ORDER OF WORSHIP
May 21, 2023 10:30 AM
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
ASCENSION SUNDAY
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 “What a Friend we Have in Jesus” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 68)
Leader: Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds--his name is the LORD-- be exultant before him.
PEOPLE: O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,
Leader: the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of the God of Israel.
PEOPLE: your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you
provided for the needy.
Leader: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord
PEOPLE: O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Leader: Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies.
PEOPLE: Awesome is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
INVOCATION
Gracious God, we rejoice in our company here today, to offer our worship and devotion to you and to the teachings of Scripture. Guide us in our pathways of faith, step by step in your name and that of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “All Who Love and Serve Your City” Red #430
CALL TO CONFESSION
The journey of faith is littered with the marks of our stumbling, tripping, and falling
as we struggle for greater understanding of our Lord’s creation and our place
within it. Let us pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Oh Lord, you have appeared among us but we have not seen you. You have walked among us, but we have not followed you. You have spoken to us, but we have not listened to you. You have rejoiced with us, but we have not embraced you. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us. Lord, give us the courage to turn about and return to you, and we will return to our neighbor. Amen.
A moment for silent personal confession
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Friends, even death could not silence the message of love and grace brought to us in the life of Jesus. By the grace of God and the Love of Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE: “At the Holy Spirit Light Divine” Red #302
PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Heidelberg Catechism, 1562)
I believe that the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything within, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because he is almighty God; He desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals and listens. Open wounded hearts to the balm of your Word. Speak to us in clear tones so that we might feel our spirits leap for joy and skip with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 1: 6-14 Rob Ferguson
GOSPEL READING: John 17: 1-11
SERMON “So What Do We Do Now?” 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. Amen
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY: “I Love Thy kingdom, Lord”
**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
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE. “At the River”
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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