ORDER OF WORSHIP, MAY 4th, 2025

Union Church
Apr 30
4 min read

MAY 4TH, 2025 10:30 AM

THIRD SUNDAY IN EASTER

COMMUNION SUNDAY

**Kindly stand if you are able

PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 30)

Leader: Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

PEOPLE: For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Leader: Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!

PEOPLE: You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Leader: so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.

PEOPLE: O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

INVOCATION

Creator God, open our hearts in compassion and receive our petitions on behalf of the needs of your church and the world. You call us to love and serve you and our sisters and brothers with hearts, minds, and spirits. This we gladly do as we pray in Jesus name, Amen

OPENING HYMN “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine” Red #514

CALL TO CONFESSION

In the warmth of spring, it’s so easy to lose our way on the pathway to God. Straighten our steps, and bring us along on the walk of faith as we confess together:

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

Our Creator God, we are amazed at finding the beauty of your world, even as we destroy it through our own neglect. Bring us closer to you in thoughts and prayers and in every step we take in our lives that should bring us closer to you in this wondrous journey of sharing in the resurrection of your son and the celebration of everlasting life. Bring us a deeper understanding of the grace we know by knowing the faith you have made possible in our hearts. Amen

(a moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Eastertide and the Good News of Resurrection bring us once again to the knowledge of your unending love and forgiveness, and by that in Jesus’ name we are forgiven. Amen.

**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)

**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – From the Heidelberg Confession, 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.

**HYMN OF PRAISE “For All the Saints” Red #751

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. AMEN

SCRIPTURE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 61: 1-3 Rob Ferguson

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Revelation 5:11-14

GOSPEL READING: John 21: 1-19

SERMON MESSAGE “FEED MY SHEEP” John Redman, CRE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH

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.

COMMUNION HYMN “Bread of the World in Mercy Broken” Red # 774

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table

Responsive Prayer of Thanksgiving (see insert)

Words of Institution

Concluding Prayer

**PASSING OF THE PEACE

OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS:

Let us all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in

greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus. Amen.

OFFERTORY “What Wondrous Love is This”

**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.

HYMN OF PARTING “Give to the Winds your Fears” Red #618

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “Lord of the Dance” Mary Lee Farris, Piano