SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP
6th Sunday of Easter
May 22, 2022
PRELUDE
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
God’s goodness is breaking into the world.
We do not expect the Spirit’s movement.
God gathers in those we judged to be outsiders.
We witness this in-breaking as healing, wholeness, restoration, and peace.
*HYMN #375 (Red) ‘Shall We Gather at the River’
Shall we gather at the river,
where bright angel feet have trod;
with its crystal tide forever
flowing by the throne of God?
Refrain:
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
the beautiful, the beautiful river;
gather with the saints at the river
that flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river,
washing up its silver spray,
we will walk and worship ever,
all the happy golden day. [Refrain]
Ere we reach the shining river,
lay we every burden down;
grace our spirits will deliver,
and provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]
Soon we'll reach the shining river,
soon our pilgrimage will cease;
soon our happy hearts will quiver
with the melody of peace. [Refrain]
CALL TO CONFESSION
We are a people living in sin. We are a people in need of God’s vision, praying for our eyes to be opened. We are a people in need of God’s reversal, praying for our hearts to be softened. We are a people in need of God’s reconciliation, praying that our faces might be illumined by God’s presence. Let us claim our need of God, confessing our sin together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we equate our judgment with your judgment, and often consider our ways to be your ways. We define peace as the absence of disruption, holding our comfort as your aim and thinking our preferences reflect your way. Too often we act as if we are your authoritative witnesses, believing our worldview corresponds with your vision, and that our narrative contains your hope for the future. O God, dislodge us from our sinful assumptions. Forgive our selfish views. Correct us with your truth and teach us by your Spirit. (Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
It is the Lord who opens eyes to see.
It is the Lord who softens hearts to hear.
It is the Lord who returns us to God’s presence.
Peace, peace, peace--
you are loved. You are enough. You belong.
In Jesus Christ you are restored.
Thanks be to our God forever and ever.
GLORIA PATRI (please stand)
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 FOR ILLUMINATION
God Most High, reigning in glory, send down your Spirit of wisdom to shine in your heavenly Word, so that we may worship you with joy continually blessing your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open our eyes, Lord. Wake us from lethargy. O dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 67 (read responsively)
1May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
5 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
6 The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
7 May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Acts 16:9-15
9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
”This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Alleluia, Amen!
REFLECTION: ‘An Amazing Detour’ Rev. Norlita Kaul
HYMN #490 (Red) ‘Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters’
Wash, O God, your sons and daughters,
newborn creatures of your womb.
Number them among your people,
raised like Christ from death and tomb.
Weave them garments bright and sparkling;
compass them with love and light.
Fill, anoint them, send your Spirit,
holy dove and heart’s delight.
Every day we need your nurture;
by your milk may we be fed.
Let us join your feast, partaking
cup of blessing, living bread.
God, renew us; guide our footsteps,
free from sin and all its snares,
one with Christ in living, dying,
by your Spirit, children, heirs.
O how deep your holy wisdom!
Unimagined, all your ways!
To your name be glory, honor!
With our lives we worship, praise!
We your people stand before you,
water-washed and Spirit born.
By your grace, our lives we offer.
Recreate us; God, transform!
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH –
New life in Christ takes shape in a community in which people know that God loves and accepts them in spite of what they are. They therefore accept themselves and love others, knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, except God’s grace.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22
INVITATION TO OFFERING
How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods yet refuses to help a sister or brother in need? Remembering God’s great love for the world, let us offer our lives to the Lord. Amen.
1 John 3:16–17
SPECIAL MUSIC 'Arioso' MK Hugghins, organist
DOXOLOGY (please stand)
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
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, you are a loving parent imparting wisdom to those who love and follow you. As Jesus demonstrated to his disciples, you offer the immeasurable peace of an eternal home. We praise your name in the comfort of this peace and place these tithes and offerings before you. Multiply these gifts so that those seeking to establish peace in this world will feel your guiding hand. We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen. (John 14:23-29 David S. Bell)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Bob J
-Beth L
-Bob B
-Marlys M
-Kennedy N
-Art V
-Bill D (Ann’s husband)
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Jerry (Judy S’s friend)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Andrew L
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew)
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Bob & Jan J
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Judy S, Richard & Judy S, Susan S
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
Prayers for Second Presbyterian in Flandreau and Wentworth Presbyterian in Wentworth and their pastor, Pastor Ann Spitzenberger; Robby & Donna, and Elizabeth (CREs), our Presbytery of South Dakota; churches searching in pastoral search process, First PC Rapid City; the PCUSA (leaders and staff); and our own Session, Deacons, members and friends. We continue to pray for Christ’s church universal and at work here in Brookings.
For the humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Europe’s Baltic Region. Be with our troops and their families as they serve us with dignity, honor, bravery, and valor.
Victims and families affected by the Coronavirus 1 million + people have died in the U.S. For those in our world that must deal with the pain, sadness, and loss..
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.
*HYMN #475 (Red) ‘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 Ebenzer;
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Adult Sunday School meets at 9:15 AM.
Youth Sunday School meets at 11:45AM.
May 22 is the last day of Sunday School which resumes in September.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE for EUGENE (GENE) GOODALE will be held at First Presbyterian Church tomorrow, May 23 at 11:00AM. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM at the church. The service will be followed by military rites and reception at McCrory Gardens.
TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP will be meeting at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting. Questions, contact Lee P (692-7757).
PASTOR’S TABLE will be held Wednesday, May 25 12:00 noon until 2 PM at Meadow Green Visitor’s Center which is at 2021 Monarch Lane. RSVP by Monday, May 23.
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church. We are studying the book of Matthew.
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
BENEDICTION
May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other. Amen. (Mizpah Benediction)
POSTLUDE
Thanks to everyone who helped with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week!
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org. and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; adapted from the prayer found on: https://aprilfiet.com