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UPCOMING WORSHIP:
View a PDF of the Worship bulletin here.
April 28, 2024
Fifth Sunday of Easter
We Come Together as God’s People
Prelude Prelude on ST. COLUMBA Harold Friedell
Dr. John Allegar, organ (1905-1958)
Welcome Rev. Christopher A. Henry
* Call to Worship Rev. Madison M. VanVeelen
One: Worship can always hold your story:
All: We bring our joy, our sorrow, our heartbreak, and our hope.
One: Worship always proclaims a new story:
All: God is always with us, so we are never alone.
We are called by name and claimed by love.
The hungry will be fed, the grieving will be comforted, the sick will be healed.
One: With trust and anticipation, with imagination and expectation:
All: Let us worship God.
Reception of New Members
Sacrament of Baptism
* Processional Hymn #423 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun DUKE STREET
Invitation to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God,
Most days we do not know what we are doing or where we are going.
We have become proficient at pretending, but that is exhausting.
We keep secrets that burden us.
We tell lies that eat away at us.
We lose track of your vision.
We push others away.
We need help, but it is so hard to ask.
So come to us, O God.
Meet us here, hold us close, and make us right. (Silent Prayer)
Assurance of God’s Grace
Response of Praise Sing Praises to the Lord Ruth Elaine Schram
Children’s Choirs; Patrick Pauloski & Carol Baker, directors
Danny Fisher, piano; Tom Ristine, guitar
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
The birds in the trees, the bugs and the bees,
the fish in the sea, and you and me!
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
* Passing the Peace of Christ
* Hymn #390 O Savior, in This Quiet Place ST. STEPHEN
We Experience God’s Word
Children’s Anthem Isaiah 58:12 Patrick Pauloski
(b. 1993)
You’ll be known as those that can fix anything,
You’ll be known as those that can fix anything,
Restore old ruins, rebuild, and renovate.
Make the community livable again.
The Word with Children
Prayer for Illumination Teri Cochran
First Scripture Lesson Psalm 72:1-2, 4, 12-13 (p. 522)
Anthem Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether Harold Friedell
Sanctuary Choir; Dr. Michelle Louer, conductor (1905-1958)
Draw us in the Spirit’s tether; For when humbly, in thy name,
Two or three are met together, Thou art in the midst of them:
Alleluya! Alleluya! Touch we now thy garment’s hem.
As the brethren used to gather In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluya! Alleluya! So knit thou our friendship up.
All our meals and all our living Make as sacraments of thee,
That by caring, helping, giving, We may true disciples be.
Alleluya! Alleluya! We will serve thee faithfully.
Text: Percy Dearmer (1867-1936)
Second Scripture Lesson Isaiah 56:1-2, 6-8 (p. 672)
Sermon Rev. Christopher A. Henry
Warning: Construction Area
“These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
(Isaiah 56:7)
Moment of Silent Meditation
We Give Thanks to God
* Affirmation of Faith A Declaration of Faith Rev. Karen L. Lang
We believe our hope in God gives us courage for the struggle.
The people of God have often misused God’s promises
as excuses for doing nothing about present evils.
But in Christ the new world has already broken in
and the old can no longer be tolerated.
We know our efforts cannot bring in God’s kingdom.
But hope plunges us into the struggle
for victories over evil that are possible now
in the world, the church, and our individual lives.
Hope gives us courage and energy
to contend against all opposition,
however invincible it may seem,
for the new world and the new humanity
that are surely coming.
Jesus is Lord!
He has been Lord from the beginning.
He will be Lord at the end. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Invitation to Discipleship and Generosity
Offertory Three Versetti in F Major Giacomo Puccini
(1858-1924)
* Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
* Prayer of Dedication
We Go Forth to Serve
* Closing Hymn #434 Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples KINGSFOLD
* Charge and Benediction
* Choral Benediction Song of Hope ARGENTINA
May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
Bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace,
Singing, share our joy with all,
Working for a world that’s new,
Faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
Postlude Toccata on “O Filii et Filiae” Lynnwood Farnam
(1885-1930)