NOTES:In both the Acts and John texts we see a transition being made in the rank and role of people who follow Jesus. In John, Jesus' disciples, now identifiable by the presence of love within them, move from being servants to friends. In Acts, the early Jewish members of the church look at Gentile believers and realizes that something wonderful is happening. Of its own accord, the Holy Spirit has come to people from new backgrounds and nationalities and the Gospel is alive in them. Peter proclaims that he can no longer see a distinction. Why should baptism be denied where the Spirit is moving? In our time, what commonly held ranks, distinctions, differences or classes are falling away as the love of God moves?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:44-48 & John 15:9-17
Acts 10:44-48
10:44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.
10:45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,
10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said,
10:47 "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
10:48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
John 15:9-17
15:9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
15:11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15:15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
15:17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
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: #286 "This is the Day" (sing once)
Call to Worship
Leader: We gather to worship the One who crafted creation out of chaos,
People: Our cries of joy join the anthems of the universe.
Leader: We gather to lift our praise to the God who gives us voice,
People: We bring the songs which have echoed in our hearts all week long.
Leader: We gather as the children of God, our joy unbroken in God's love.
People: Young and old, tone deaf and perfect-pitched,
lift the new, new songs of faith.
Invocation (UNISON)
O Beloved One,
All the ends of the earth marvel
at your deeds of power; we feel your presence
as growth returning to the countryside;
we rejoice as we remember your steadfast love
revealed in the risen Christ.
Surround us with that faithfulness and
Fill us with generosity so that we may be called your friends
and go forth to befriend your world. In Jesus’ name.
All the ends of the earth marvel
at your deeds of power; we feel your presence
as growth returning to the countryside;
we rejoice as we remember your steadfast love
revealed in the risen Christ.
Surround us with that faithfulness and
Fill us with generosity so that we may be called your friends
and go forth to befriend your world. In Jesus’ name.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Sermon
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn: #349 "My Jesus, I Love Thee" (all verses)
Praying Together
Almighty God,
We thank you for the gifts of children:
For their unrestrained love;
For their unqualified trust;
For their eagerness to learn and grow;
For their readiness to run and sing and dance;
For their capacity to forgive.
We thank you for the gifts of young people:
For their courageous questions;
For their determination to be true to themselves;
For their willingness to pick up banners we have dropped;
For their sense of justice and fairness;
For their creativity;
For their commitment to live out their faith before their peers;
For their ability to make us laugh.
We do not always recognize these gifts in every child or every young person. Make us aware and perceptive for the seeds of even more than we now see. Grant us the wisdom to know how we can help children and youth develop these personal qualities through authentic affirmation and helpful criticism.
Most of all, grant us the vision and humor to leave every encounter inspired and delighted by what is emerging in our world through these precious people growing up around us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
adapted from "The Gifts of Children" by Robert Winfield Shaffer. Berea College Printing Services. p, 50.
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#354 " Seek Ye First" (all verses)
Communion Hymn#354 " Seek Ye First" (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#113 "Jesus Loves Me" (all verses)
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 gather to worship the One who crafted creation out of chaos,
People: Our cries of joy join the anthems of the universe.
Leader: We gather to lift our praise to the God who gives us voice,
People: We bring the songs which have echoed in our hearts all week long.
Leader: We gather as the children of God, our joy unbroken in God's love.
People: Young and old, tone deaf and perfect-pitched,
lift the new, new songs of faith.
Hymn of Praise:#286 "This is the Day" (sing once)
Invocation (UNISON)
O Beloved One,
All the ends of the earth marvel
at your deeds of power; we feel your presence
as growth returning to the countryside;
we rejoice as we remember your steadfast love
revealed in the risen Christ.
Surround us with that faithfulness and
Fill us with generosity so that we may be called your friends
and go forth to befriend your world. In Jesus’ name.
— from Friends of God: Service Prayers for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways archive. Visit that site for other good lectionary-based resources.
Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith:#526 "The Gift of Love" (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:#349 "My Jesus, I Love thee" (all stanzas)
Prayers of the People:
Almighty God,
We thank you for the gifts of children:
For their unrestrained love;
For their unqualified trust;
For their eagerness to learn and grow;
For their readiness to run and sing and dance;
For their capacity to forgive.
We thank you for the gifts of young people:
For their courageous questions;
For their determination to be true to themselves;
For their willingness to pick up banners we have dropped;
For their sense of justice and fairness;
For their creativity;
For their commitment to live out their faith before their peers;
For their ability to make us laugh.
We do not always recognize these gifts in every child or every young person. Make us aware and perceptive for the seeds of even more than we now see. Grant us the wisdom to know how we can help children and youth develop these personal qualities through authentic affirmation and helpful criticism.
Most of all, grant us the vision and humor to leave every encounter inspired and delighted by what is emerging in our world through these precious people growing up around us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
adapted from "The Gifts of Children" by Robert Winfield Shaffer. Berea College Printing Services. p, 50.
Prayers of the People:
Almighty God,
We thank you for the gifts of children:
For their unrestrained love;
For their unqualified trust;
For their eagerness to learn and grow;
For their readiness to run and sing and dance;
For their capacity to forgive.
We thank you for the gifts of young people:
For their courageous questions;
For their determination to be true to themselves;
For their willingness to pick up banners we have dropped;
For their sense of justice and fairness;
For their creativity;
For their commitment to live out their faith before their peers;
For their ability to make us laugh.
We do not always recognize these gifts in every child or every young person. Make us aware and perceptive for the seeds of even more than we now see. Grant us the wisdom to know how we can help children and youth develop these personal qualities through authentic affirmation and helpful criticism.
Most of all, grant us the vision and humor to leave every encounter inspired and delighted by what is emerging in our world through these precious people growing up around us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
adapted from "The Gifts of Children" by Robert Winfield Shaffer. Berea College Printing Services. p, 50.
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:#354" Seek Ye First" (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:#113 "Jesus Loves Me" (all stanzas)
Discipleship Hymn:#113 "Jesus Loves Me" (all stanzas)
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song:#433"Blest Be the Tie that Binds" (stanza 1)
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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