ORDER OF WORSHIP
April 23, 2023 10:30 AM
Third Sunday of Easter
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “Let All Things Now Living” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 116)
Leader: love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
PEOPLE: Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as
long as I live.
Leader: What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
PEOPLE: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the
LORD.
Leader: I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the
LORD.
PEOPLE: I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
Leader: in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
PEOPLE: Praise the LORD!
INVOCATION
**OPENING HYMN: “For the Beauty of the Earth” Red #353
WEEKLY MESSAGE
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh is conducting its Annual Walk for Housing today, and we encourage all of you to sign up on my page in support of the walk. You can do that on the sheet in the narthex, and I will be circulating at Fellowship time. And Longtime Habitat volunteer, Jim Alber also has a few minutes to share with you on his time with this amazing organization.
REFLECTION BY JIM ALBER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFRIMATION OF FAITH (Apostles Creed as Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE: “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” Red #54
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voices but your own, so that we may hear your Word and also live it, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Genesis 1: 26-30 Mary S. Whidden
GOSPEL READING: Luke 24:13-35
SERMON Emmaus Always Happens John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER:
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We can hoard the gifts with which you bless us, God of generosity, or we can share them with others. May what we offer in these moments be the very blessing, the very hope, the very peace others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY: “Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace”
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional)
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Closing hymn: “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit” Red #291
RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
Leader: Our time together in worship has come to an end,
PEOPLE: but our life in Jesus Christ goes on.
Leader: We go now, in his name, into all the world.
PEOPLE: Let our light shine so bright with joy that all can see.
Leader: Let our love show to all we meet, in his name,
PEOPLE: Amen! Amen!
POSTLUDE. “This is My Father’s World” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955