A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

Third Sunday of Easter

26 April 2020 10:00 a.m.

WELCOME

VOLUNTARY Ciacona in e minor Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707

TOLLING OF THE STEEPLE BELL

CALL TO WORSHIP

ONE: We see light, hope and joy:

ALL: We bring heart, soul, mind and body;

ONE: We share blessings and fears:

ALL: We bring faith and doubt.

ONE: With all that we are and all that we have. Let us worship God.

HYMN #39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

OPENING ACCLAMATION One: Alleluia! Christ is Risen! All: The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

One: Merciful and Loving God, we ask forgiveness

because our consciousness of you

is dimmed by everyday desires and needs.

ALL: Raise our consciousness of you, O God.

ONE: We forget that we are a reflection of your image.

We act as though you are a Sunday-only event.

ALL: Increase our mindfulness of you, O God.

ONE: Help us to a greater common awareness

of your deep mystery and infinite presence.

ALL: Rouse our awareness of you, God.

ONE: Open our eyes from surface focus to depth perception.

Turn our heads from shallow concerns to eternal truths.

ALL: Awaken us from faint-heartedness, O God.

ONE: Forgive us for our narrow and selfish ways.

Save us from cheap grace with your amazing grace.

ALL: Forgive us, O God. We ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

ONE: Holy, Forgiving God, we are your sheep.

You keep us awake and aware.

ALL: We bless you and praise you for forgiving us

even when we are barely mindful enough to ask.

ONE: For all you many blessings we give you thanks. Amen.

CELTIC ALLELUIA

CHILDREN’S TIME

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

ACTS LESSON - Acts 2:42-47

Response after the reading

ONE: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE LESSON – 1 Peter 2:19-25

Response after the reading

ONE: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

ANTHEM AMAZING GRACE

Emily & Scott DeMouth

GOSPEL READING - John 10:1-10

Response after reading:

ONE: The Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

SERMON “The Good Life” The Rev. Linda E. Owens

MOMENT FOR MEDITATION

PASSING OF THE PEACE

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

People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us greet one another in the name of Christ.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, JOYS, AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father 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 debts,

as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

PRESENTATION OF OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY ANTHEM Simple Gifts

Maria Hladczuk

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

HYMN #542 God Be With You Until We Meet Again

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE HOLY GROUND

“Holy Ground”

VOLUNTARY Fugue, from Prelude & Fugue on ALAIN Maurice Duruflé

(1902-1986)

LEADING IN WORSHIP

Ministers: All of the congregation

Readers: Jill & Emily DeMouth

Director of Christian Education: Courtney Rzeplinski

Transitional Director of Music: Tim Smith

Soloist: Maria Hladczuk & Emily DeMouth

Guitarist: Scott DeMouth

Pastor, Head of Staff: The Rev. Linda E. Owens

*Liturgy adapted from Beth Merrill Neel and WorshipWays.com