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

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Welcome to this ancient place.
            All: House of prayer for many people;
            Home to all who come.
Leader: Welcome to this gathering place.
            All: Friend and stranger,
            saint and sinner in all who gather here.
Leader: Come with hope or hesitation; come with joy or yearning;
all who hunger, all who thirst for life in all its fullness.
            All: Generous God and generous Saviour,
            touch us through your Spirit.

*HYMN 450   Be Thou My Vision   SLANE

CELTIC PRAYER

O God, who gave to your servant Columba the gifts of courage, faith and cheerfulness, and sent people forth from Ireland and Iona to carry the word of your gospel to every creature; grant, we pray, a like spirit to your church, even at this present time.

Further in all things the purpose of our community, that hidden things may be revealed to us, and new ways found to touch the hearts of all.

May we preserve with each other sincere charity and peace, and, if it be your holy will, grant that this place of your abiding be continued still to be a sanctuary and a light.  Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Leader: Holy God, Maker of all –
            All: Lord forgive us.
Leader: Jesus Christ, Servant of the poor –
            All: Lord forgive us.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Breath of life –
            All: Lord forgive us.

Leader: Let us confess in silence our faults and admit our frailty.

Leader: Before God, with the people of God, we confess to our brokenness; to the ways we wound our lives, to the lives of others, and the life of the world.
            All: May God forgive us, Christ renew us, and the Spirit enable us
  to grow in love.
Leader: Let us, the children of God, greet each other with signs of peace, peace of Christ to you!
            All: Amen.

*HYMN 543  O Christ Surround Me  GREEN TYLER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LIGHTING OF CANDLES

SCRIPTURE READING John 13:21-30

SERMON Andy Ward

*HYMN  Inspired by Love and Anger  (insert)  SALLEY GARDENS 

*CELTIC AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in God, whose love is the source of all life and the desire of our lives, whose love was given a human face in Jesus of Nazareth, whose love was crucified by the evil that waits to enslave us all and whose love, defeating even death, is our glorious promise of freedom. Therefore, though we are sometimes fearful and full of doubt, in God we trust; and, in the name of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves, in the service of others, to seek justice and to live in peace, to care for the earth and to share the commonwealth of God’s goodness, to live in freedom of forgiveness and the power of the spirit of love, and the company of the faithful so to be the church, for the glory of God. Amen.

TITHES AND OFFERING  Amazing Grace

*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.

A Prayer of the Iona Community of Scotland:

Generous Creator,
You keep us waiting.
You, the God of all time,
want us to wait for the right time in which to discover
who we are, where we must go,
who will be with us, and what we must do.
So, thank you…for the waiting time.

You keep us looking.
You, the God of all space,
want us to look in the right and wrong places for signs of hope,
for people who are hopeless,
for visions of a better world that will appear among the disappointments of the world we know.
So, thank you…for the looking time.

You keep us loving.
You, the God whose name is love,
want us to be like you –
to love the loveless and the unlovely and the unlovable;
to love without jealousy or design or threat,
and most difficult of all, to love ourselves.
So, thank you…for the loving time.

And in all this you keep us,
through hard questions with no easy answers;
through failing where we hoped to succeed and making an impact when we felt useless;
through the patience and the dreams and the love of others;
and through Jesus Christ and his Spirit, you keep us. Amen. 

The prayer concludes by singing The Casa Del Sol Prayer of Jesus.
A copy of this prayer can be found on the seat of your pew.

*HYMN 100  Canticle of the Turning   STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

*CHARGE

POSTLUDE  Highland Cathedral  Korb/Roever

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

***

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

Andrew Ward, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Heidi Hall, Liturgist

A special thank you to today’s guest musicians:

Melissa DuPuy
John Mock
Jason Bunn
Bill Verdier

PRELUDE      “The Trumpet Shall Sound”  from Messiah  
Handel, arr. Hopson

*CALL TO WORSHIP

The tomb is empty!
          Christ is risen!
The soldiers have returned home.
          Christ is risen!
The anger of the crowds is gone.
          Christ is risen!
The time of grieving has ended.
          Christ is risen!
Violence, fear, and death have disappeared!
          Christ is risen!
Come, let us go to the house of the Holy One!
          Christ is risen! Indeed, Christ is risen!

