ORDER OF WORSHIP
APRIL 14, 2024 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 Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 4)
Leader: Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress.
PEOPLE: But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
Leader: Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the LORD.
PEOPLE: There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
Leader: You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
PEOPLE: I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie
down in safety.
INVOCATION
We are in awe of your magnificent power displayed through the entire universe, for through you all things were made. May we know the presence of the Holy Spirit here with us today. May we be open to your leading, sensitive to your speaking and alert to your calling. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Red # 558
CALL TO CONFESSION
We try and try, and we somehow never try hard enough to fulfill God’s expectations and or sometimes even our own. Let us confess our sins together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of loving kindness, we confess that we are not always attentive to you word or your will. Forgive us our hardness of hearing and heart; open our ears and our souls to your bidding. Help us to realize in our depths that that all goodness we possess comes from you, and from the example of Christ. In his name we pray, Amen
(moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Sisters and Brothers, we struggle and wrestle with our own shortcomings, but in coming to our God they are forgiven by the grace of Jesus, Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI Red # 805
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed, condensed)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. Through him all things were made We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Thine is the Glory” Red #251
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 3: 12-19 Debby & Paul Hill
EPISTLE READING: John 3: 1-7
GOSPEL READING: Luke 24:36b-48
SERMON: Doubt of a Shadow John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Gracious God, keep in our hearts all those whose names you already know and who ask for healing in their own quiet ways, as we pray as Jesus taught us:
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
May what we offer here be of our own hearts and dedicated to the service of our faith and our mission to others as they become the blessings and hope that others need and pray for in their own lives. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
OFFERTORY “Shall We Gather at the River?”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN “May the Lord, Mighty God” Red #843”
BENEDICTION
To those who have been called and are loved by God the Father and kept by the grace of Jesus Christ. May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance, on this day and those to come. Amen
POSTLUDE Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954