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 “Pavane” Music by Gabriel Fauré Lindsay Stelling, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 117)
Leader: Praise the LORD, all you nations!
PEOPLE: Extol him, all you peoples!
Leader: For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
PEOPLE: Praise the LORD!
INVOCATION
O God, we come today to celebrate this season of renewal. As your Son was resurrected so may we be renewed. We ask your help in practicing our faith – not just in words but in actions that embody true Christian teachings of love, sharing, tolerance and forgiveness. Give us the strength, the patience and the hope we need to live our lives in this troubled world and do good works in your name. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Surely The Presence of the Lord Is in This Place” (Insert)
CALL TO CONFESSION
Everyone is touched by sin and every sinner has a story. Our God is a God of forgiveness – let us pray together that we may be forgiven. Please join me in our Prayer of Confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Mercy, we are often confused by this world. There are so many distractions that tempt us to stray from Your path. It is far too easy to doubt Your purpose when we see the turmoil around us. We hesitate to act in ways that demonstrate mercy and kindness, especially when we are confronted with opinions and people different from us. Forgive us our hesitation and our doubt. Teach us through your Holy Spirit to practice the lessons taught by your Son so that we may help bring healing to our world. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen
(moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
No one knows us better than God. He sees our goodness and our faults. His love for us is so powerful that He can acknowledge those faults and amplify that goodness. In His love and by the grace of Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh)
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Seek Ye First” Red #447
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles Creed (traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals. 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 overflow with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 14:10-22 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL READING John 20:19-29
SERMON MESSAGE “Doubt and Confusion” Fred Stelling, Elder
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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:
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 “How Great Thou Art”
**DOXOLOGY
(Avery & Marsh)
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 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Red #609
BENEDICTION
Go now to love and serve the Lord and work good deeds in His name.
POSTLUDE “Hymn Medley” Nancy Miller, Organ
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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