NOTES:As we emerge from the Easter celebrations with joy as a recurrent theme, we continue on the journey towards Pentecost. It would be easy to slip back, with the disciples, into a place of fear. However, Jesus reminds them, and us, we have witnessed something that drives away fear. Mercy transcends our doubts. What will we be capable of when fully empowered with the Holy Spirit? What won't we be?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:36-48
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”[a] 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.[b] 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah[c] is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses[d] of these things.
8:30 AM Order of Service
The Gathering
Welcome
Prelude
We Gather in The Light of Christ
Lighting the Christ Candles
Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
Hymn of Praise:#2 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee vss. 1, 3, & 4
Call to Worship
Leader: We
are witnesses,
People: to the love God has poured into us.
Leader: We are witnesses of God’s love,
People: sharing it with each person we meet.
Leader: We are witnesses to everyone we encounter,
People: God's little children, like us,
People: to the love God has poured into us.
Leader: We are witnesses of God’s love,
People: sharing it with each person we meet.
Leader: We are witnesses to everyone we encounter,
People: God's little children, like us,
sisters and brothers in God’s family.
Leader: Come on, family, let us worship God with joy!
~
written by Thom Shuman and posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/
Invocation (UNISON)
Lord Jesus Christ, your love shines on,
illuminating the places where you go.
You penetrate very real fears and doubts with your sincere word of peace.
You open our minds to ponder
how love comes to defeat such evil and death.
Speak your word of peace to us
and let your love shine on any fearful areas in our lives.
May this worship which we offer in your name
May this worship which we offer in your name
be a worthy response to your love and your sacrifice for us. Amen.
— adapted from a prayer by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on the Liturgies Online blog.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Sermon
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn: #576 My Faith Looks Up to Thee all verses
Praying Together
For Ordinary Human Beings
O God, above us, beneath us, around us, within us, we sense your living presence. As the chill of winter lessens its grip, and the flowers of spring peek through the earth, we thank you for ordinary human beings who express themselves through works of grace and compassion:
For people who take the simplest materials, like clay, wool, wood, cloth, metal and paper...and transform themby fertile imagination and skillful hands into works of treasured beauty and usefulness;
For those who take children who have been neglected and abused and help heal their physical and emotional wounds, enabling them once again to laugh, dream and love - especially our community's school counselors and aids, teachers, principals, Family Resource Centers, first responders in police, EMT, and fire departments, God's Outreach Backpacks, daycare staff and good neighbors;
For angels of mercy in far-flung corners of the earth who provide food, water, medicine, shelter and clothing to people who have lost everything and would surely perish without such specific help - especially Week of Compassion, Church World Service, and all the local efforts with which they partner.
and for all who make visible the treasures buried in creation. We take a moment to lift them to you... (silence)
Our gratitude and concern stir a onging in us as we ponder these ministries of mercy. Grant us better vision, O God. Help us see Jesus Christ, as the one who walked the dusty trails of Galilee. Open our blind eyes. Let us see the world as it is, as Jesus saw it, with all its beauty and pain. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-a portion of a prayer written by Robert Winfield Shaffer in Heartfelt Prayers: For Your Life Today. Berea College Printing Services: 2017
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#386 We Come as Guests Invited all verses
Communion Hymn#386 We Come as Guests Invited all verses
The Elder’s Prayer of
Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper
All are welcome to share at the
Table. Come forward using the center
aisle. As you partake of the bread and
the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the
table. The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#455 You Have Called Me vss. 1 & 2
Blessing
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
10:40AM Service
Welcome
Prelude
Prelude
We Gather in the Light of Christ
Call to Worship
Leader: We
are witnesses,
People: to the love God has poured into us.
Leader: We are witnesses of God’s love,
People: sharing it with each person we meet.
Leader: We are witnesses to everyone we encounter,
People: God's little children, like us,
People: to the love God has poured into us.
Leader: We are witnesses of God’s love,
People: sharing it with each person we meet.
Leader: We are witnesses to everyone we encounter,
People: God's little children, like us,
sisters and brothers in God’s family.
Leader: Come on, family, let us worship God with joy!
~
written by Thom Shuman and posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/
Hymn of Praise:#2 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Stanzas 1, 3, & 4
Invocation (UNISON)
Lord Jesus Christ, your love shines on,
illuminating the places where you go.
You penetrate very real fears and doubts with your sincere word of peace.
You open our minds to ponder
how love comes to defeat such evil and death.
Speak your word of peace to us
and let your love shine on any fearful areas in our lives.
May this worship which we offer in your name
May this worship which we offer in your name
be a worthy response to your love and your sacrifice for us. Amen.
— adapted from a prayer by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on the Liturgies Online blog.
Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith:#352 Spirit Song all stanzas
We Offer Our Hearts to God
Call to Offering
The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Anthem
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
We Prayer Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concerns
Prayer Hymn:#576 My Faith Looks Up to Thee all stanzas
-a portion of a prayer written by Robert Winfield Shaffer in Heartfelt Prayers: For Your Life Today. Berea College Printing Services: 2017
Praying Together
For Ordinary Human Beings
O
God, above us, beneath us, around us, within us, we sense your living
presence. As the chill of winter lessens its grip, and the flowers of
spring peek through the earth, we thank you for ordinary human beings
who express themselves through works of grace and compassion:
For
people who take the simplest materials, like clay, wool, wood, cloth,
metal and paper...and transform themby fertile imagination and skillful
hands into works of treasured beauty and usefulness;
For
those who take children who have been neglected and abused and help
heal their physical and emotional wounds, enabling them once again to
laugh, dream and love - especially our community's school counselors and
aids, teachers, principals, Family Resource Centers, first responders
in police, EMT, and fire departments, God's Outreach Backpacks, daycare staff and good neighbors;
For
angels of mercy in far-flung corners of the earth who provide food,
water, medicine, shelter and clothing to people who have lost everything
and would surely perish without such specific help - especially Week of
Compassion, Church World Service, and all the local efforts with which
they partner.
and for all who make visible the treasures buried in creation. We take a moment to lift them to you... (silence)
Our
gratitude and concern stir a onging in us as we ponder these ministries
of mercy. Grant us better vision, O God. Help us see Jesus Christ, as
the one who walked the dusty trails of Galilee. Open our blind eyes. Let
us see the world as it is, as Jesus saw it, with all its beauty and
pain. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Gather 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:#386 We Come as Guests Invited all stanzas
Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn:$455 You Have Called Me stanzas 1 & 2
Discipleship Hymn:$455 You Have Called Me stanzas 1 & 2
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song:He Is Lord
Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
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