Morning Worship Service Outline for May 5, 2024 the 6th Sunday of Easter at Ten-Thirty in the Morning
The Gathering of God’s People
(Where you see an asterisk (*) please stand as you are able.)
Welcome and Announcements:
The Prelude: Stephen Winslow, Organist
“Jesus Loves Me” arr. James Boeringer
Call to Worship:
Leader: We come to join with all the earth in praise:
People: to sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things, who has shown us steadfast love and faithfulness.
Leader: We praise the Lord with joyful noises joining the symphony of the earth:
People: the roar of the ocean, the call of the birds, the wind across the hills, people in every corner of the globe.
Leader: On this sabbath day of rest and gladness…
People: we greet you with joy, our living God!
Opening Prayer:
*Hymn of Praise: “Earth and All Stars” #458
*Call to Confession:
*Unison Prayer of Confession:
All: Tender God, forgive us for our half-hearted faith that loves only when it is easy, and reaches out only to those who are like us, that ignores your less convenient commandments and fails to bear fruit anyone would rejoice in.
How can a faith like that conquer the world with your love? Nourish us again, to blossom with whole-hearted faith that abides in your love and shines forth with joy. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
<Silence is kept>
*Assurance of Forgiveness:
Leader: …In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God!
*Passing of the Peace:
Leader: …The peace of the Lord be with you!
All: And also, with you!
*Gloria Patri: “Glory Be to the Father” #579
We Hear God’s Word
Anthem: “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” Stuart Townend
Prayer for Illumination:
Scriptures:
1st New Testament Reading: Acts 10:44-48 pg. 1710
Psalm Reading: Psalm 98 pg. 935
2nd New Testament Reading: 1 John 5:1-6 pg. 1903
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17 pg. 1676
Sermon: “He Chose You” Pastor Josh Botts
We Respond to God’s Word
*Hymn of Response: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” #403
*Affirmation of Faith: (from the Belhar Confession)
All: We believe in the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit. This, God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end.
We believe that Christ’s work of reconciliation is made manifest in the Church, as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another; that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation for the Church of Jesus Christ.
We believe that this unity of the people of God must be manifested and be active in a variety of ways: in that we love one another, and that we experience, practice and pursue community with one another.
We believe that the variety of spiritual gifts, opportunities, backgrounds, convictions, as well as the various languages and cultures, are by virtue of the reconciliation in Christ, opportunities for mutual service and enrichment within the one visible people of God. Jesus is Lord. Amen.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns:
Prayers of the People:
The Prayer Response: (sung in unison)
Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline Thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
Invitation to Offering:
The Giving of our Offering:
Offertory: “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love” Ghanian folk tune
*Doxology: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #592
*Prayer of Dedication:
The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper
Invitation:
Great Thanksgiving:
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also, with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Communion: The ushers will serve the communion elements.
We hold the bread until all have been served so that we may remember that Christ died for all of us; and partake of the cup as it is received in remembrance that Christ died for each of us.
Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” #442
*Benediction:
The postlude provides the transition from sacred worship back into our varied lives and activities, equipped with renewed courage, energy, and a commitment to serve God and others, until we are able to meet again, in worship. We invite you to remain seated.
Postlude: “The Heavens Declare” Benedetto Marcello
<Parts of the Liturgy adapted from the Presbyterian Outlook and the Abingdon Worship Annual>
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