Sunday, May 17, 2020

7th Sunday of Easter
Ascension Sunday

“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: Let us praise the Ruler of Creation, people of God’s blessing! The Almighty Lord, Grand One of the Heavens, has given us life and joy!
All: We praise to Jesus Christ, for we are people of his love! Jesus teaches us the way of salvation and his word guides us wherever we walk.
Pastor: Rejoice, people of the Spirit, rejoice! The Holy Spirit rants peace and confidence to all who call on the name of the Lord.
All: Alleluia! Amen!

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” UMH #089
Text: Henry Van Dyke
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven; Arr. by Edward Hodges
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733303. All rights reserved.

1. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!

2. All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.

3. Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.

4. Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
love divine is reigning o’er us,
binding all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward,
in the triumph song of life.

Recognition of Memorial Day and Memorial Day Litany
“We Remember Them” Read by Larry McKinley

At the rising of the sun and at its going down
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring
We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer
We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn
We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us as we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength
We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart
We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share
We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make
We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us as we remember them.
(Written by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Reimer)

Prayers of the People, Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reading
Philippians 4:10-13 (NRSV)

Meditation
“I Can” Rev. Matthew Sergent

Hymn “I’ll Fly Away” TFWS # 2282
Words: Albert E. Brumley (Isa. 55:6; 2 Cor. 5:8)
Music: Albert E. Brumley 1960
Albert E. Brumley & Sons, admin. By Integrated Copyright Group.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733303. All rights reserved.

1. Some glad morning when this life is o’er I’ll fly away!
To a home on God’s celestial shore I’ll fly away!
when I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away!

2. When the shadows of this life have gone I’ll fly away!
Like a bird from prison bars have flown I’ll fly away!
I’ll fly away, oh glory!
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away!

3. Just a few more weary days and then I’ll fly away!
To a land where joys shall never end: I’ll fly away!
I’ll fly away, oh glory I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away!

Benediction

Pastor: Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 24-25)

Postlude