VESTING THE SANCTUARY

*HYMN 232  Jesus Christ is Risen Today   EASTER HYMN

*INVITATION TO HOPE

*PRAYER OF HOPE IN CHRIST

Eternal God,
by the power of your redeeming love,
Christ Jesus is raised to new life.
We confess that even as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection,
we do not wholly trust your redemptive power,
nor fully believe the Good News of Jesus.
Renew our faith and revive our hope,
that we might joyfully live
the new life you bring to all Creation,
as we share with others the risen life
of your Beloved, Anointed One.
Amen.

Silent confession.

*ASSURANCE OF HOPE  Matt. 28:5b–6

“Do not be afraid; I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.”

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.

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  HYMN 243 Be Not Afraid

SCRIPTURE READING  John 20:1-18

SERMON    “Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There”    Mark DeVries

*HYMN 248  Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!  HYMN TO JOY

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

GREAT 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.

It is truly right and our greatest joy
to give you thanks and praise,
O God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
Your hand has formed us from dust of the earth
and set us among all your creatures to love and serve you.

When we are unfaithful to you, you keep faith with us,
remaining steadfast in your love for us.
You break the bonds of our oppression,
bring us to live in freedom,
and make covenant with us to be our God.
In the prophets you teach us justice and compassion,
and in Jesus of Nazareth you embody among us
your eternal grace and truth.

Therefore, we join our voices and sing your praise:
HYMN 552

You are holy, O God of majesty,
and blessed is Christ Jesus, your Beloved One.
He came with healing in his touch
and was wounded for our sins.
He came with kindness in his voice
and was mocked by others.

He came with peace in his heart
but was met violence with death.
By your power he overcame the power of death
and opened the way to new life for all.
The one who was dead now lives,
the one who was humiliated is raised to glory,
the one who now lives with you is with us always.

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

Gracious God,
pour out your Spirit upon us,
and upon these your gifts of bread and wine,
that the bread we break and the cup we bless
may be for us the body and blood of Christ Jesus.
Help us realize in the breaking of bread
the presence of your Beloved, Anointed One.
Give all who are fed at this table
grace to share bread with the hungry,
and Good News with the hungry of heart.
Nourished by his holy meal,
may we all grow to greater maturity in Christ.

          Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
          in the unity of the holy spirit,
          all glory, and honor are yours, Eternal God,
          now and forever. Amen.

We now 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.

BREAKING THE BREAD

These are the gifts of God.
          For the people of God.

*HYMN 536  Rise, O Church, Like Christ Arisen   SURGE ECCLESIA

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Gracious God,
you have made us one with all your people
in heaven and on earth.
You have fed us with the bread of life,
and renewed us for your service.
Help us follow more faithfully
the way of Christ Jesus,
so that our daily living may bear witness
to your undying love for all the world.  Amen.

*HYMN 249   Because You Live, O Christ   VRUECHTEN

*EASTER AFFIRMATION AND DISMISSAL

Christ is risen!
          Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Let us go forth in the name and Spirit of Christ Jesus.
          Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE    Trumpet Tune in G     Bankson

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

The Easter lilies in the sanctuary have been donated by individuals in honor or in memory of loved ones.

The lilies are dedicated to the following:

Bob Gardner by Greg Gardner
Jerry Jud by Mark DeVries
Janice Osborne, Grace and Glenn Mitchell by Becky Goodman
Janice Osborne by Bill Osborne
The David Hamilton Family by David Hamilton

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

Mark DeVries, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Greg Gardner, Liturgist
Jenny Cook and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers

A special thank you to today’s guest musicians:

Nicholas Rankin, ensemble coordinator
Laura Scheuemann, trumpet
Kevin Griffin, trumpet
Sammi Davenport, horn
Connor Naaden, trombone
Chris Colalillo, tuba
Chris Nelson, timpani

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  Isaiah 43:19-21

I am about to do a new thing;
            now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
            The wild animals will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
            for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
            to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
            so that they might declare my praise.

