Contemporary Worship Sunday, April 25, 2021
Welcome
Song of Praise and Worship Only King Forever
Our God, a firm foundation Forevermore, You are victorious Our rock, the only solid ground You are the only King forever As nations rise and fall Almighty God we lift You higher Kingdoms once strong now shaken You are the only King forever But we trust forever in Your name Forevermore, You are victorious The name of Jesus We trust the name of Jesus We lift our banner high We lift the name of Jesus You are the only King forever From age to age You reign Almighty God we lift You higher Your kingdom has no end You are the only King forever We lift our banner high Forevermore, You are victorious We lift the name of Jesus From age to age You reign Unmatched in all Your wisdom Your kingdom has no end In love and justice You will reign And every knee will bow You are the only King forever We bring our expectations Almighty God we lift You higher Our hope is anchored in Your name You are the only King forever The name of Jesus Forevermore, You are victorious Oh-oh, we trust the name of Jesus You are the only King forever You are the only King forever Almighty God we lift You higher Almighty God we lift You higher You are the only King forever You are the only King forever Forevermore, You are victorious
Pastoral Prayer
Offering Behold
Behold I have a friend Then sings my soul The Spirit breathing holy fire within How great Your love is My ever present help How great Your love is Speaking truth when I can't find it Then sings my soul Light up this broken heart Then sings my soul And light my way How great Your love is Until my time on earth is done How great Your love is Oh, Holy Spirit Then sings my soul Breathe in me like Kingdom come Oh, Holy Spirit My God Let Your work in me be done He who was and is to come Prepare the way Then sings my soul Until the work on earth is done Then sings my soul Watch as the clouds He rides swing low How great Your love is Lift up the sound How great Your love is As He makes our praise His throne Then sings my soul Behold the Lord our God will lead us home
Children’s Moment Ellen Griffin
Scripture Lesson John 10:11-18
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Message Pastor Laura Katherine Stern
Song of Sending Beautiful Exchange
You were near though I was distant When only love Disillusioned I was lost and insecure Could make a way Still mercy fought for my attention You gave Your life You were waiting at the door In a beautiful exchange Then I let You in When only love Trading Your life for my offenses Could break these chains For my redemption You gave Your life You carried all the blame In a beautiful exchange Breaking the curse of our condition Perfection took our place Holy are You God Holy is Your name When only love With everything I've got Could make a way My heart will sing You gave Your life How I love You In a beautiful exchange Holy are You God My burden erased Holy is Your name My life forgiven With everything I've got There is nothing that could take this love My heart will sing away How I love You And my only desire And sole ambition Is to love You just the same
Sending Forth and Passing the Peace
Traditional Worship Sunday, April 25, 2021
Welcome
Prelude Panis Angelicus Franck
Passing the Peace
Greeting Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Hymn of Praise Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee UMH 89 Stanzas 1, 2, 4
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, Field and forest, vale and mountain, God of glory, Lord of love; Flowery meadow, flashing sea, Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Chanting bird and flowing fountain, Opening to the sun above. Call us to rejoice in thee. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away. Mortals, join the mighty chorus Giver of immortal gladness, Which the morning stars began; Fill us with the light of day! Love divine is reigning o'er us, Binding all within its span. All thy works with joy surround thee, Ever singing, march we onward, Earth and heaven reflect thy rays, Victors in the midst of strife; Stars and angels sing around thee, Joyful music leads us sunward, Center of unbroken praise. In the triumph song of life.
Opening Prayer
We are your people, O God - the sheep of your pasture, the flock you have gathered. Lead us beside still waters, teach us the way of righteousness, and feed us at your table; through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as Your scriptures are read and Your word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what You say to us today. Amen.
First Lesson Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Moment Ellen Griffin
Second Lesson John 10:11-18
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Message Pastor Laura Katherine Stern
Hymn of Response Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
The Apostles’ Creed
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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at 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 Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen.
Prayers of the People
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Giving of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory The King of Love My Shepherd Is Burroughs-Price
Offertory Response
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Hymn of Sending Forth Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee UMH 175 Stanzas 1, 2, 4
Jesus, the very thought of thee To those who fall, how kind thou art! With sweetness fills the breast; How good to those who seek! But sweeter far thy face to see, And in thy presence rest. Jesus, our only joy be thou, As thou our prize wilt be; O hope of every contrite heart, Jesus, be thou our glory now, O joy of all the meek, And through eternity. Blessing and Sending Forth
Postlude My Soul Now Bless Bach