SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

6th Sunday of Easter:  May 21, 2006, 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

The Prelude begins worship—a time to prepare to meet with other believers, and with God.

 

PRELUDE                                                 The Swan                                            C. Saint-Saens

                                            Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G Major                                J. S. Bach                                              

                                                                

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, REGISTRATION

                       

CHORAL INTROIT                    Jesus Calls Us (Stanza 1)                                          W. Jude                                                                                                                                                     

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                  from Chalice Worship

 

As a shepherd seeks a lost sheep,

   so God seeks and saves the lost.

Like a woman who searches for a lost coin until it is found,

   so God rejoices over one person restored to wholeness.

As a father receives a returning wayward child,

   so God welcomes us, and lets the past be the past.

Therefore, let us praise God in thanksgiving that we are received.

   Let us receive and welcome and rejoice over one another

           in the name of Jesus Christ.                          

           

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 426                                 Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE

 

            Lord, you are at work in the world:

   in city and rural village, along national borders and in legislatures,

   in courtrooms and international politics,

   in corporations and churches.

We confess that we rejoice and are also wary.

We try to confine you to our reading of Scripture, our statement of faith.

Forgive our wanting you to be ours, instead of wanting to be yours.

Come back to us in Jesus Christ when we distance ourselves from you.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE                                                        on Jonah 4: 2 (NRSV)

Jonah says, “I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger,

and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.”

          We too know the God of mercy and love in Jesus Christ.

 

*THE PEACE

            The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

               Peace be with you.

(worshipers exchange words and gestures of peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

ANTHEM                                   More Love to Thee, O Christ                   W. Doane/G. Martin                                            

 

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                         Jonah 3:10  --  4:11 (NRSV)                                       

SERMON                                                                                “’Is it right for you to be angry?’”       

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                                        Declaration of Faith, former PCUS

God sends the church into the world.

God has not taken his people out of the world, but has sent them into the world

   to worship God there and serve all humankind.

We worship God in the world by standing before the Lord in behalf of all people.

Our cries for help and our songs of praise are never for ourselves alone.

Worship is no retreat from the world; it is part of our mission.

 

We serve humankind by discerning what God is doing in the world

   and joining God in that work.

We risk disagreement and error

   when we try to say what God is doing here and now.

But we find guidance in God’s deeds in the past

   and in God’s promises for the future, as they are witnessed to in Scripture.

We affirm that the Lord is at work, especially in events and movements

   that free people by the gospel and advance justice, compassion and peace.

 

AN OFFERING OF OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

Call to Respond

OFFERTORY                              Glory to His Name                                M. McDonald                                    

Response # 592                                           Praise God, from Whom all Blessings Flow

Prayer of Dedication

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION, THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 172                                                                      My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

 

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION                   

 

CHORAL RESPONSE                      Jesus Calls Us (Stanza 5)                                    W. Jude

 

POSTLUDE                                                  Italian Hymn                                           A. Travis               

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Scriptures: Acts 1: 15-17; Ps. 1; 1 John 5: 9-13; John 17: 6-19

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

 

Liturgist 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Word with Children

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Chancel Choir

Celebration Singers

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist