Worship Service Bulletin
A Service for the Lord’s Day
5th Sunday of Easter
(*Please stand in body or in spirit)
The Instrumental Prelude and Time for Meditation
Announcements, Rev. Hana Elliott
Celebrations and the Birthday Song,
Happy birthday, happy birthday, your friends are all singing.
May the year that is coming bring gladness to you.
May it teach you to be helpful, kindhearted, and loving.
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.
*Call to Worship,
Leader: Come to us even now O Lord of Life,
People: And fill this place with your presence!
Leader: We paise your name and rejoice in your love,
People: We stand in utter amazement of who you are!
Leader: Everyone who calls upon you will find fulfillment,
People: They will rejoice forever, because you are God!
*Hymn #29 “We Sing the Greatness of Our God”
*Call to Confession, (1)
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; yet we are justified by the gift of God’s grace through the redemption that is ours in Christ Jesus. Trusting in God's mercy, let us confess our sin, first in silence and then aloud together.
*Prayer of Confession, (2) In Unison
(Begin with individual silent prayer before joining in unison)
Gracious God, our hearts are restless until they find their home in you. Forgive our pursuit of things that separate us from you. We pursue success, realizing it will never be enough. We desire more possessions, knowing they are empty. We turn toward the world and hope we will find peace, knowing the world cannot provide it. Forgive us, we pray, and may our wandering hearts find their rest in you alone.
*Assurance of Forgiveness, (3)
(1) from Romans 3:23-24
(2) written by Tara Bulger, © Presbyterian Outlook, 2024
(3) from Romans 6:8,11
If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. Therefore, consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
*The Gloris #108, In Unison
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen
*Passing of the Peace,
When we abide in Christ’s peace, Christ’s peace abides in us. May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer for Illumination, (4)
Let us pray: God of love, plant us in the soil of your grace. Nurture us with the strength of Chrit, the vine of everlasting life. Enlighten us with the wisdom of your Spirit, which flows through us today and all days. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
First Scripture Reading, 1 John 4:7-21 (pg. 1197)
Second Scripture Reading, John 15:1-8 (pg. 1060)
Sermon, “Growing Vulnerable”
*Hymn #342 “How Firm a Foundation”
*Affirmation of Faith, (5)
In forming his people and sending them into the world Jesus called individuals to be disciples. They were to share the joy of his companionship, to understand and obey his teachings, and to follow him in life and death. We confess that Christians today are called to discipleship. Life shared with Christ and shaped by Christ is God's undeserved gift to each of us. It is also God's demand upon every one of us, never perfectly fulfilled by any of us. Forgiven by God and supported by brothers and sisters, we strive to become more faithful and effective in our daily practice of the Christian life.
Call to Offering,
Offering what we have for the sake of others is a discipline of pruning—letting go of our possessions, our time, and even ourselves—to extend the gospel witness into the world
(4) adapted from minstrymatters.com
(5) from A Declaration of Faith
Offering,
Monetary gifts may be placed in the offering plates by the door to the sanctuary or in the narthex: Offerings of volunteer hours may be made by filling out a slip of paper regarding the number and type of hours, an putting it into the jar on the table by the door inside the sanctuary.
*Doxology #109
Praise God from whom all blessing flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication,
Let us pray: Through our offerings, O God, give your loving Spirit to a world in need of comfort. Make our many gifts one offering for the world; in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayers of the People, (6)
…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.
Choral Response,
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen
*Hymn #380 “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated”
*Charge & Blessing,
*Choral Response, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Mortals, join the happy chorus which the morning stars began;
Love divine is reigning o’er us, joining all in heaven’s plan.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.
*The Choral Amen,
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(6) adapted from Terri at revgalblogpals.org
