ELECTRONIC GIVING OPTIONS:

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1 Welcome to all first-time (and returning) guests to Faith UCC! We would like to get to know you and for you to get to know us. Join us after worship for coffee and conversation. There is free parking on Sundays at the meters and at the McAllister & Pugh Street parking garages so, we hope you ll worship with us again next Sunday! ELECTRONIC GIVING OPTIONS: During the offering time in the service, you may place your offerings on the plates the ushers will bring around. Or, if you prefer to give electronically, simply scan the QR code with your smartphone to be directed to our online donation page MAY SPECIAL OFFERING: Hartman Center is the Outdoor Ministries facility owned by Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ since Programming includes retreats, conferences, workshops, dinner meetings, summer camps, and other events. Hartman Center is located about 20 miles southeast of State College on old Rte. 322 in Milroy PA.. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and financial donation. May 1 Sixth Sunday of Easter TODAY! Holy Communion May 8 Seventh Sunday of Easter Happy Mother s Day! May 15 PENTECOST Confirmands received as new members (Remember to wear something red!) May 22 Trinity Sunday Hymn Sing

2 Faith United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation 300 E. College Ave. State College, PA Phone: Website: Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/scfaithucc Office: Pastor s faithuccpastor@comcast.net Church office hours: 10:00am 1:00pm (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! We welcome you to our church and invite you to sign the registration pads at the ends of the pews on the center aisle. Also, please join us after worship for fellowship and refreshments. May 1, 2016 Sixth Sunday of Easter Holy Communion WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE Praeludium und Fuge Johann S. Bach CALL TO CONFESSION + In a spirit of humility and trust in God, let us join together in a prayer. PRAYER OF CONFESSION + Compassionate God, source of divine light, we approach you in prayer, confessing that at times we stumble blindly in the darkness. We can t see you, and forget that our eyes are cast downward. Sometimes our eyes are even closed to your goodness and your guidance. Open our eyes, that we may see the right path to take and the faithful choice to make. Lift up our eyes, O Lord, that we might see ourselves as you see us, bathed in your grace. Have mercy upon us, in the name of Jesus. And hear us now, in this silence, as we share with you our private confession (Silent prayers of personal confession 10 seconds) ASSURANCE OF GRACE + Leader: God does not see us as we see ourselves, or as others see us. We are seen with divine mercy and grace. Hear the good news of the gospel: People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! * CALL TO WORSHIP + (based on Psalm 67) Leader: Let all the people praise you, O God! Let all the people praise you! People: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! Leader: For you are just and you deal fairly with all. People: God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us always. Leader: Let us worship the Lord together! *SHARING CHRIST S PEACE As a sign of our reconciliation with God and one another, greet and welcome those around you and share the peace of Christ. CHORAL ANTHEM Pie Jesu Andrew Lloyd Webber Chancel Choir * OPENING HYMN Shall We Gather at the River #597 (Congregation may be seated) PRAYER OF INVOCATION + O Lord, we praise you. Our voices join with those around the world to praise your name and give you glory. Bless us, O Lord. Make your face shine upon us, in this sacred place and set aside time. Send your Holy Spirit to lift our hearts, as we worship you in gladness. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. CHILDREN S MESSAGE After this, children are welcome to remain in the sanctuary and participate in the Sacrament of Communion (at the discretion of their parents). The nursery is available for parents with infants and toddlers under 4 years old, and is located through the door at the right front of the sanctuary and up the stairs. Children are always welcome to remain in the worship service. Nursery and Church school resumes next Sunday, for all ages.

3 READING OF SCRIPTURE Acts 16: 9-15 John 5:1-9 Leader: This is the Gospel of our Risen Lord People: Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ SERMON On the Road Again Rev. Ann Graves PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (and the Lord s Prayer) Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer. After each expression, the people may respond: Lord, hear our prayer OFFERING Offertory Offertorium Reflection James Pethel *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication + Receive these gifts, O God, and bless them to do your work in this world. May your kingdom come, may your holy will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Christ, Amen. SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION * COMMUNION HYMN Draw Us in the Spirit s Tether #337 INVITATION Leader: Jesus said: I am the Bread of Life. You who come to me shall not hunger; you who believe in me shall never thirst. People: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of this life-giving bread. COMMUNION PRAYER Leader: God be with you People: And also with you Leader: Lift up your hearts: People: We lift them up to God. Leader: Let us thank God: People: It is good to give God our thanks and praise. Leader: In the silence, let us each acknowledge our hunger for God and our desire for the nourishment that only God can bring. (Time for Silent Meditation 10 seconds) Leader: We praise you for Christ s birth, life, death and resurrection, and for the calling forth of your church for its mission in the world. Gifted by the presence of your Holy Spirit, we offer ourselves to you as we unite our voices with the entire family of your faithful people everywhere: All: (singing) (#793) Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, God. Leader: Beloved in Christ, We remember Christ s promise not to drink of the fruit of the vine again until the heavenly banquet at the close of history, and we say boldly what we believe: People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Leader: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and sharing at this table that our eyes may be opened, and we may recognize the risen Christ in our midst, in each other, and in all for whom Christ died. 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

