MAY 5, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 A.M.
Ascension Sunday
(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love to
greet you following the service or at coffee hour in the Social Hall.)
THE CHURCH GATHERS
THE PRELUDE Antiphon Young
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Robert J. Brink
Liturgist: Let us know the hope to which Christ has called us.
People: Let us share the greatness of God’s love for us.
Liturgist: For we are the Church, the body of Christ, the Lord’s Freely Gathered People.
People: We are God’s Children, the fullness of the One who fills all in all!
*HYMN 58 Crown Him with Many Crowns
*THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Rev. Samuel R. Schaal
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; bring all creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, and who taught us to pray saying:
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.
*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
THE ANTHEM The World Needs a Rainbow Martin
Cherub Choir, directed by Michelle Russ
THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD AND CELEBRATES CONFIRMATION
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Acts 1:1-11 Bible, page 991
THE CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION
The Covenant Class of 2008
Aaron Blazich Christopher Fink Evan Carollo Grace Houriet David Eggert
Presentation of the Confirmands Rev. Brink and Dr. Peay
Confession of the Christian Faith Rev. Schaal and Rev. Brink
Ownership of the Covenant
The Address of Welcome
Prayer for the Confirmands
The Right Hand of Fellowship Mrs. Julie Anheuser, Moderator
Mr. James Benz, Moderator-Elect
Mrs. Connie Haas, Chair of the Deacons
INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
*HYMN 393 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
THE PSALMODY (unison) Psalm 47 Hymnal, no. 628
THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:44-53 Bible, page 965
THE REFLECTION “UP and OUT” Dr. Peay and Rev. Brink
THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy Martin
*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
INVITATION OF CHRIST
THE COMMUNION COLLECT
THE GENERAL CONFESSION (by minister and people)
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and have done those things which we ought not to have done. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults to you. Restore those who are penitent; according to your promises declared unto us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS (by the minister)
THE INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
THE PREFACE AND ‘HOLY HOLY’
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord our God.
Minister: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
People: It is right and proper to give God thanks and praise.
[The Minister continues the prayer after “evermore praising you and saying:” we all say:]
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts; Heaven and earth are full of your glory; Glory be to you, O Lord, most high. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION OR EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Giving of the Bread
Giving of the Cup
*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (unison)
We give thanks to you, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this memorial of your love, and have granted to us the presence of your Son, even Jesus Christ our Lord; and we ask you to strengthen our faith in you and to increase our love toward one another; through him who is our redeemer. Amen.
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND TO SERVE
*HYMN 253 We Limit Not the Truth of God
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Theme and Variations on Ellacombe
The Communion Service is from the 1948 Congregational Worship Book for Free Churches.
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.