Central Reformed Church Sixth Sunday of Easter May 17, 2020

REFLECTION

“The following reasons may be given why children ought to Jesus Christ above things in the world: He is more lovely in Himself. He is one that is greater and higher than all the kings of the earth, has more honor and majesty than they, and yet He is innately good and full of mercy and love.

There is no love so great and so wonderful as that which is in the heart of Christ. He is one that delights in mercy. He is ready to pity those that are in suffering and sorrowful circumstances as one that delights in the happiness of His crea- tures.

The love and grace that Christ has manifested does as much exceed all that which is in this world as the sun is brighter than a candle. Parents are often full of kindness towards their children, but that is no kindness like Jesus Christ’s….

There is more good to be enjoyed in Him than in everything or all things in this world. He is not only an , but an all-sufficient good. There is enough in Him to answer all our wants and satisfy all our desires.”

—Jonathan Edwards, “Children Ought to Love the Lord Jesus Christ Above All,” Sermons and Dis- courses: 1739-1742, in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 22, ed. Harry S. Stout (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003), 171-172.

ORDER OF WORSHIP SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 17, 2020 9:30 am (We invite you to quiet your homes as you prepare for worship.) ______

GATHERING IN LOVE

Prelude “Moonlight Sonata, 1st Movement, Op. 27, No. 2” (Ludwig van Beethoven) “To God Be the Glory with Moonlight Sonata, 2nd Movement” (arr. Kendall R. Lord) “Procession and Ornamented Chorale on ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’” (Charles Callahan) “Voluntary on ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’” (Michael Burkhardt)

Welcome

Votum, Call to Worship (from Psalm 124:8, Psalm 66:8, and Acts 17:24)

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. People: Amen. Leader: Bless the Lord, O people, sing! People: Let the sound of praise ring out. Leader: Come and hear what the Lord has done, People: the Lord who has made everything! Leader: Let us worship God!

Opening Hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (DIADAMATA) (You are invited to sing along.)

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne; Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all but its own; Awake, my soul and sing of him who died for thee And hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave, Who rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save; His glories now we sing who died and reigns on high, Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time, Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime. All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me; Thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity. The Salutation

Leader: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who , and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faith- ful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. People: Amen!

Invitation to Confession (from Psalm 66:20 and Acts 17:30)

Brothers and sisters, God not only asks us to repent, but also reassures us of forgiveness. Therefore, let us confess our sins to the one who is steadfast love.

Prayer of Confession (unison; from I Peter 3:16, 21 and John 14:15, 21)

Loving God, we do not always keep your commandments; we fail to love you; our conscience is not clear. Wash us in the water of life that we may live again through the grace and mercy of Jesus, our resurrected Savior. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Sisters and brothers, God forgives, restores, and strengthens us through the risen Christ. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.

Peace Leader: The peace of the risen Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

LISTENING IN EXPECTATION

First Lesson I Peter 3:13-22

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good con- duct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the right- eous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And bap- tism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Moment

Musical Reflection “If You Love Me” (Natalie Sleeth)

If you love me, truly love me, keep my commandments day by day. If you love me, truly love me, follow forever in my way.

If you love me, truly love me, come now and my disciple be. If you love me, truly love me, follow and so remember me.

Through the land my people feed. Alleluia. In their sorrow, in their need. Alleluia.

If you love me, truly love me, into the world arise and go. If you love me, truly love me, there everywhere my witness show.

Second Lesson John 14:15-21

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Loving Jesus” Rev. Steven D. Pierce

Prayer for a Blessing on the Word

Musical Reflection “Give Me Jesus” (African American Spiritual)

In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.

Refrain: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus; You may have all this world, give me Jesus.

Dark midnight was my cry, dark midnight was my cry, Dark midnight was my cry, give me Jesus.

Just about the break of day, just about the break of day, Just about the break of day, give me Jesus.

Oh, when I come to die, oh, when I come to die, Oh, when I come to die, give me Jesus.

