SECOND SUNDAY of EASTER “Can I Get a Witness?” April 11, 2021 9:00 Am & 11:00 Am
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SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER “Can I Get a Witness?” April 11, 2021 9:00 am & 11:00 am Greetings to everyone! We extend a warm welcome to those joining us for in-person or our live stream worship service this morning. As we celebrate together, we hope you will sense God’s presence as we gather together. PRELUDE “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” arr. Robert Buckley Farlee “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” arr. Robert J. Powell “Christ Is Alive!” arr. J. Wayne Kerr WELCOME Rev. L. John Gable CALL TO WORSHIP (from Romans 10:14-17) Leader: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. People: But how are they to call on One in whom they have not believed? Leader: And how are they to believe in One of whom they have never heard? People: And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim Him? Leader: And how are they to proclaim Him unless they are sent? Unison: So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the Word of Christ. HYMN OF CELEBRATION “Christ Is Alive!” Truro Unfortunately, for the safety of all, congregational singing is not permitted during in-person worship. Please use this time to meditate on the words of this beautiful hymn. Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die. Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine, But saving, healing, here and now, and touching every place and time. In every insult, rift, and war where color, scorn, or wealth divide, Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died. Those who are able may stand Women and men, in age and youth, can feel the Spirit, hear the call, And find the way, the life, the truth, revealed in Jesus, freed for all. Christ is alive, 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. PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison) Rev. Oscar Clavel Gracious God, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ and the promise of new life You offer us in Him. He showed us the way to live in faith and assured us that we will never be alone; however, we have not trusted in that promise. We confess that we often feel lost because we trust in our own way instead of following Your way. We are fearful of change and prefer to live in the security of our own certainty. We confess we would rather live in the comfort of our own familiarity than facing the unknown of where You will lead us. Forgive us, Lord. Remind us once again of Your assurance that in this journey of life, whenever we feel alone and anxious, You are with us. These and all things we pray through Christ our Lord. SILENT CONFESSION ASSURANCE OF PARDON The Apostle Paul writes, “I remind you of the Good News which you received, in which you stand and by which you are saved: Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures and on the third day was raised again to new life.” Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel. Unison: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! THE APOSTLES’ CREED (in unison) 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. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Rev. L. John Gable WORSHIP SONG “Way Maker” Mandisa Unfortunately, for the safety of all, congregational singing is not permitted during in-person worship. Please use this time to meditate on the words of this beautiful song. You are here, moving in our midst; I worship You, I worship You. You are here, working in this place; I worship You, I worship You. You are Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are. You are here, touching ev'ry heart; I worship You, I worship You. You are here, healing ev'ry heart; I worship You, I worship You. You are here, turning lives around; I worship You, I worship You. You are here, mending ev'ry heart; I worship You, I worship You, Lord. That is who You are. Even when I don't see it, You're working; You never stop, You never stop working. PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE 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. SCRIPTURE LESSONS Isaiah 43:1-7 But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in My sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring My sons from far away and My daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.” II Corinthians 4:7-12 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. SERMON Can I Get a Witness? Rev. L. John Gable “If You say so, we will!” MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION AND PRAYER CLOSING SONG “Grateful” Chris Brown Unfortunately, for the safety of all, congregational singing is not permitted during in-person worship. Please use this time to meditate on the words of this beautiful song. This is the day that You have made; Whatever comes, I won’t complain. For all my hope Is in Your name, And now Your joy awaits my praise. I give thanks for all You have done, And I will sing of Your mercy and Your love. Your love is unfailing; Lord I am grateful. When I was down, You brought me out And set my feet on higher ground. So here I stand; You are my God. Your faithfulness, my solid rock. I give thanks for all You have done. I won't forget all the battles You have won. Your love is unfailing; Lord I am grateful. And as we lift our hands The heavens open, heavens open. So let our lives declare the love our God has spoken over us. BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” arr. Wilbur Held We ask that you not congregate inside the building before or after the service. If you wish to come early or stay late to socialize, please do so outside. “IN PERSON” WORSHIP This morning we continue our “in-person” worship services. If you are attending “in person” please note that there will be two entrances available to the building. The Parking Lot entrance th will be available as well as the 34 Street entrance. If you enter via the Parking Lot we ask that you proceed down the south hallway to the Sanctuary and exit that way as you leave. The service will also continue to be offered as a live stream on Tab’s YouTube channel, tabindy. This live stream option is offered each Sunday morning at 10am. As always, we encourage everyone to continue to practice good health precautions. Also, please continue to pray for those who are infected and all those who are affected, for those who are caring for the infirmed and all those who are making decisions for the common good.