The Fourth Sunday of Easter

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Domenic Ryan
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2 The Fourth Sunday of Easter April 25, :30 a.m. *Let those who are able, stand at this sign. THE PRELUDE THE WORDS OF WELCOME The Greetings Among the People of God The Concerns of the Church THE INTROIT Morning Has Broken WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word! Sweet the rain s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where his feet pass. Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God s re-creation of the new day! THE CALL TO WORSHIP Spirit of Life, Come and feed us with your love and grace. Spirit of Consolation, Come and embrace us with your presence and your vision. Spirit of Hope, Come and fill us with a new word, a word that may free us to serve. Spirit of Openness, Come and join us to one another, without fears, indifference, or exclusions. Spirit of Acceptance, Come and hold us in the new Earth that you are creating. Spirit of the Universe, Come and move us to the sound of your groaning. Spirit of Life, Come and lift us into God s presence through our worship and celebration. arr. J. Rutter *THE HYMN... no. 455 Creatures of Our God and King Verse 1 - Verse 4 - Men Verse 2 - Verse 5 - Choir Verse 3 - Women Verse 6 - Lasst Uns Erfreuen 2

3 *THE OPENING PRAYER *THE RESPONSE Halle, Halle, Hallelujah arr. M. Haugen 1990 The Iona Community/GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted under License.net #A THE PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING WE HEAR GOD S WORD THE FIRST LESSON Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. You make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside still waters. You revive my soul and guide me along right pathways for your name s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE ANTHEM The King of Love My Shepherd Is The text may be found at the First Lesson above. arr. J. Rutter THE CHILDREN S MOMENT Following the Children s Moment, those in Kindergarten and First Grade are dismissed to Journeys in Worship. They will return to the Sanctuary during the final hymn. 3

4 THE SECOND LESSON Colossians 1:15-20 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! THE RESPONSE eluia Victory THE SERMON Creation, Christ, and The Christian s Responsibility A TIME OF INTENTIONAL SILENCE *THE HYMN Earth Is Gift of God s Creation WE GIVE THANKS FOR GOD S GOODNESS Earth is gift of God s creation, ours to nurture or neglect. We are called to witness boldly that all life deserves respect. How can we see rich and homeless and not recognize our sin, Or see creatures held as captives, and not mourn what could have been? We are kin to every being, sharing space on earth, our home; Yet we squander vast resources, seek to save ourselves alone. Can we lose our tunnel vision, see those who are cast aside, Sense the hurt of broken pledges, hear the planet s silent cries? When our lifestyle lessens others we become a measure less. When we share the gifts we re given we confirm what we profess. As we seek to keep life holy we affirm our sacred self, Grieve each loss of fish or flower which decreases nature s wealth. Tending space within earth s garden, honoring the future there, We can join with God as partners, a community of care. Strengthened by the rainbow s promise, sign of God s enduring grace, Let us dare to live our calling in our time and in our place! Austrian Hymn 2002 Edith Sinclair Downing Used with permission. 4

5 *THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison) This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen. See 1 Cor. 15:1-6; Mark 16:9 (16:1-9); Matt. 16:16; Rev. 22:13; John 20:28 THE MORNING OFFERING The Words of Invitation The Offertory Amazing Grace Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace shall lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace. When we ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We ve no less days to sing God s praise than when we d first begun. *The Presentation of Our Offerings... no. 592 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *The Prayer of Dedication arr. J. Rutter Old Hundredth 5

6 THE MORNING PRAYERS The Choral Call to Prayer Be Thou My Vision Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, be all else but naught to me, save that thou art; Be thou my best thought in the day and the night, both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word, be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord; Be thou my great Father, and I thy true son; be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight; be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might; Be thou my soul s shelter, be thou my strong tower: O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power. Riches I heed not, nor man s empty praise; be thou mine inheritance now and always; Be thou and thou only the first in my heart: O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art. High King of heaven, thou heaven s bright Sun, O grant me its joys after victory is won; Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all. The Spoken Prayers To bring new life to the land To restore the waters To refresh the air To renew the forests To care for the plants To protect the creatures To celebrate the seas To rejoice the sunlight To sing the song of the stars To recall our destiny To renew our spirits To reinvigorate our bodies To create the human community To promote justice and peace To remember our children We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of all life. the prayers continue The Silent Prayers The Lord s Prayer (in unison) 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. 6 arr. J. Rutter

7 THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be always with you. And also with you. WE LEAVE TO SHARE GOD S GOODNESS *THE HYMN... no. 268 God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens Holy Manna *THE CHARGE AND BLESSING *THE CHORAL RESPONSE Choral Amen J. Schwandt *THE POSTLUDE Leading worship this morning: Pastor Kevin Scott Fleming Liturgist Wayne Rinks Director of Music Robert Nicholls The Choir of First Presbyterian Church Harp Erzsébet Gaál Sound Technician Jeff Haywood 7

The Resurrection of the Lord

The Resurrection of the Lord April 24, 2011 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. *Let those who are able, stand at this sign. WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD THE PRELUDE Humbly We Adore Thee G. Near THE PEAL OF BELLS THE EASTER