Month: May 2019

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body— a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP  Psalm 67:1-7

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make God’s face to shine upon us,
            that your way may be known upon earth,
            your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
            let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
            for you judge the peoples with equity
            and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
            let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase;
            God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
            let all the ends of the earth revere God.

*HYMN 254  That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright  

                                                              PUER NOBIS NASCITUR

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

No matter where we have come from,
no matter where we are going –
God is for us and God is with us.
No matter what we have done,
No matter what we have left undone –
God is for us and God is with us.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious God,
Your redeeming love for all Creation
is embodied in Christ Jesus,
who also calls us to embody your all-inclusive love.
But we fail to listen, refuse to understand, or simply choose not to respond to your call.
Bring your Spirit to rest anew upon us,
that we might know more deeply your unconditional love for us—and knowing ourselves so loved,
might share more fully with others the life of your
Beloved One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

We do not need to let our hearts be troubled, nor do we need to let them be afraid. For in this moment and always, God extends grace and peace beyond our understanding to all people through the risen Christ.

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 243, Be Not Afraid

Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!

SCRIPTURE READING  John 5:1-9

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us — thanks be to God.

SERMON                   I Carry My Mat                      Jenny Cook

*HYMN 796  We Come to You for Healing, Lord

                                                                                                          LAND OF REST

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY

Let trumpets sound and voices sing!
Let all on earth their praises bring! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For Christ has conquered sin and death
And given life eternal breath.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Gracious God,
We thank you that with time comes growth
and a better understanding of who you are
and who you call us to be.
You have blessed us and continue to bless us.
You are gracious and shine your face upon us.
Thank you for giving us the space we need
to learn to love ourselves with your great love as our guide
so that we can love others in return.

Silent meditation.

We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray together saying:

Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others; 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 377  I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light  HOUSTON

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

***

The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Jenny Cook, Preacher
Mark Beall, Musician
Carrie Fraser, Liturgist
Ashlan Jackson and Jude Romines, Offering Takers

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body— a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP  Psalm 148:2-5

Praise the Holy One from the heavens;
            praise God in the heights!
Praise God, all God’s angels;
            praise God, all God’s host!
Praise God, sun and moon;
            give praise, all you shining stars!
Give praise, you highest heavens,
            and waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Holy One,
            for God commanded and they were created.

*HYMN 26 Earth and All Stars!  EARTH AND ALL STARS

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Join me in this morning’s prayer of confession
as we continue to ask for grace in our lives
and learn how to extend such grace and love to one another.
And as we do so, may we remember that the risen Christ
steps in when we feel inadequate, helpless,
and do not know what we are doing.
Let us pray.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+

Living God,
long ago, faithful women
proclaimed the good news
of Jesus’ resurrection,
and the world was changed forever.
Teach us to keep faith with them,
that our witness may be as bold,
our love as deep,
and our faith as true. Amen.

Silent confession.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

In John 13:34, Christ said: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 243, Be Not Afraid

Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!

SCRIPTURE READING  Psalm 148

SCRIPTURE READING  Acts 11:1-18

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us — thanks be to God.

SERMON                         Title                           Emily Martin  

*HYMN 320 The Church of Christ in Every Age   WAREHAM

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer.

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY

Let trumpets sound and voices sing!
Let all on earth their praises bring! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For Christ has conquered sin and death
And given life eternal breath.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING  Don’t Hesitate, Mary Oliver

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

Silent meditation.

We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray together saying:

Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others; 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 231 Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers    Alternate Tune: NETTLETON

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
+Reprinted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts

***

The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Emily Martin, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Jenny Cook, Liturgist
Kim Smith and Melissa Vargas, Offering Takers

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body— a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP  Psalm 22:25-28

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who revere you.
           The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek God shall praise the Holy One.
May your hearts live forever!
           All the ends of the earth shall remember
           and turn to the Holy One;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before God.
           For dominion belongs to the Holy One,
            and God rules over the nations.

*HYMN 802  The King of Love My Shepherd Is  ST. COLUMBA

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

May our time of confession
be what it’s like to approach still waters.
May it restore our souls.
May it center us,
offering a sense of calm amidst the clutter
and clamor in our lives.
May it open us to ourselves and to God –
a God who is always listening.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+

Creator of the Universe,
you made the world in beauty,
and restore all things in glory
through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured
by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,
the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love,
and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Silent confession.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

By God’s great mercy
we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 243, Be Not Afraid

SCRIPTURE READING  Psalm 23

SCRIPTURE READING  Revelation 7:2-17

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us — thanks be to God.

SERMON                      No More Tears                       Jeff Moles  

*HYMN 374  O Holy City, Seen of John  MORNING SONG

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY

Let trumpets sound and voices sing!
Let all on earth their praises bring! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For Christ has conquered sin and death
And given life eternal breath.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING+

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

God of Comfort and Compassion,
we thank you that, through Christ Jesus,
you lead us to the water of life and table of your bounty.
May we who have received
the tender love of our Good Shepherd
be strengthened by your grace
to care for your flock
in all of the blessings of this life. Amen.

We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray together saying:

Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others; 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 366 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling  HYFRYDOL

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

+Reprinted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts

***

The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Jeff Moles, Preacher and Director of Music Ministries
Ashlan Jackson, Liturgist
Tracy Bell and Becky Goodman, Offering Takers

We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.

In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body— a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP From Psalm 30

Sing praises to the Holy One, God’s faithful ones,
           and give thanks to God’s holy name.
Weeping may linger for the night,
           but joy comes with the morning.
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
           you have taken off my sackcloth
           and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
           O Holy One my God,
            I will give thanks to you forever.

*HYMN 246  Christ is Alive!  TRURO

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+

Mighty God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
you stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning
when, in the glorious presence of Christ Jesus,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people. Amen.

Silent confession.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Hymn 243, Be Not Afraid

SCRIPTURE READING 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us— thanks be to God.

SERMON          The Elephant in the Room           Travis Chavis  

*HYMN 835  Just a Closer Walk with Thee  CLOSER WALK

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY

Let trumpets sound and voices sing!
Let all on earth their praises bring! Alleluia! Alleluia!
For Christ has conquered sin and death
And given life eternal breath.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

HOLY COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

God of all mercies, we give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, but above all for your boundless love in the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup,
remembering Jesus’ suffering and death,
proclaiming the Good News of his resurrection.

Mighty God,
let your Spirit move in power over us,
and over these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may be for us
the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
Strengthened by this holy meal,
may we live for that day
when all peoples are free, all divisions healed,
and the whole of your creation sings your praise together.

And we give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray together saying:

Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others; 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

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

*HYMN 463  How Firm a Foundation  FOUNDATION

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
+Reprinted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts

***

The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Heidi Hall
Melinda Sanders, Moderator

We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:

Travis Chavis, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Elizabeth Welliver, Liturgist
Steve Fay and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers