Update From Playschool 9/4/21
Hi Parents,
I hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well during this unfortunate time. As if Covid wasn’t enough to deal with to start the school year, now Ida gave us even more to manage. I am sending you this email just to let you know where we stand as of now with the playschool campus and the start of the school year.
John Calvin was lucky as far as damage from the storm goes, and we escaped with minimal effects. We had a water line bust underground on the playground, a fence on the big playground come partially down, some playground equipment get tossed, and some ceiling tiles in classrooms that need to be replaced. As far as we can tell (without having power) those are the only damages we can see. The 2 large trees that came down did not land on the building so we were very fortunate. Obviously, we will be unable to start school on Sept. 7 & 8 as planned, but we do intend on starting as soon as possible after the power is restored and the sewerage systems are deemed appropriate to handle lots of flushing toilets. If the power is restored on September 8 (as suggested by Entergy) and we can find no other issues with the campus that would prevent us from safely having the children at school, we hope to start school on September 14 with the same schedule that was supposed to take place on Sept. 7. The September 8th schedule will take place on September 15 and 4’s and TK students will have a regular half day till 11:45 on that day. Extended Day and Before Care would then start during the week of September 20. Again, this is the TENTATIVE plan as long as the campus is safe and we have enough teachers able to be here to fully staff the school.
Just as we have some playschool families that faired well with minimal damages, we have some that have suffered immense damage. The same goes for our teachers- we have some that lost everything and some with minimal damage. Those that lost everything will probably/ most likely not be able to start the beginning of the school year with us, but they will return as soon as they can after figuring out living arrangements and their family necessities. In those couple of classrooms, a sub or another teacher or myself will cover for them until their return. We also have the issue of teachers being able to be at work, but their young children not being back in school yet due to their schools being severely damaged (if we open on Sept. 14 and some other schools do not open yet). As you can see, there are many moving parts but I am doing my best to make it work as best we can. Please, please be understanding and patient as we do our best to navigate these difficult, stressful times. We are working hard to get our students in school as soon as we can to bring a sense of normalcy and routine to their lives, and we know that parents need some time to decompress/ work/ clean/ run errands without them for a few hours.
This is the best update I can give so far and as soon as power is restored and I can assess the situation fully I will let you know. Just to sum up—school will not start as planned but we HOPE to begin exactly one week later with the same schedule. I will confirm the start date with another email and Facebook post so please be on the lookout for it. In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy, and hug your little ones tightly because this is their first big hurricane experience and the way we handle it is the way they will remember it. It is far from ideal in any way, but life has a way of taking our plans and throwing curve balls in there. I pray that you and your family are able to come together and enjoy this curve ball a little as we are reminded that property can be replaced, but loved ones and our sense of community is priceless.
Will be in touch soon,
Lauren Crisler Oufnac
Director
John Calvin Presbyterian Playschool
(504) 888-1378
Order of Worship 09_12_21
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
16th Sunday after Pentecost
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
September 12, 2021 Ten Thirty in the morning (CST)
Virtual service of Worship
Minister: The Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist:
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE – Morning Has Broken – Richard Blake
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP (Genesis 1:1-2 NIV)
ONE: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
MANY: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Spirit of God, just as you hovered over the deep darkness, you hover over our lives. Just as you brought light and love to the creation, you bring it into our lives as well. Fill us with your light and form us into a new creation, made in your image. Amen.
HYMN “God of the Sparrow”
1.God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
2.God of the earthquake God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
3.God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thank
- God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
5.God of the neighbor God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Joy
- God of the ages God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI 579
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.
PASSING THE PEACE
PROCLAMATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON – John 1:1-18 NRSV
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,[c] and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
SCRIPTURE LESSON – Genesis 1:1-2:4a NRSV
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Over the Chaos” Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
COLLECTION OF OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “God So Loved the World”
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING
*HYMN “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”
1 Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration!