RESPONDING IN FAITH

Psalm of the Day Psalm 66:16-20

Leader: Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what God has done for me. People: I cried aloud to God, and God was extolled with my tongue. Leader: If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. People: But truly God has listened; God has given heed to the words of my prayer. All: Blessed be God, because God has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.

Announcements

Prayers of the People During the prayers each week, we remember our neighboring faith communities and their leaders. Today we are praying for the staff and congregation of Aberdeen Reformed Church.

Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. During the prayer: Leader: God of resurrection, People: Hear our prayer.

Sung Lord’s Prayer “The Lord’s Prayer” (Albert Malotte)

DEPARTING IN JOY

Hymn “Beautiful Savior” (ST. ELIZABETH) (You are invited to sing along.)

Benediction and Blessing

Leader: Whoever you are, wherever you go in God’s wide world, Whatever happens to you of good or ill, always remember that . . . People: Jesus is Lord!

Leader: And always remember that the tomb is empty; Christ has risen. As you journey in faith, may your life be full, your love be abundant, and your hope be eternal. Live this day and always for Christ Jesus because the Risen Christ lives in you. People: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Postlude “Fanfare” (Jacques Lemmens)

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WORSHIP LEADERS

Preacher: Rev. Steven D. Pierce Liturgist: Vivian TerMaat Director of Music Ministries: Taemin Han Principal Organist: Norma de Waal Malefyt Vocalist: Maria Warren Video Tech: Alex Grigoriev Sound Tech: Nick Loubert

Cover Art: Psalm 23—Detail 3 © John August Swanson | Eyekons

WORSHIP NOTES

New to Central? Thank you for joining us online today. Central Reformed Church is located on the corner of College and Fulton in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of downtown Grand Rapids. Our mission is to connect all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service. We have been in ministry for almost 180 years and are a part of the Reformed Church in America, a Chris- tian denomination that began in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1628. We look forward to be- ing able to worship with you in person once the COVID-19 crisis is over. Until then, please stay safe.

Second Hour: This morning, join us immediately after worship for a virtual coffee hour, hosted by Jeff Chu. Then, at 11:00 am, Pastor Larry will lead our second hour discussion. We will begin by watching a video presentation by theologian and author N.T. Wright titled, "What Should a Christian Say about the Coronavirus?" Following this 25-minute video, Pastor Larry will host a discussion with attendees about what they saw and heard. You can join the virtual coffee hour and/or the second hour discussion by clicking on this link—https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82362914622? pwd=eWc0UGJmNEp1Z0ErT3Ywa3Y1WHZ1dz09—or by going to www.zoom.us/join and entering the meeting ID (823 6291 4622) and password (204188).

In Our Prayers: Mike Bennett; Neva Evenhouse; the family of Dan Coke as they grieve the loss of his father; Jean Troost (hospice care); George Boerigter; Janet VanDyke; Tom Tabor; Central members with loved ones who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 but are now on the path to recovery; all who have contracted COVID-19, are awaiting test results, or are anxious about their health or the health of loved ones; all of our brothers and sisters across the globe who mourn the loss of loved ones and grapple with a strange, new life lived in isolation from one another; those facing cancer; all those ministering to and caring for the sick and grieving.

Next Sunday, May 24: Join us for our live stream worship service at 9:30 am. Meditative music will begin at 9:15 am. Pastor Larry Schuyler will be preaching. Please invite others to join you online.

Media Connections: Please visit Central’s YouTube channel, where morning devotions are available, along with other resources. You can access it with the following link: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UC3FOD-Tc5g5v8kZV35rqGGQ. Today’s service is available via live stream through our web- site at centralreformedchurch.org. Audio of past sermons is also available. Follow us on Facebook or In- stagram: @centralreformed.

Giving: Thank you for your continued financial generosity to Central. As always, you are welcome to mail your gifts to the church office. (Staff check the mailbox a couple of times a week.) Online donations are also gratefully received. To make a one-time or recurring gift either via credit card or via your bank account, please visit www.centralreformedchurch.org/give and click on the purple “Give Now” button, which will take you to Tithely, Central's online giving platform.

Central Reformed Church 10 College Avenue NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 616.456.1773 centralreformedchurch.org

Connecting all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service.