ORDER OF WORSHIP
APRIL 28, 2024 10:30 AM
FIFTH 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 22)
Leader: From you comes my praise in the great congregation.
PEOPLE: Those who seek him shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever!
Leader: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
PEOPLE: For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
Leader: To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
PEOPLE: Before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.
Leader: Posterity will serve him and generations will be told about the Lord,
PEOPLE: And proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
INVOCATION
Dear God, our Creator, you call us to love and serve you and our sisters and brothers with hearts, minds, and spirits. Open our hearts in compassion and our minds to focus on your message of love and hopefulness as we look to the needs of the church and the world. This we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” Red #317
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our Lord has given the name above all names for our redemption, for the divine presence it signifies. Let us learn to tap into that wealth of love and grace so that our work here may be truly redemptive. Let us pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Compassionate God we confess our difficulty in believing in, much less trusting your divine power. We seem to be more willing to trust our own devices to accomplish whatever good we may, and to call upon you only as a last resort. Forgive us and convince us yet again that the true source of healing and redemption rests only with you and in your Son, in whose name we pray, Amen.
(moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends in faith, our Lord knows us, understands us, and loves us and therefore he always forgives us. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
**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.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Near to the Heart of God” Red #542
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 8: 26-40 Rob Ferguson
EPISTLE READING: 1 John 4: 7-21
GOSPEL READING: John 15: 1-8
SERMON: In the Vineyard of the Lord 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 “O Word of God Incarnate”
**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 “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” 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
Sue Young N/A N/A
Arminda Porretto
Alana Gervais