*HYMN 440  Jesus, Lover of My Soul  ABERSTWYTH

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION^

Loving God, how lavishly you pour out
the gift of your grace upon us.
Fill our homes and our lives
with the fragrance of your love,
so that we may show your glory
and serve your people;
through Christ Jesus, your Beloved One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Kyrie Eleison

A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE  Psalm 126:6

Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

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 435, verse 1

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.

SCRIPTURE READING John 12:1-8

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                           
In the Middle of Affliction                         Travis Chavis  

*HYMN 201  A Prophet-Woman Broke a Jar  

                                                    HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY  Hymn 223, verse 4

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

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.

The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus.  A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

*HYMN  226  There in God’s Garden  SHADES MOUNTAIN

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
^From the PCUSA Revised Common Lectionary

***

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
Brett Withers, Liturgist
Steve Fay and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers

Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.

The East Nashville Training Hub:

In this chapter of Woodland’s life together, our church is engaged in an innovative partnership called the East Nashville Training Hub. The Training Hub, made up of mostly young adults, carry much of the day-to-day responsibilities for the church, including preaching and worship planning, service and fellowship events, and children’s ministry.  We are grateful for the energy, creativity, and engaging wisdom of this team!

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  2 Corninthians 17-18

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation
            Everything old has passed away;
            see, everything has become new!
All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself through Christ
            and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

*HYMN 215  What Wondrous Love Is This     WONDROUS LOVE

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Let us join in this morning’s prayer of confession knowing
that we are invited into the ministry of reconciliation, trusting
that in all things, we are made new and deserving of renewal.
Let us pray.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION^

God of the lost, the least, and all who long for home,
when we wander from your ways
and waste the gifts you have given us,
welcome us back, we pray,
so that we may celebrate and rejoice
in your presence forever;
through Christ Jesus,
Your Beloved One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Kyrie Eleison

A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE+

Return to the Holy One your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

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 435, verse 1

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 32

SCRIPTURE READING  Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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          
It’s Time to Get Up and Go            Meredith Cox  

*HYMN 771  What Is the World Like     NEW WORLD

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY  Hymn 223, verse 4

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

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.
(The prayer continues.)

The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus.  A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.

*HYMN 22  God of the Sparrow    ROEDER

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
^From the PCUSA Revised Common Lectionary
+From the Book of Common Worship

***

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:

Meredith Cox, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Cliff Mundy, Liturgist
Carrie Fraser and Ashlan Jackson,Offering Takers

Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.

The East Nashville Training Hub:

In this chapter of Woodland’s life together, our church is engaged in an innovative partnership called the East Nashville Training Hub. The Training Hub, made up of mostly young adults, carry much of the day-to-day responsibilities for the church, including preaching and worship planning, service and fellowship events, and children’s ministry.  We are grateful for the energy, creativity, and engaging wisdom of this team!

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 63:1-4

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
            my flesh faints for you,
            as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
            beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
            my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
            I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

*HYMN 307  God of Grace and God of Glory  CWM RHONDDA

*INVITATION TO CONFESSION

Being kind to ourselves and tenderhearted,
let us join together in this morning’s prayer of confession,
asking God to continue to renew our hearts and minds.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION+

God of infinite goodness,
throughout the ages you have persevered
in claiming and reclaiming your people.
Renew for us your call to repentance,
surround us with witnesses to aid us in our journey,
and grant us the time to fashion our lives anew,
through Christ Jesus, your Beloved,
Anointed One. Amen.

Silent confession.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  Kyrie Eleison

A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.

*ASSURANCE OF GRACE

Christ said: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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 435, verse 1

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement given.

SCRIPTURE READING

SCRIPTURE READING

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                    Kendra Ketter Chavis  

*HYMN 800  Sometimes a Light Surprises  SALLEY GARDENS

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION

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

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY  Hymn 223, verse 4

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

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.
(The prayer continues.)

The prayer concludes by singing the Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus.  A copy of this can be found on the seat of your pew.

