ORDER OF WORSHIP - MAY 3RD, 2026

ORDER OF WORSHIP

MAY 3RD, 2026 10:30 AM

FIFTH SUNDAY IN EASTER

COMMUNION SUNDAY

**Kindly stand if you are able

**PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship

PRELUDE            “Wondrous Love” – J. Christopher          John Coates, Organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 31)

LEADER: In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.

PEOPLE: Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.

LEADER: You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

PEOPLE: Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

LEADER: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and

persecutors.

PEOPLE: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

INVOCATION

This is the house of the Lord. We ask you to send your spirit here so that we might

feel your presence with us as we worship.

**OPENING HYMN                “How Firm a Foundation”                Red #612

CALL TO CONFESSION

The Lord asks all of us to come to him as supplicants and ask for forgiveness with

humble hearts.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

We come to you, Lord, with heads bowed and with shame for our sins. We live for treasures here on Earth rather than for our eternal salvation. We turn away from you and live for our own pleasures. Help us to find the strength to turn away from our sins and walk in your light. Help us to live for you rather than for our own selfish desires. Help us do your work in our lives and communities.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Jesus tells us to forgive seventy times seven. So will God forgive all our sins so long as we offer them to him with sincerity. The gift of grace is for all.

**GLORIA PATRI                    “Glory Be to the Father”                  Red #805

**HYMN OF PRAISE             “To God Be the Glory”                     Red #72

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

The scriptures are our map to God. Listen to the Word and you can find the way to

peace and salvation.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

FIRST NEW TESTAMENT              Acts 7:55-60                          Dan Olson

SECOND NEW TESTAMENT        1 Peter 2:2-10

GOSPEL                                           John 14:1-14

SERMON MESSAGE            “I Am: We Are”                                  James Philips

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 us 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.

**COMMUNION HYMN                  “Come, Share the Lord”                  Red #782

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table

Great Prayer of Thanks

Words of Institution

Prayer of Conclusion

**PASSING OF THE PEACE

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Declaration of Faith 1977)

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God has already demonstrated his judging and saving work. We are warned that rejecting God’s love and not caring for others whom God loves results in eternal separation from him and them. Yet we are also told that God loves the whole world and wills the salvation of all humankind in Christ. We live in tension between God’s warnings and promises. Knowing the righteous judgment of God in Christ, we urge all people to be reconciled to God, not exempting ourselves from the warnings. Constrained by God’s love in Christ, we have good hope for all people, not exempting the most unlikely from the promises. Judgment belongs to God and not to us. We are sure that God’s future for every person will be both merciful and just.

OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. May our gifts be a blessing to those who receive them. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

OFFERTORY                         ”In the Bulb There is a Flower”                 Red #678

DOXOLOGY                           Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)

**PRAYER OF THANKS

We thank you, our Lord for those gifts to us that we send to you for your work and ours in congregation, community, and culture. Guide us in good use as we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

**HYMN OF PARTING           “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”     Red #834

BENEDICTION

The only way to reduce ugliness in the world is to reduce it in yourself.

― Bayard Rustin

POSTLUDE                            “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation”     Red #699

James Phillips

Union Church

44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550            

https://www.newburghpresby.org

(845) 562-0954