Order of Worship 4/21/24
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
4th Sunday of Easter
April 21st, 2024 Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Caleb and Christian Hebert
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
* Please stand, in body or spirit
GATHERING
PRELUDE For the Beauty of the Earth by Jon Schmidt
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN (Blue #554; GTG#37)
Let All Things Now Living
- Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
by guiding us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us; pure light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night:
till shadows have vanished all fearfullness banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.
- By law God enforces, the stars in their courses
the sun in its orbit obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
the depths of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise,
till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!”
WORDS OF WELCOME
DEACON MINUTE AND MINUTE FOR MISSION: Program of Hope
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. 7:17
ONE: The Lamb of God will be our shepherd;
MANY: he will guide us to the water of life.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of the Word, in the parable of the sower you showed us how your word can take root and grow within us. Nurture the seeds of your word in our hearts and help us to grow in faith and love. Amen.
*HYMN (GTG #250) ”Hymn of Promise” PROMISE
- In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold a snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
- There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
- In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
*RESPONSE HYMN (GTG#750) Goodness is Stronger than Evil
Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours Victory is ours through Him who loves us.
CONFESSION
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made.
Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.
DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS
ONE: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
MANY: Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA PATRI (GTG #581)
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
SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Thess 1:1-10
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
SERMON “Imitators of Christ” Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Theological Declaration of Barmen
Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.
As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures.
The church’s commission, upon which its freedom is founded, consists in delivering the message of the free grace of God to all people in Christ’s stead, and therefore in the ministry of his own Word and work through sermon and Sacrament.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY River in Judea John Leavitt
*DOXOLOGY (GTG #609)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
ONE: The Lord be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Lift up your hearts.
MANY: We lift them to the Lord.
ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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.
*HYMN (Blue #272; GTG #22) God of the Sparrow
- 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
- 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
- God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
- God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
- God of the neighbor God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
- 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
*PARTING PRAYER
Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you have overcome death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE Sevenfold Amen by Peter Lutkin
POSTLUDE excerpt from River in Judea John Leavitt
*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.
Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service.
The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.
Announcements 4/21/24
Announcements:
VBS DIRECTOR: The CE committee is looking for someone to be in charge of VBS this summer. The dates for VBS are July 16th to 19th. Please see Louise for more information or if you are willing to help out.
Announcements Continued:
MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to Donate one or two items to the food pantry. This month we are asking for canned fruit, fruit snacks, and applesauce.
TABLECLOTH DINNER: Join us for our next Tablecloth Dinner at Mr. Ed’s in Kenner, 910 W. Esplanade on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 PM.
Creation Care Reading Recommendations: Inhabiting Eden: Christians, the Bible, and the Ecological Crisis By Patricia K. Tull.
In this thoughtful study, respected Old Testament scholar Patricia K. Tull explores the Scriptures for guidance on today’s ecological crisis. Tull looks to the Bible for what it can tell us about our relationships, not just to the earth itself, but also to plant and animal life, to each other, to descendants who will inherit the planet from us, and to our Creator. She offers candid discussions on many current ecological problems that humans contribute to. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions and a practical exercise, making it ideal for both group and individual study. This important book provides a biblical basis for thinking about our world differently and prompts us to consider changing our own actions.
HYMNS and BEER: Join us at 7:00 PM on April 25th at Blue Ruin Speakeasy, 3224 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001 for Hymns and Beers. We will be celebrating this amazing Earth God created and which we have been entrusted to care for. Proceeds from this event will be split between the musician and Glass Half Full.
GARAGE SALE: We are planning a garage and bake sale for the end of May. The sale will take place on Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st. This is a fundraiser to help with church expenses and budget.
As you do your Spring cleaning, please keep the church in mind as a place to donate your quality furnishings, clothes, appliances, tools, kitchenware, books, games, and knickknacks. Large furniture, computers, and some other electronics can not be accepted. Please do not start bringing your items to the church until after service on May 26th. Donations can then be placed in the Fellowship Hall.
Fresh homemade baked goods are a wonderful addition to the sale and can be brought to the Fellowship Hall starting on Thursday, May 30th. Please help us spread the word by informing your friends and neighbors.
CHILDREN CHURCH TEACHERS NEEDED: I am looking for a teacher for the PK Children church class, for April 28th and May 5th. Please see Louise if you can teach one or both of these days. This class takes place during our normal service time after the children’s sermon.
BIRTHDAYS: Mary Antill 4/25, Christina Thomas 4/26, Linda Laporte 4/26, Carol Fourmaux 4/27