*HYMN 649  Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound   AMAZING GRACE

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE

*Please rise in body or in spirit.
+Adapted 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:

Kendra Ketter Chavis, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Tracy Bell, Liturgist
Jenny Cook and Cliff Mundy, Offering Takers

Woodland Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith seeking to share God’s love for all Creation, welcoming everyone to full and equal participation in the church without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, seeking to embody in our lives the love of God embodied in Christ Jesus.

Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad you’re joining us this morning. Take a look at this week’s announcements, and be sure to fill out the visitor card at woodlandnash.org/bulletin.

You’re invited to rise in body or spirit for items in the bulletin marked with an asterisk*, and respond with the congregation for text that is bold. For now, sit back and relax as we begin the service.

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Gathering

Prelude

*Call to Worship

Praise God, sun and moon;
praise God, all shining stars.
Praise God from the earth,
all sea monsters and deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
every stormy wind fulfilling God’s command.
Praise God, all mountains and hills,
all fruit trees and cedars.
For God has raised up a horn for all people,
praise for all who are faithful,
the people of Israel who draw near.
Praise the Holy One!

*Hymn #143

“Angels from the Realms of Glory”

*Prayer of Confession

Loving God,
As we move into a new season,
help us to continually see your light
and feel your presence in our lives and communities,
not forgetting to lean on hope and one another,
so that when we find ourselves struggling to understand
life’s course, the injustices of the world,
and what does not make sense,
we may turn to wonder and to our neighbors,
and seek to be active vessels for your peace and lovingkindness.
Amen.

Silent Confession

*Assurance of Confession

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

*Passing of the Peace

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.

*Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo! 

Encountering

Scripture Readings

Luke 19:42,
Selections from I Kings 11:42-12:19.

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: “How Family Feud”

Mark DeVries served as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee for 28 years and has served alongside the Woodland family for more than a year now.

He is the founder of Ministry Architects and Justice Industries and the co-founder of the Center for Youth Ministry Training and Ministry Incubators.  Mark is the author of 12 books, including recently released Reimagining Young Adult Ministry.  Mark and his wife Susan live in Nashville and have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Responding

Prayers of Supplication and Intercession

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

• 

The Offering

Doxology

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

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.

Silent meditation.

We now 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 #110

Love Has Come

*Dismissal

*Hymn #545

Song of Simeon

Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad you’re joining us this morning. Take a look at this week’s announcements, and be sure to fill out the visitor card at woodlandnash.org/bulletin.

You’re invited to rise in body or spirit for items in the bulletin marked with an asterisk*, and respond with the congregation for text that is bold. For now, sit back and relax as we begin the service.

Gathering

Prelude

Scott Sauers

*Call to Worship

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
Righteousness and peace will embrace.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Holy One will give what is good
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before and will make a path for
God’s steps. Prepare the way for the Holy One!

Candle Lighting

… until they shine forth God’s righteousness.
Come, Christ Jesus, Come!

*Hymn #93

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

*Prayer of Confession

Surprising God,
We confess that our sense of anticipation has been dulled, and we struggle to accept your wonders,
not seeing the marvels around us in the people
and the happenings we view as commonplace.
Move us, O God, and send your light,
that it may shine through us in the needs of the world,
in Christ’s name.
Amen.

Silent confession.

*Hymn #90

Wait for the Lord (3x)

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong; take heart!

*Assurance of Grace

In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy,
new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God.

Thanks be to the God of Advent, who is with us now and always, and who will come again in glory! Amen.

*Passing of the Peace

Since we have hope in the peace of Christ, let us love one another while we wait.

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

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Encountering

Scripture Reading

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

Travis Chavis manages the East Nashville training hub at Woodland, and most recently led discussions on race in the Church at Woodland. Travis is an experienced professional in Human Resources and operational processes, and has worked with some of the most recognizable brands in the world.

*Hymn #97

Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

Responding

Prayers of Supplication & Intercession

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

The Offering and *Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God in Jesus fully known
Creator, Word, and Spirit, one.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.

(The prayer continues.)

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 #87

Comfort, Comfort Now My People

*Dismissal & Postlude

Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad you’re joining us this morning. Take a look at this week’s announcements, and be sure to fill out the visitor card at woodlandnash.org/bulletin.

