 2)

Prayers of the People

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Sermon

Communion Hymn: #393 One Bread, One Body verse 1

 Invitation to Share in the Lord's Supper

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome
to share in communion & offering.

Words of Institution

Prayer for Bread and Cup

The Lord's Supper and Offering

Please come forward down the center aisle to partake of the elements.
Gifts, tithes and offerings may be placed in the basket on the table.

The Lord's Prayer

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation:#339 Just as I Am, Without One Plea (vss. 1 & 3)

Blessing
Children are welcome to come forward.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

           

10:40 AM Service Order

Gathering and Preparing for Worship

Opening Music: #117 He Is Lord 

Welcome & Announcements

Hymn of Praise:#90 Come, Christians, Join to Sing (vss. 1& 2)

Call to Worship

Leader: Jesus offers a new-old commandment- that we should love each other.
People: With the incredible power

and depth of God's love for us,
we can, we will
love one another.

Leader: It is in our love for one another
that the world will know
that we worship God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. 

People: Come, children of God, 

let us love one another.

Let us worship God!

~ adapted from a prayer written by Katherine Hawker,

Invocation
Holy God, may we hear your voice
In the stillness of night, in clatter of day
You call us, and we respond,
Here I am!
May we follow you and
May we love as you love.

Moments of Fellowship and Greeting

Offering Our Hearts to God

The Lord's Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory

Doxology CH #46

Prayer of Dedication

Encountering God's Word

Scripture: John 13:33-35

Children's Moment and Blessing

Choir Voluntary

Turning to God in Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayer Hymn:  #595 Be Thou My Vision (vss. 1 & 2)

Prayers of the People

Contemplating God's Word

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Sermon

Sharing at the Lord's Table

Invitation to Communion

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome to share in communion. Please hold each element as we partake in unison.

Communion Hymn: #393 One Bread, One Body (verse 1)

Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Going Forth in Faith

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation: #339 Just As I Am, Without One Plea (vss. 1 & 3)

Benediction

Choral Response #226 He Lives (refrain only)

Carrying Out of the Light

Postlude