THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of The United Church of Christ THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

Transcription

1 THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of The United Church of Christ THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER Welcome ~ Bienvenidos May 14, :30 AM WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT CENTER CHURCH. We are glad you have joined us for this service of worship and the fellowship of this congregation. We hope that you will be both comforted and challenged by the Word of God for us today. If you are new to our community, we hope you will consider making this your church home. Any of our worship leaders or ushers will be able to help with your questions. If you are already a member, be sure to extend a friendly greeting to those around you, starting with someone you don t know yet. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices before the service of Worship begins. A nursery with capable, nurturing staff is available in the basement of the Meeting House. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP "Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love." ~ George Eliot, 19th century CHIMING OF THE HOUR and GREETING WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

2 COMING BEFORE GOD PRELUDE How Beautiful Joel Raney b Catherine Thompson Maclean, flute The Light of Christ is brought into the sanctuary. PLEASE STAND. CALL TO WORSHIP based on John 14:1-14 Jesus said, I go and prepare a place for you, and I will come again. We gather in this place to know your presence and your love, now and always. Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the light. If you know me, you know God. We pray to know you more deeply, that we may know God more intimately, now and always. Jesus said, Ask me for anything, and I will do it. Help us to ask for the right things, Lord Jesus Christ, that we may fulfill your will, now and always. Jesus said, Believe in me, and follow me. Help us to worship you fully believing and following now and always! PRAISE SONGS O Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name Michael W. Smith b O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. O Lord, we praise your name. O Lord, we magnify your name: Prince of Peace, Mighty God, O Lord God Almighty.

3 He is Exalted Twila Paris b He is exalted, the King is exalted on high; I will praise him. He is exalted, forever exalted, and I will praise his name! He is the Lord; forever his truth shall reign. Heaven and earth rejoice in his holy name. He is exalted, the King is exalted on high. Kum Ba Yah African-American spiritual Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! O Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s crying, Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s crying, Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s crying, Lord, kum ba yah! O Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s singing, Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s singing, Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s singing, Lord, kum ba yah! O Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s praying, Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s praying, Lord, kum ba yah! Someone s praying, Lord, kum ba yah! O Lord, kum ba yah! PLEASE BE SEATED. UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE LORD S PRAYER O God, we trust in your power, even as it is often found in weakness; in your wisdom, even as it is expressed in apparent foolishness; in your wholeness, even as it comes to us amid brokenness. Touch us this day, O God, that we might become your people, your body, your children, your church. This, we ask, as we pray with Jesus words 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, for ever. Amen. (* = traditional wording but you may use alternative wording, such as God, Creator, or Mother, as seems fitting.) CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION

4 PLEASE REMAIN SEATED. CALL TO CONFESSION Our faith calls us to break down walls and to live our lives courageously, so that others might know who we are by our love. For the times when we have been less than faithful disciples, we offer now our prayer: PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, we confess that we would like the road map of our life laid out before us. We want to know where we are going. Any unexpected twists and turns disconcert us. When we hear you calling us to a task we do not want to do or a road we do not want to take, we argue and construct reasons why we cannot. Forgive our resistance that is most often grounded in fear and unbelief. Forgive our lack of trust in you, and the refusal to hear and believe your assurance of the journey. Forgive us all that is past, and free us to a new and living faith in you, through Christ, our risen Lord. SILENCE FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION WORDS OF ASSURANCE All: Our God is a God of love and mercy, who allows us always to begin again. By God's grace, we are forgiven to walk in newness of life. Thanks be to God. Amen. PLEASE STAND. Response (sung by all) Glory Be to God text: Gloria patri, 3 rd century, transl. music: Peter DuBois, 2007 THE PASSING OF THE PEACE The love of God, the Peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. And also with you. Since in Christ we have been reconciled, let us share his peace with one another.

5 PROCLAIMING GOD S LIVING WORD PLEASE BE SEATED. CHILDREN S MESSAGE Jana Russo-Priestley (The children exit the Meeting House to attend church school.) CHORAL ANTHEM No. 28 For the Beauty of the Earth John Rutter b RECOGNITION OF CHORAL SCHOLARS GOSPEL READING John 14:1-4 NRSV: New Testament, p. 984 SERMON Jesus Farewell Discourse The Rev. Dr. Damaris D. Whittaker PLEASE STAND. HYMN To God Be the Glory RESPONDING IN FAITH TO GOD BE THE GLORY PLEASE BE SEATED. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE OFFERING OF GIFTS AND TITHES (We encourage you to use offering envelopes when giving.) Offertory Music No. 547 Amazing Grace John Coates, Jr. b PLEASE STAND AS THE OFFERING IS BROUGHT FORWARD. Hymn of Presentation OLD HUNDREDTH text: Thomas Ken, 1674; alt. music: Louis Bourgeois, 1551

6 UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION God, bless these tithes and offerings, that they may heal and make whole the lives of all your children. Amen. GOING FORTH PLEASE REMAIN STANDING. HYMN Spirit Song John Wimber O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love. Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul. O let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit like a dove will descend upon your life and make you whole. Refrain: Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy. Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name. O give him all your tears and sadness; give him all your years of pain, and you ll enter into life in Jesus name. BENEDICTION Please enjoy the postlude or exit quietly. The Light of Christ is taken out into the world. Go in peace. POSTLUDE He is Exalted/Great is the Lord Joel Raney b. 1956