4 SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP (We will receive Communion by intinction. Please come forward down the center aisle, take a piece of bread from the loaf, dip it into the cup and partake) Leader: The gifts of God, for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We give you thanks, O God, that you have come to us through Jesus Christ, both in the midst of time and history, and in the timeless presence of Christ s Spirit, as we receive the gifts of bread and wine. Send us out into the world rejoicing, ready to share your love with the people we meet; through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN Be Now My Vision #451 *BENEDICTION + Leader: As you go from this place, know that Jesus sets us free from whatever gets in the way of our relationship with God. Jesus offers us healing and hope, not just on Sunday, but every day. People: Jesus reorients us to a life filled not with rigid rules and expectations, but to a life of freedom to live out our faith in the way he has taught us. Leader: May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen. POSTLUDE An Excerpt on Pisgah Dale Wood + + Liturgy provided by 2016 Scripture Echo. Used with permission. Musical resources printed in our worship bulletins are used with permission under OneLicense.net No.A News from INTERFAITH INITIATIVE CENTRE COUNTY (IICC) SPRING INTERFAITH PICNIC Come meet your friends and neighbors of other faiths! TODAY 1:00 3:00 pm, Pavilion 1 (center right), Sunset Park, State College. Delicious halal food from Pita Cabana will be available. Soft drinks, ecofriendly (recycled or biodegradable) plates, cups, utensils also provided. Students Eat Free No need to bring anything. Faith UCC is an open and affirming church, embracing diversity in our congregation and community, and affirming the dignity and worth of every person. We are an inclusive community of faith that celebrates God s presence through worship and the sharing of God s word. We welcome all persons into the full life and ministry of the church, regardless of race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, capability, or circumstance of life. Our Ministry Ministers All the Congregation Pastor Rev. Monica Dawkins-Smith Ushers Larry Bair, Jim Welsh, Wayne and Edna Bicehouse Trustee Tom Daubert Liturgist Cyndi Vincenti Fellowship Dan & Eileen Pfaff Acolyte Jordan Reed Children s Message Alva Chellman Nursery Parent s Care (Communion Sunday) Communion Servers Martha Thompson, Rev. Ernie Hawk, JoAnn Edwards Church Staff Custodian Scott Luzier Church School Coordinator Barbara Chellman Choir Director Colin Ruffer Organist/Associate Choir Director Asa W. Carns Guest Preacher Rev. Ann Graves TODAY THIS WEEK AT FAITH CHURCH 9:30 AM Adult forum 10:45AM Worship Service (with Holy Communion) followed by fellowship time (RH) THURSDAY 7:00PM Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) SUNDAY (5/8) 9:30 AM Adult forum 10:45AM Worship Service followed by fellowship time (RH) THURSDAY 7:00PM Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) AB = Antoinette Brown; AH = Asendorf Hall; ML = Meyer Library; RH = Romig Hall; S = Sanctuary Prayers for healing and wholeness: Cecil Irvin, Linda Merchant, Susan Meyer, Lisa B., (JoAnn s daughter), Ron Neidigh, Timothy Tressler (Ruth s son), Brandon G., Randy Brown (Aimee s father), Lisa Neidigh, Anna Mary, Josh Williams, Jane Sheckells, Bunnie Hartswick, Peggy, Susan White, Ken Heasley, John Switalski, Allison, Karen L., Stroman family, Katelynn Wilson, family and friends of Hazel Tuller (grieving), Jim Robinson, David Phillips, victims of earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador. Pastor Monica s office hours: 10:00am 2:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and by appointment. In case of a pastoral related emergency, you may contact her directly: (home) or (mobile). *** In case of Pastoral emergency (April 26-May 2), please contact: Rev. Ann Graves ***

5 STUDY Faith UCC during Finals week! STUDY SPACE When: May 1, 2, and 3 Where: Romig Hall (entrance off Calder Way) Time: 1:00pm 10:00pm STUDY Faith UCC during Finals week! STUDY SPACE When: May 1, 2, and 3 Where: Romig Hall (entrance off Calder Way) Time: 1:00pm 10:00pm FREE! wi-fi, cookies, coffee. FREE! wi-fi, cookies, coffee. *** ATTENTION STUDENTS*** Care Bags will be available on April 24 and May 1 (following the worship service) *** ATTENTION STUDENTS*** Care Bags will be available on April 24 and May 1 (following the worship service)