2 Praise ye the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
3 Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
*PARTING PRAYER The Three Step Prayer- Jose Hobday (1929-2009)
First Step: Plant your feet firmly on the earth. Using your five senses, give thanks to our Creator God for the countless ways God comes to us through creation- for all the beauty that your eyes see, for all the sounds that your ears ear, for all the scents that you smell, the tastes that you taste, for all that you feel (the sun, wind, rain, snow, warm, or cold). Pray this day that you may be open and attuned to the countless ways that our Creator God comes to us through your senses, through the gifts of creation.
Second Step: Let go of all the pain, struggle, regret, failures, garbage of yesterday – step out of it – leave it behind- brush the dust of it from your feet.
Third Step: With this third and final step, step into the gift of the new day, full of hope, promise, and potential. Give thanks for the gift of this new day, which God has made!
Amen.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Toccata – Belier
Order of Worship September 5, 2021
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
15th Sunday after Pentecost
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
September 5, 2021 Ten Thirty in the morning (CST)
Virtual service of Worship
Minister: The Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Julie Hebert
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE – I -“Poco allegretto” from Seven Pieces in C major and C minor – C. Franck
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 46)
ONE: God is our refuge and strength,
MANY: A very present help in trouble.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of earthquake and storm; you call us in the wilderness, separated by space and time. You call us in the many places where you have sent us to continue to be your people. We thank you for the safety that you have provided, and pray for your grace on those who were harder hit than us. Amen.
HYMN “God of the Sparrow”
1.God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
2.God of the earthquake God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
3.God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thank
- God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
5.God of the neighbor God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Joy
- God of the ages God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Merciful God, in your presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves, as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI 579
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.
PASSING THE PEACE
PROCLAMATION
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
SCRIPTURE LESSON – Acts 28:11-31 NRSV
Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’ They replied, ‘We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.’
After they had fixed a day to meet him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: ‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
“Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.”
Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’
He lived there for two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “The Ends of the Earth” Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
COLLECTION OF OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “My Jesus I Love Thee”
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SENDING
*HYMN “Amazing Grace”
1 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
2 ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
3 Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
4 The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
- When we’ve been there ten-thousand years, bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.
*PARTING PRAYER Attributed to Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-c. 547)
O gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Allegro maestoso from Handel’s “Water Music”
Order of Worship 08_29_21
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
14th Sunday after Pentecost
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
August 29, 2021 Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Louise Ochart
Bold face indicates congregational participation
*Please Stand in body or spirit
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE “Voluntary in G” Henry Heron
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP Hebrews 13:16
Do good and share what you have
for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of compassion, you desire that all people might be drawn to you. You leave the ninety-nine sheep behind to find the missing one, you search for the last coin, you look for the missing child, and you give your own life so that we might live. Give us the faith and courage to proclaim your good news through word and deed. Amen.
HYMN 370 “Just as I Am”
- Just as I am without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou biddest me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
- Just as I am, thy love unknown has broken every barrier down;
now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O lamb of God, I come, I come.
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Merciful God, in your presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves, as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI 579
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.
PROCLAMATION
FIRST LESSON Matthew 10:5a, 16-23 NRSV
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions…
‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
ANTHEM
SECOND LESSON Acts 25:23-26:29 NRSV
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in. And Festus said, ‘King Agrippa and all here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish community petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death; and when he appealed to his Imperial Majesty, I decided to send him. But I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write— for it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.’
Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself:
‘I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defence today against all the accusations of the Jews, because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg of you to listen to me patiently.
‘All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, your Excellency, that I am accused by Jews! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?…
‘After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here, testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would take place: that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’
While he was making this defence, Festus exclaimed, ‘You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!’ But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. Indeed the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.’ Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.’
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Whether Quickly or Not” Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism: BOC 4.001
Q1: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?
A1: That I belong body and soul, in life and in death not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
COLLECTION OF OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.
SENDING
*HYMN 371 “Lift High the Cross”
Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
1 Come, Christians, follow where our Savior trod,
the Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. [Refrain]
2 All newborn servants of the Crucified
bear on their brow the seal of Christ who died. [Refrain]
3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
your death has brought us life eternally. [Refrain]
4 So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory. [Refrain]
*PARTING PRAYER Attributed to Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-c. 547)
O gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Lord of all Life” by Edward Broughton