SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

5th Sunday of Easter: April 24, 2005, 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

CARILLON, WELCOME, REGISTRATION, ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

PRELUDE                                    Bright and Beautiful                                       arr. M. Hayes

                                                         A Children’s Suite

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                Psalm 31:3-5 (NRSV) 

            Leader:  You are indeed my rock and my fortress, Lord.

            People:  For your name’s sake lead and guide me.

            Leader:  Take me out of the net that is hidden for me.

            People:  For you are my refuge.

                Leader:  Into your hand I commit my spirit;

            People:  You have saved me, O Lord, faithful God.

 

*LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 466                                      O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

 

LESSON FROM HISTORY                                                         Acts 7:55-60 (NRSV)

 

CONFESSION & ASSURANCE                              Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Life

            People Respond (as each stone is laid down):  Forgive us, God.

 

            Leader:  I lay this stone down for the many people hurt by prejudice

                          in our community and our world.  May God forgive

                          fear of others, and help build trust between us.  (R)

            Leader:  I lay this stone down for the many people hurt by misuse of religion

                          In our communities and our world.  May God forgive

                          Arrogance, and help explore new understandings between us.  (R)

            Leader:  I lay this stone down for the many people hurt by abuse of power

                          in our communities and our world.  May God forgive

                          greed, and help remold our world.  (R)

            Leader:  I lay this stone down for the many people hurt by the words we use

                                  in our communities and our world.  May God forgive

                                  intolerance, and help find new words of love to speak.  (R)    

            Leader:  I lay this stone down for the many people hurt

  by politics that divide rich from poor in our communities and our world.

  May God forgive domination and help create interdependency

  between us all.  (R)

                (a time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

            Leader:  In the laying down, there is space for forgiveness.

                          In the giving over, we are forgiven.

                          In our confessing, God speaks: 

  “Go and sin no more, I do not hold this sin against you.”

            People:  Thanks be to God.

 

*THE PEACE

Leader:  The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

            People:  Peace be with you.

                 (worshipers share words and gestures of God’s peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                          John 14: 1-14 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                      Ain’t Dat Good News!                               arr. N. Johnson

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN          

 

LESSON FROM THE LETTER                                                       I Peter 2: 2-10 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                                                                                    “Rocks”

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            Offertory                                 Be Still, My Soul                          J. Sibelius/R. Bonam

            *Response # 592                                   Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow

            *Prayer of Dedication

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)                                                         Page 16 in Hymnal

 

 

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 379                                                                      My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

 

*CHARGE AND BLESSING

 

POSTLUDE                      Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven                         arr. L. Smith

 

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Script. Readings: Acts 17: 22-31; Ps. 66: 8-20; 1 Peter 3: 13-22; John 14: 15-21