ORDER OF WORSHIP
5th Sunday of Easter
May 7, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
The church gathers to offer God praise
and God is here!
The church gathers to learn about God’s call
and God is here!
The church gathers to provide each one strength and comfort
and God is here!
All: Together we are the church, so let us worship God.
*OPENING HYMN (Red #475) ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’
Come, thou Fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!
Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In unison)
Before God and one another, we confess our reluctance to receive our calling as God’s people, made by God and chosen as witnesses to God’s dream of justice and joy. Remind us, God, that you have made us to be part of the body of your church, working to spread your good news to one another and to the world. Renew us and give us courage to live out your way of peace and grace. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
*GLORIA PATRI
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.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 31:1-4 (read responsively)
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
1 Peter 2:2-10
2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”
8and
“A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
Gospel reading: John 14:1-3, 11-14
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
SERMON ‘I am a rock, you are a rock, we are all rocks together’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison)
Wherever the church exists, its members are both gathered in corporate life and dispersed in society for the sake of mission in the world. The church gathers to praise God, to hear God’s word for mankind, to baptize and to join in the Lord’s Supper, to pray for and present the world to God in worship, to enjoy fellowship, to receive instruction, strength, and comfort; to be tested, renewed, and reformed.
The church disperses to serve God wherever its members are, at work or play, in private or in the life of society. Their prayer and Bible study are part of the church’s worship and theological reflection. Their witness is the church’s evangelism. Their daily action in the world is the church in mission to the world. The quality of their relation with other persons is the measure of the church’s fidelity. Each member is the church in the world, endowed by the Spirit with some gift of ministry. - From the Confession of 1967
CALL TO OFFERING
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘Communion Prayer’ by Allen Pote Choir
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
COMMUNION HYMN: (Red # 519) “You Are My All in All”
You are my strength when I am weak;
You are the treasure that I seek;
You are my all in all.
When I fall down, you pick me up;
When I am dry, you fill my cup;
You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name!
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
and also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer continues…
… we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer continues…
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
Prayer continues…
…Together we pray as our Lord has taught us to pray,
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN (Red # 295) “Go to the World”
Go to the world! Go into all the earth.
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth,
baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Go to the world! Go into every place.
Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
The nights of tears give way to joyous day.
As servant church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
for I am with you till the age shall end,
when all the hosts of glory cry “Amen!”
Alleluia. Alleluia.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
5th Sunday of Easter
May 7, 2023
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
The church gathers to offer God praise
and God is here!
The church gathers to learn about God’s call
and God is here!
The church gathers to provide each one strength and comfort
and God is here!
All: Together we are the church, so let us worship God.
*OPENING HYMN (Red #475) ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’
Come, thou Fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!
Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In unison)
Before God and one another, we confess our reluctance to receive our calling as God’s people, made by God and chosen as witnesses to God’s dream of justice and joy. Remind us, God, that you have made us to be part of the body of your church, working to spread your good news to one another and to the world. Renew us and give us courage to live out your way of peace and grace. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
*GLORIA PATRI
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.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 31:1-4 (read responsively)
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
1 Peter 2:2-10
2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”
8and
“A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
Gospel reading: John 14:1-3, 11-14
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
SERMON ‘I am a rock, you are a rock, we are all rocks together’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison)
Wherever the church exists, its members are both gathered in corporate life and dispersed in society for the sake of mission in the world. The church gathers to praise God, to hear God’s word for mankind, to baptize and to join in the Lord’s Supper, to pray for and present the world to God in worship, to enjoy fellowship, to receive instruction, strength, and comfort; to be tested, renewed, and reformed.
The church disperses to serve God wherever its members are, at work or play, in private or in the life of society. Their prayer and Bible study are part of the church’s worship and theological reflection. Their witness is the church’s evangelism. Their daily action in the world is the church in mission to the world. The quality of their relation with other persons is the measure of the church’s fidelity. Each member is the church in the world, endowed by the Spirit with some gift of ministry. - From the Confession of 1967
CALL TO OFFERING
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘Communion Prayer’ by Allen Pote Choir
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
COMMUNION HYMN: (Red # 519) “You Are My All in All”
You are my strength when I am weak;
You are the treasure that I seek;
You are my all in all.
When I fall down, you pick me up;
When I am dry, you fill my cup;
You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name!
Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
and also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer continues…
… we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer continues…
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
Prayer continues…
…Together we pray as our Lord has taught us to pray,
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN (Red # 295) “Go to the World”
Go to the world! Go into all the earth.
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth,
baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Go to the world! Go into every place.
Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
The nights of tears give way to joyous day.
As servant church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
for I am with you till the age shall end,
when all the hosts of glory cry “Amen!”
Alleluia. Alleluia.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE