The Third Sunday of Easter

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