ORDER OF WORSHIP
May 7, 2023 10:30 AM
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Communion Sunday
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 “Let Us Break Bread Together” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 31)
Leader: 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: take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
Leader: Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD.
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
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 and help us, we look to the needs of the church and the world. This we pray in Jesus name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” Red #699
CALL TO CONFESSION
We try, but we always seem to come short of your expectations, Dear Lord. Let us confess our sins together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Father of us all, you give us life and love and all of creation, yet we waste ourselves and our resources through selfishness and greed. You bring us light, yet we hide in the shadows of our own sins. Forgive us Dear Lord, as you shine the light of your grace on our pathways through the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
A moment for silent personal confession
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE:
“To God Be the Glory” Red #72
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
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Acts 7:55-60 Cathy McCarty
EPISTLE READING 1 Peter 2: 4-8
GOSPEL READING: John 14:1-14
SERMON Stephen, Stones, and Saul John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER:
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:
LORD’S PRAYER
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
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion
PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Adapted from the Barmen Declaration of 1934)
We worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; with Him are the origin and destiny of nature and of man. Our knowledge of God and His ways comes primarily from the Bible. Through these writings God speaks. In the life, teaching, crucifixion and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, His one true Son, God has revealed Himself to men and reconciled them to Himself. By the working of the Holy Spirit, we are invited and enabled to turn from our sin and put our faith in Christ. In the Christian fellowship we enter upon a new life of praise, joy, peace, freedom, service, witness, and love. The reality of God is greater than any man’s understanding of it; we can set no limits to His power.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY: “Bread of Life” by Mark Hayes
**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.
CLOSING HYMN: “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit” Red #291
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE. “Solfeggio in D Major” Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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