ORDER OF WORSHIP
MAY 5, 2024 10:30 AM
SIXTH 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 “Ancient Words” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 98)
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
PEOPLE: Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.
Leader: With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
PEOPLE: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
Leader: Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy the presence of the LORD
PEOPLE: for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
INVOCATION
Most loving God, who cares for us as a parent and shows us the way to overcome obstacles that would prevent us from loving in return, may we feel even deeper affection for you and to the kind of faith that brings us closer to your will and to fuller lives for each of us, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine” Red #514
CALL TO CONFESSION
The Living God pours out the Holy Spirit before us and to us, so that we may see our limited rituals as responses to limitless love and blessing, not as prerequisites for them. Let us pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, We come to you asking for help in knowing that we should not, and indeed cannot, confine your divine activity to our own schedules and prejudices. Help us to remain open in our own faith journeys to being preempted by your Spirit. In his name, we pray. Amen.
(moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
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.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “All Creatures of our God and King” Red #356
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.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 10: 44-48 Dan Olson
EPISTLE READING: 1 John 5: 1-6
GOSPEL READING: John 15: 9-17
SERMON: By the Water and the Blood 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 today we pray in a new way:
Dear Lord,
Let your Holy name be known.
Show us the way for our lives to follow.
Help us to receive what we really need, not just want.
Forgive our mistakes and help us forgive those that might hurt us.
Lead us on your path and keep us from harm.
The power is yours, always. Amen. **
** A recent re-discovery from my Confirmation Class at the First Presbyterian Church of LaSalle, Colorado, April 1964. This was a class project, so I can’t claim it’s completely mine.
**COMMUNION HYMN “We Come as Guests Invited” Red #784
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Communion Liturgy & Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sharing of the Elements
Concluding Prayer
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 “Take Me to the Water”
**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.
**HYMN OF PARTING “God Be with You” Red #840 (Verse 1)
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 “To God Compose a Song of Joy” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
Session
Moderator: John Redman
Co-Clerks of Session: Libby Syzmanowicz & Mary Whidden
President of Corporation: James Phillips
Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026
Janice Anderson Merle Hennessey Nancy Thomas
Jeff Bousche Dave Young Mary Whidden
Rob Ferguson Brittany Brooks Sheila O’Donnell
Deacons
Moderator: Alana Gervais
Co-Moderator: Cathy McCarty
Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026
Alana Gervais Jane Miller Donna Trafagander
Arminda Porretto Bob Beams Sue Sloat
Sue Young Gayle McKenzie Cathy McCarty
Opmerkingen