Service for the Lord S Day

First Presbyterian Church 636 Park Avenue West  Barberton, Ohio 44203  330-745-2161 [email protected]  www.fpcbarberton.org Service for the Lord’s Day May 10, A.D. 2009 The Fifth Sunday of Easter and Mothers’ Day 10:45 a.m.  An asterisk indicates an invitation to rise as able.  Congregational parts are printed in bold italics. Gathering Silent Prayer of Preparation O God, light of the minds that know you, life of the souls that love you, strength of the thoughts that seek you: help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Chimes and Organ Prelude * Gathering Song for Easter [vv. 1,5] Blue Hymnal #108 “Christ Is Alive” TRURO (1) Christ is a-live! Let Chris-tians sing. The cross stands emp-ty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, con-qu’ring death, shall ne-ver die (5) Christ is a-live, and comes to bring Good news to this and every age, Till earth and sky and ocean ring With joy, with justice, love, and praise. BOB – PLEASE NOTE MY CHANGE IN THE TEXT OF LINE 2 This is a not too familiar hymn, so the choir & organ will need to lead assertively. * Greeting One Another * Choral Introit Congregation remains standing BOB – PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INTROIT COMES NOW, WITH NO ANNOUNCEMENTS AFTER THE GREETING. THE ORGAN INTRO AND INTROIT WILL CALL THE CONGREGATION TO A MOOD OF WORSHIP. * Call to Worship Let us worship God. A mother eagle stirs up her nest. She hovers over her young. She spreads her wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft on her pinions. Like a mother eagle, the Lord has guided Jacob, God’s people. [Deut. 32:11-12, alt..] * Hymn Blue Hymnal #376 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (alt. tune) BEECHER * Our Vision (Unison) Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, whom do we follow? We are followers of Jesus Christ. What is our work? Sharing God's Word, showing God's Love, and serving God's creation. And what is our goal? Striving to glorify God – always! Amen. Confession of Sin (Unison) O Incarnation of love itself: you lead us and guide us in the way we should go. You have set before us the way of life, and have illumined that way by the self-giving love of your Son on the cross, whom you raised from the dead. Yet we have wandered from your fold, and strayed from your path. By your merciful Spirit, draw us back to yourself, and set our feet on your own loving and caring way; that step by step, and day by day, we may live anew to your glory. Amen. [Silent prayer…]

See reverse side of this bulletin for continuation of the service. Choral Response “You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy” KYRIE ELEISON Declaration of God's Pardon * Congregational Response “Glory Be to the Father” GLORI PATRI Welcome and Concerns of the Church The Word Children’s Moment Mrs. Patty Neidert, Director of Christian Education Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world: red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world. Prayer for Illumination First Scripture Reading I John 4:7-21 Pew Bible p.___ The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God! Gospel John 15:1-8 Pew Bible, p. ___ The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Anthem Sermon “Proof in the Pudding” Dr. Nash *Hymn See Insert “O God, Whose Steadfast Love” RHOSYMEDRE Choir sings verse 1, to help us remember the song. Congregation joins on vv. 2 through 4. * Affirmation Of Faith “A Biblical Confession” from I Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Amen. Prayers of the People After each petition: “Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.” Lord’s Prayer & Choral Response Blue Hymnal, p.16 TRADITIONAL Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory Yvonne Stewart, Organist *Response Blue Hymnal #592 DOXOLOGY *Prayer of Dedication Sending * Hymn Blue Hymnal #267 “All Things Bright and Beautiful” ROYAL OAK *Pastoral Blessing Organ Postlude Today’s Liturgical Color Today’s liturgical color is white – the color reserved for seasons of highest celebration in the church. It reminds us of the white robes that Revelation tells us are worn by the glorious saints in heaven. Liturgist

How to Join the Church We warmly welcome new members! If God is calling you to consider membership in this church, please do one of the following, and your journey into membership will begin: (1) check the appropriate box on the register of friendship; (2) tell the pastor at the door; or (3) call the church office – you can leave a message 24/7. Christ needs you as an active, committed member of his church.