You can watch today’s service here.
If you are watching our live stream this morning, you are invited to find a candle, so that we can all light candles at the same time.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Bruce Prewer, based on Psalm 1, John 17)
It is a wonderful thing when members of the family
live together in love and peace.
They shall be like trees planted beside flowing rivers.
May the church be one, just as Christ and God are one,
that Christ may be glorified in us.
They shall yield good fruit in its season,
and their leaf shall never wither.
The grace, mercy and peace, of the Lord Jesus,
be with you all.
And also with you.
CALL TO THANKSGIVING (PSALM 1)
Happy are those who delight in the Lord; they are like trees planted by streams of water that yield their fruit in its season.
In the season of Easter, we use this moment in the service to offer up prayers of thanksgiving instead of prayers of confession. I invite you to join with me in our unison prayer of thanksgiving, followed by a time either for silent personal thanksgiving or to name your blessings out loud at home.
Let us pray. . .
Moment of silent prayer–people of God, what are you thankful for this week?
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Bruce Prewer, based on Psalm 1, John 17)
You, loving God, are the ground of our being and the river of life; you both steady our roots and draw them to seek the living waters. You are like the sunlight enticing us taller and like the breeze rustling our leaves. You are with us through hard seasons of summer heat, and in the nights when winter’s frost ices the landscape your love warms and sustains us. You are everything to us.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING (Matt Rich, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
Open our hearts and our minds, O Lord, that above all the many voices that swirl around us we might clearly hear your word to us today; and in the hearing of your word, may our lives might be transformed by this encounter with you. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING
JOHN 17:6-19 (NRSV)
Jesus said, ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Consider:
- What are you praying for? How does this illuminate the state of your spirit?
- Think about a time when you knew others were praying for you. What made that experience a powerful one?
- How do you think that prayer is connected with faithful action by Jesus’ disciples in the world today?
- On this final Sunday of the season of Easter, how are your prayers bearing witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection?
HYMN Thine Is the Glory
lyrics by Edmond Louis Budry, 1884
music by G.F. Handel, 1748
public domain
1 Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment
rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes
where thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o’er death hast won.
2 Lo! Jesus meets us,
risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us,
scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness
hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth;
death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]
3 No more we doubt thee,
glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without thee;
aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors
through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan
to thy home above. [Refrain]
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
YOU CAN FIND TODAY’S GUEST PREACHER HERE
HYMN I LOVE YOU, LORD
Words and music by Laurie Klein
© 1978 House of Mercy Music (admin. Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing)
Used by Permission. CCLI License #3456351
I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice
to worship you; o my soul, rejoice.
Take joy, my King, in what you hear;
may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Matt Rich, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
As Christ prays on behalf of his disciples, let us pray on behalf of all those Christ loves. God of grace, the world is full of those who delight in your teachings and those who scoff at your ways. We pray that we might meditate on you day and night, that we might be an influence for good in the world. May we be like trees planted by streams of water.
God of wisdom, the world is full of those whose faith seeks understanding and those who discard the truth. We pray that we might receive your Word and know that you are the truth that transforms our lives. May we be like trees planted by streams of water.
God of justice, the world is full of those who seek to do what is right and those who seek only their own self-interest. We pray for those who protect the innocent and seek to overcome systems that oppress. May we carry your light until all might see your way. May we be like trees planted by streams of water.
God of healing, the world is full of those who are sick, injured, alone and in need of care; and those who dedicate their lives to caregiving and healing. We pray that your holiness and wholeness will draw near to all those who are in need, that they might be filled with your presence. May we be like trees planted by streams of water.
God of unity, the world is filled with those who claim that they belong to you and those who actively work against your plans and purposes for a new creation. We pray for reconciliation, courage and faith for your church; that your followers will be sanctified in the truth; and that we might proclaim the good news of redemption in you with great joy to a world in desperate need of good news. May we be like trees planted by streams of water.
As Christ prays on behalf of his disciples, we lift up to you the prayers of our hearts for those we know and love, trusting them to your protection and care. (Silent prayer.)
Hear our prayers and give us confidence and courage that we might join our voices together, praying with the words that Christ himself taught his disciples:
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 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.
HYMN O Praise the Name
music and lyrics by Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher, and Marty Sampson
© 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia, Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Used by Permission. CCLI License #3456351
I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet
My Saviour on that cursed tree
His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone
O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
Then on the third at break of dawn
The Son of heaven rose again
O trampled death where is your sting?
The angels roar for Christ the King
O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
He shall return in robes of white
The blazing sun shall pierce the night
And I will rise among the saints
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face
O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
INVITATION TO OFFERING (Matt Rich, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
As God’s blessings shower upon us, we respond to God’s amazing grace with our hands, our feet, our hearts, our prayers and our tithes and offerings. Let us bring our gifts in gratitude and praise.
MORNING OFFERING
If you are able to, please consider mailing your offerings to the church (210 Smith Street) or dropping them off in the mail slot. Alternatively, there is a link at the top of this page that will take you directly to a secure page where you can make a one-time donation. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Matt Rich, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK)
Christ has made the name of the Lord known to us, so we give thanks. In your name, O Lord, use these gifts, and the time, talents and very lives they represent, for your glory as your kingdom breaks forth in this world. Amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Mark 16:1-9; Matthew 16:16; Revelation 22:13; John 20:28)
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God’s countenance be lifted upon you and give you peace.
As our service of worship concludes,
may our lives of worship and service begin anew.
As Christ prays for you,
pray for one another.
As Christ forgives you,
forgive one another.
As Christ loves you,
love one another.
From wherever you are, serve the Lord: Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
If you are using this page to follow along with today’s worship service while it is being live streamed, please join us for virtual coffee hour! Turn on your video camera and join us after the benediction with THIS LINK. You could also join over the telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting code 146 874 134, followed by the password 075003. You can find other events throughout the week on our CALENDAR.