Service for the Lord’s Day, 5th Sunday of Easter

                                                      May 2, 2010 - 10:30 a.m.

 

                                                   GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

IN SILENCE                                                            David M. Bailey, cancer survivor & songwriter

 

These are dogwood days/ Made in heaven for delivery on earth/ These are dogwood days/

Just in time for our rebirth.

 

THE WORD BECKONS                                                                          from Acts 11: 9 & 18

 

            God who has made us clean, help us to accept your word today;

                        Give even us the repentance that leads to life.

 

PRELUDE                                        The Good Shepherd                                  arr. M. Helman

                                                           O Worship the King                                    arr. L. Larson

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, REGISTRATION

 

CHIMES & CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP                  I Will Arise                A. Lovelace

             LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                   from Revelation 21

 

 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…

And the One seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."

     I saw the home of God among mortals.

          He will dwell with them as their God…

And the One seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."

     He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more;

          mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

               for the first things have passed away…

And the One seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new.”

     To the thirsty I will give water as a gift

          from the spring of the water of life…

Praise the Lord, who is making all things new!

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 466                                   O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE

            Let us confess our predicament in the ancient words of the Jesus prayer:

                 Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

                      have mercy on me, a sinner.

                                             (time for silent, personal confession)

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE                        from 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

            Friends, know that the God of mercy has forgiven us and cleansed us from our sins,

            for if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:

                 In Christ everything old has passed away;

                      see everything has become new! Hallelujah.

 

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

                 The peace of the Lord be with you.

                      (worshipers exchange words and gestures of the peace of Christ)

 

ANTHEM                            Make Me a Channel of Your Peace                             S. Temple

 

                                                   PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL                                                          John 13: 31-35 (NRSV)

                                                                                                                           Pew Bible p.102

 

WORD WITH THE YOUNG

 

LESSON FROM HISTORY                                                                    Acts 11: 1-18 (NRSV)

                                                                                                                           Pew Bible p.122

 

SERMON                                                                                       “Those Bloomin’ Christians”

 

                                                 RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

     OFFERTORY                        Remember Your Lord God                                     R. Powell

     *RESPONSE # 592                                       Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

     *PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

PRAYERS THANKING AND ASKING GOD, THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

                                                        GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 420                                                                          God of Grace and God of Glory

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

*CHORAL RESPONSE                    Go Now in Peace                                              N. Sleeth

 

POSTLUDE                         O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing                       arr. J. Denton

                                  (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                            WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Rev. Michael Ludwig

Word with Children

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Musical Leadership

Canterbury Ringers

Westminster Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organist/Pianist

Greeters

Dick & Carolyn Dietrich, John Deeth, Dave & Lora Dobos

Head Usher

Sam Shuman