Sunday, May 17, 2020
6th Sunday of Easter
“He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day,
just as the Scriptures said.”
1 Corinthians 15:4
ORDER of WORSHIP
Greeting and Welcome
Prelude Music
Call to Worship
Pastor: Rejoice in the Lord always!
All: We rejoice in the Lord.
Pastor: I will say it again, Rejoice!
All: We will always rejoice in the Lord!
Pastor: Let us worship our Lord.
Opening Prayer
All: God of peace, cause us to rejoice in you always, make us gentle to everyone, keep us from being anxious about anything-help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving; and let your peace guard our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(By Michael Perry in Bible Praying)
Hymn “When Morning Gilds the Skies” UMH #185
Text: Kathocisches Gesangbuch
Music: Joseph Barnby, 1838-1896
1. When morning gilds the skies
my heart awakening cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer,
to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
2. The night becomes as day
when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear
when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
3. Let all the earth around
ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In heaven’s eternal bliss
the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
4. Be this, while life is mine,
my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song
through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
A Modern Affirmation of Faith – God’s Rule of Grace
All: We believe in God, Creator of all things,
Ruler of all that is and all that is to come.
God is transforming the world into the place of God’s justice and mercy.
We follow Jesus, who taught and healed,
who died and rose, revealing God’s abundant grace. He sent disciples out into the world to heal, to proclaim the good news of your grace, and to participate in the Reign of God in all that we do. He reigns in love over all creation, and holds all accountable to their faithfulness to God’s rule of grace.
We rely upon the unfailing grace of God,
the presence of the Holy Spirit, the community of the church as the body of Christ, the unity of all believers, the power of forgiveness, the reality of resurrection and the alluring blessing of eternal life.
Therefore we devote ourselves to lives of daily prayer, study, service and reflection, following Jesus as our Master, for the sake of the transformation of the world by the grace of God.
(Steve Garnaas-Holmes, umcdiscipleship.org/resources, 2017)
Gloria Patri UMH #71 “Glory Be to the Father”
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th Cent.
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851.
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.
Scripture Reading Philippians 4:1-9
Meditation “I Say, Rejoice” Rev. Matthew Sergent
Prayers of the People, Lord’s Prayer
Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.
Benediction
Go forth, beloved, bearing witness to whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing and whatever is commendable, and may the God of peace be with you and those you love. Amen.
(Based on Philippians 4:8-9)
Postlude
