May 10, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The Fifth Sunday of Easter – Mother’s Day
(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 Pastorale on a XII Century Melody Edmundson
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP based on Psalm 22 Rev. Robert J. Brink
Minister: All dominion belongs to the Lord
People: Who rules over the nations.
Minister: Let us praise the Lord in the great congregation,
People: And proclaim God’s deliverance to the ages.
ALL: Love rules over all! Alleluia! Amen!
*HYMN 48 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
*THE PRAYER INVOCATION and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Creator, God, you know us all—even before we were born. You lead us into life. You make your home with us. Send your Spirit, O God of loving, caring, and giving. Fill this worship space with your Spirit. Bless our homes as we celebrate our home in you and celebrate those who have given us life. Fill our hearts and homes with your joy, your song, your love. In the name of Mary’s son, Jesus, our brother, who taught us to pray:
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 EPISTLE LESSON 1 John 4:7-21 Bible, page 1112 Children’s Bible, page 1752
A MUSICAL OFFERING
A Place in the Choir Traditional
Combined Junior & Cherub Choirs
My Lord Sleeth
Junior Choir
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE PSALMODY (Responsive) Psalm 22:25-31 Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.
Bible, page 491
Children’s Bible, page 759
A MUSICAL OFFERING
Venite, Exultemus Domino Sweelilnck
Be Thou My Vision arr. Miller
The Choir of First Congregational Church, directed by Lee Jacobi
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 15:1-8 Bible, page 983 Children’s Bible, page 1538
THE REFLECTION “Mother Love” Dr. Peay
A MUSICAL OFFERING
Sing Praises to God with David Miles, Trumpet Biery
Two Spirituals – He’s the Lily of the Valley & Seekin’ for a City Parker
THE PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS OF FAMILIES
Minister: God of all birthing, God of all living, God of all dying, grant these blessings and hear our prayers. We pray for our families—in all their complex and wondrous forms— for families of our origin and for those of our choosing.
Minister: We give thanks for those who have given us birth, for those who have nurtured us, and for those whose lives were invested in our care. Your love for us has been steadfast and sure, known in those who have cultivated our abilities, enriched our minds, strengthened our bodies, and challenged our spirits.
People: We celebrate the ever-present possibilities for your church to be a family of blessing for your beloved people. We pray that as church, we might always be attentive to the ways in which we can be a community that is ever more inclusive, ever more nurturing, ever more stimulating, ever more relevant, and ever more healing for all your people. As Christians and members of Christian homes, we recommit ourselves and our homes to your gospel call. We will serve those in need as if they were our very own sisters and brothers, sons and daughters. Now, God, we seek your blessings.
Minister: Creator God, we lift ourselves to you.
People: Gather us as one.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our families, and especially our mothers, to you.
People: Loving God, bless them.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our homes to you.
People: Loving God, bless our homes.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our neighborhoods to you.
People: Loving God, bless our neighborhoods.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our world to you.
People: Loving God, bless our world. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
THE OFFERTORY
Minister: “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.”1 John 4:11
THE ANTHEM Blessed Assurance arr. Raney
The Choir of First Congregational Church and the Junior Choir
*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 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
*HYMN 259 For the Beauty of the Earth (verses 1, 4, 5)
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE RESPONSE Go Now in Peace
Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true. Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe. Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, watching from above. Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
*THE POSTLUDE Themes and Variations on Beecher
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
Today’s Chancel flowers are given by the York family in memory of Janet Grede Jacobs
and with appreciation for the music that inspires all of us.
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 17 10:00 A.M.
We celebrate CHILDREN’S SUNDAY!
Thomas Gregory is the organist.