Online Worship May 9, 2021

 Transitional Format

Witness, Worship, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY

May 9, 2021
Sixth Sunday of Easter Season

Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross,  a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet  or computer where you can see and hear it. You may want to connect a charger, rather than rely on battery.

Invocation
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 faithfulness and steadfast love revealed in the risen Christ. Fill us with generosity and courage so that we may be called your friends and go forth to befriend your world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
— adapted from a prayer 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.

Witness
Today's guest disciple is John Mills, professor and Women's Basketball Coach at Alice Lloyd College in Pippapasses, Ky.

Worship

Lighting the Candles  We light our candles or lights.
Call to Worship

Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!
Voice One: Come, let us worship God in Spirit and truth,
Voice Two: For God is our source, our light, our life, wherever we may be!

Word

Scripture: Acts 10:44-48  (Read all of chapter 10 for background)
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 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, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
-New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Meditation
Challenge for Discipleship

Welcome- The Lord's Supper

Invitation to the Table -All are welcome to partake in the bread and cup at the table of God's love. It is Chrsit who is our host. The bread and cup and placed on the table for the Lord’s Supper now. When you hear the Words of Institution, partake of the elements.
Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Gwynne Griffith and Kathy Sharp.
Words of Institution 

Prayer of Response
Holy Watering One, Fount of Every Blessing, We open to you this morning, our parched places to receive the springs of living water You offer to us.

Most of the time, most of us don’t even know we are thirsty. We don’t know the deep dehydration that scours our bones and parches our hearts.

Sometimes, when our thirst pangs emerge, we draw from the enticing wells of the world’s offering of power and profit, which leave us even more empty.

Still us, God, so we might listen to You speaking to us, knowing us, seeing us, loving us.

Fill us with your Living Water that will transform our spirits and souls into springs that burst forth with life and love for your people, for ourselves, and for our world.

As we pray together as Jesus Christ has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

~ written by Rev. Karla and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/2017/03/18/sunday-prayer-213/

Blessing     We speak in unison.


The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us.   And we abide in peace!