You’re invited to rise in body or spirit for items in the bulletin marked with an asterisk*, and respond with the congregation for text that is bold. For now, sit back and relax as we begin the service.

• AnnouncementsDecember 22, 2019

Gathering

 Prelude

As we begin to worship, let us take a moment to center ourselves, remembering the waters of our baptism: 

In Baptism, we were joined to Christ and made members of one body. In the community of the people of God, we have learned of God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

*Call to Worship

The days are surely coming, says the Holy One, 
when I will fulfill my promise to my people. 

Justice and righteousness will fill the land,  
and all will live in peace and safety. 

Candle Lighting

… and justice and righteousness shall be executed in the land. 
Come, Christ Jesus, Come!

*Hymn #104

“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?”

*Prayer of Confession

Holy God,
we have long awaited the time
when all Creation is filled with your justice,
lovingkindness, and peace.
But we anticipate your coming,
to put right all that is wrong in our world,
with a complex mix of hope, joy, anxiety, and reluctance –
because we realize that we are often complicit
in many of the wrongs that need to be righted,
and fear that our lives will be changed
in ways we do not want.
Help us face with courage and humility
our struggle to be the people you call us to be,
and empower us by your Spirit to begin anew
the effort to embody more fully in our lives
your love for all Creation –
which we see embodied in Christ Jesus,
your Beloved, Anointed One.
Amen.

Silent Confession

*Hymn 90

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong; take heart!

(repeat all x3)

*Assurance of Grace

In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy, new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God. 

Thanks be to the God of Advent, who is with us now and always, and who will come again in glory! Amen. 

*Passing of the Peace

Since we have hope in the peace of Christ, let us love one another and rejoice. The peace of Christ be with you. 

And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Encountering

Scripture Reading

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

Kendra Ketter Chavis is an ordained minister, speaker and writer. She completed her Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary.

She served as Director of Operations and an Associate Minister at Change Church in Ewing, NJ. Kendra recently concluded pulpit and pastoral care leadership at Memorial West United Presbyterian Church in Newark, NJ.

Responding

*Hymn #352

My Lord! What a Morning!

Offering

Meredith Cox, special music

*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God in Jesus fully known
Creator, Word, and Spirit, one.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Holy Communion

Invitation & 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.

(The prayer continues)

…we worship and adore your glorious name, praising you forevermore: 

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Indeed, we give thanks to you in all things, O God, 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.

The Words of Institution

Sharing of the Bread and Cup

*Hymn #357

The Days Are Surely Coming

Dismissal & Postlude

Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad to see you, and encourage you to fill out a visitor card in the pew or on the previous page. The congregation is invited to stand in body or spirit for each item marked with an asterisk* in the bulletin.

• AnnouncementsDecember 22, 2019

Gathering

Prelude

As we begin to worship today, let us take a moment to center ourselves, remembering the waters of our baptism:

In Baptism we were joined to Christ and made members of one body. In the community of the people of God, we have learned of God’s purpose for us and for all creation.

*Call to Worship

I will praise the Holy One, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Holy One.
With God by my side, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one witness decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures by your side.

*Hymn #11

Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud

*Invitation & Prayer of Confession

My God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen.

Silent confession.

*Response

Kyrie Eleison, “Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.”

*Assurance of Grace

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

*Passing of the Peace

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.

*Response

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since I laid my burden down. (2x)
I’m so happy, O, so happy
Since I laid my burger down. (2x)

Encountering the Word

Scripture Reading

John 18:33-38

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

“An Ode to Truth”

A Nashville native, Jenny Cook spent several years working in the nonprofit sector and has frequently served with local youth ministries. Jenny is a graduate of Furman University (2014) where she studied graphic design.

*Hymn #158

Born in the Night, Mary’s Child

Responding to the Word

Prayers of Supplication and Intercession

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

The Offering

*Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
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

The prayer continues, and concludes with the Lord’s Prayer:

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 #274

You, Lord, are Both Lamb and Shepherd

*Dismissal and Prelude

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