May 3, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
(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 fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)
THE PRELUDE The Blessing McKlveen
Jubilation Ringers
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CHURCH GATHERS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Robert J. Brink
Minister: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
People: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”
Minister: Jesus also said, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them in also.
People: So there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
*HYMN 22 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Gracious God, we know love because you made it eternally visible in the person of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. He revealed the depth of that love by laying down his life for us. We pray that our gratitude may be visible through our care for others and for this world in which we live. Jesus showed us that love was not confined to words alone, nor was it ever an abstract quality, but was at all times a heart-centered activity. Stir such a love in our hearts we pray, so that all we do may be pleasing to you and be the very best evidence of our identity as people with the risen Christ living within us – giving us life. This we pray in Jesus’ name, who taught us to say:
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.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Acts 4:5-12 Bible, page 994 Children’s Bible, page 1555
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE PSALMODY Psalm 23 Hymnal, no. 55
THE EPISTLE LESSON (unison) 1 John 3:16-24
16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 10:11-18 Bible, page 978 Children’s Bible, page 1529
THE COMMUNION REFLECTION “Of Sheep, Shepherds and Suburbia” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM My Heart Rejoices Hakes
THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
Minister: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
THE ANTHEM Christ Is Our Cornerstone Voorhaar
*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.
THE INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION and ASSURANCE OF PARDON
ALL: Loving God, you call us to lay down our lives for each other, and we resist even laying down our egos. We resist laying down our shopping bags, our hd-tvs, our video games and our cell phones. We resist laying aside a tenth of what you have given us for the good of others. Let our own hearts condemn us until we turn to you in repentance. Then forgive us into obedience. In the Shepherd’s Name. Amen.
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Minister Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Minister Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
[The Minister continues the Prayer, after we hear “to proclaim the glory of your Name” we all say:]
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
[The Minister then continues the Great Thanksgiving.]
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Minister: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, alleluia!
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, alleluia!
THE COMMUNION
[Please hold the bread so that we may receive together, a sign of our oneness in the Lord. Take the cup as it comes to you as a sign of your relationship to Him.]
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (unison)
Gracious God, we have been reminded of Jesus' sacrificial love for us as we have shared this meal together, and through the power of the Holy Spirit we have received his life in us. May we make our thanks visible by serving you and one another. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND TO SERVE
*HYMN 208 Christ Is Risen
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
Minister: Go, empowered by the goodness and mercy of God, the compassion and love of Jesus Christ, and the energy and enthusiasm of the Holy Spirit.
People: We go forth to love and serve in the Shepherd’s Name! AMEN!
*THE POSTLUDE Improvisation on Ode to Joy
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Kim Williams in honor of the Jubilation Ringers
as a thank you to all past and present ringers for their hard work and support over the years.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, May 10 10:00 A.M.
We celebrate “Mothers’ Day” with a special Choral Service!
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Roxanne Trump-Miles directs the Junior & Cherub Choirs.