John Calvin Presbyterian Church

 

PRELUDE “It Is Well With My Soul”

 

one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#][GTG#688] Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart

1 Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;

stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,

and make me love thee as I ought to love.

2 I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,

no sudden rending of the veil of clay,

no angel visitant, no opening skies;

but take the dimness of my soul away.

3 Hast thou not bid us love thee, God and King;

all, all thine own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind?

I see thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.

O let me seek thee, and O let me find!

4 Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh.

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,

to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh.

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

5 Teach me to love thee as thine angels love,

one holy passion filling all my frame;

the baptism of the heaven-descended Dove,

my heart an altar, and thy love the flame.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Source of Shalom, 

you have raised Jesus from death to life, and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world, and failed to give him glory. Forgive us, and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Psalm 97

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord , before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him. Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God. For you, O Lord , are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord , O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

2nd  SCRIPTURE     Acts 16:16-34   

One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.                            

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Singing Hymns in Jail”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Panis Angelicus” by César Franck

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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.

HYMN [Blue #326][GTG#418] Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me.

See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,

watching for you and for me.

Refrain:

“Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home.” Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

calling, “O sinner, come home!”

2 Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

pleading for you and for me?

Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,

mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]

3 O for the wonderful love he has promised,

promised for you and for me!

Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,

pardon for you and for me. [Refrain] 

PARTING PRAYER   Augustine of Hippo

Fill us with your holy love, O Lord, and open the treasures of your wisdom to us. You alone know all that we desire. So perfect what you have begun in us, and answer the prayers you instill in us through the stirring of your Holy Spirit. Even as we seek your face, turn to us and show us your glory. Then our longing will be satisfied, and our peace will be complete. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#][GTG#661] Why Should I Feel Discouraged? (His Eye Is on the Sparrow)

3 Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to him, from care he sets me free:

his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;

his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

POSTLUDE   “Oh Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins                             

*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. 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.

STAFF

which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#][GTG#462] I Love to Tell the Story

1 I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;

it satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.

Refrain:

I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory

to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

2 I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat

what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. [Refrain]

3 I love to tell the story, for those who know it best

seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.

And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,

’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain] 

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal Lord, 

you call us to come to you in the world, but we disobey you. We choose power and profit over the acts of love that you exemplify for us again and again. We are content to work within systems that oppress instead of working to change things. We forget that everything comes from you, and that we are just stewards of what you have given. We seek out mountain tops instead of being among your people. Forgive us God, for the times that we forget your call to fully follow your example in the world. Embolden us to live fully in your call: to love our neighbor.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah. 

that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah 

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 

The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.

May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.

2nd  SCRIPTURE     John 5: 1-9   

After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath. 

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Do you want to be made well?”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY  Pie Jesu (from Requiem, Op. 48) by G. Fauré

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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.

HYMN [Blue #139][GTG#2] Come, Thou Almighty King,

1 Come, thou almighty King, help us thy name to sing;

help us to praise: Father, all glorious, o’er all victorious,

come, and reign over us, Ancient of Days.

2 Come, thou incarnate Word, merciful, mighty Lord,

our prayer attend. Come, and thy people bless,

and give thy word success; Spirit of holiness,

on us descend.

3 Come, holy Comforter, thy sacred witness bear

in this glad hour. Thou who almighty art,

now rule in every heart, and ne’er from us depart,

Spirit of power.

4 To thee, great One in Three, eternal praises be,

hence evermore! Thy sovereign majesty

may we in glory see, and to eternity

love and adore.  

PARTING PRAYER   

Grant unto us, O God, the fullness of your promises. 

Where we have been weak, grant us your strength; 

where we have been confused, grant us your guidance; 

where we have been distraught, grant us your comfort; 

where we have been dead, grant us your life. 

Apart from you, O Lord, we are nothing, 

in and with you we can do all things. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#435][GTG#733] We All Are One in Mission

2 We all are called for service

to witness in God’s name.

Our ministries are different;

our purpose is the same:

to touch the lives of others

by God’s surprising grace,

so every folk and nation.

may feel God’s warm embrace. 

POSTLUDE  Fugue in C Major, BWV 846  arr.  J. S. Bach                               

*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. 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.

STAFF

O brother sun with golden beam, O sister moon with silver gleam, sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 O brother wind with clouds and rain, you nurture gifts of fruit and grain. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

O sister water, flowing clear, make music for your Lord to hear. Sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 O brother fire, so warm and bright, chase off the shadows of the night. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day unfolds such blessings on our way, sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

4 All who for love of God forgive, all who in pain or sorrow grieve, Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ bears your burdens and your fears; so, even in the midst of tears, sing praises! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

5 And you, most gentle sister death, waiting to hush our final breath: Alleluia! Alleluia! Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom, fair is the night that leads us home.

Sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6 O sisters, brothers, take your part, and worship God with humble heart. Alleluia! Alleluia! All creatures, bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One!

Sing praises! Alleluia!

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS   

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 148

ONE: Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

    praise him in the heights!

MANY: Praise him, all his angels;

    praise him, all his host!

ONE: Praise him, sun and moon;

    praise him, all you shining stars!

MANY: Praise him, you highest heavens

    and you waters above the heavens!

ONE: Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for he commanded and they were created.

MANY: He established them forever and ever;

    He fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

ONE: LET EVERYTHING that breathes praise the Lord.

MANY:Praise the Lord!

                                        

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Amazing God, in the victory of the resurrection, you make all things new.  Long ago you called your church to selfless, sacrificial, forgiving love.  Give us a spirit of openness that we might discern the new ways you are calling your church today. Through Christ we pray.  Amen.

HYMN [Blue#122][GTG#238] Thine Is the Glory

1 Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.

Refrain:

Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

2 Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; 

lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.

Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,

for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]

3 No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life!

Life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife.

Make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. [Refrain]  

     

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, you call us to love each other as you loved us.  But we don’t.  We crab about little things that don’t really matter, and we just don’t listen to those with whom we disagree on things that do matter. We don’t forgive our sisters and brothers, yet we expect to be forgiven immediately.  Please forgive us.  Remind us that You are always near, remind us of your sacrificial love.  Teach us to live in that love.  Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579] [GTG581]     

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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. 

2nd  SCRIPTURE     John 13:31-35

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “A New Law”  Rev. Jan Condren

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE 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

HYMN [Blue #376][GTG#366] Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 

1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling;

all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion; 

pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

2 Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast; let us all in thee inherit;

let us find the promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive;

suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray, and praise thee without ceasing,

glory in thy perfect love.

4 Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee:

changed from glory into glory, 

till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee, 

lost in wonder, love, and praise.

PARTING PRAYER   

 God of love, as we leave this place, show us how to love each other, so that our lives bring glory to you.  Show us how to love each other that the world might see it and know that we are your disciples. Show us how to glorify you in all that we do, and give us strength and courage to do it. Through Christ we pray.  Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#108][GTG#246] Christ is Alive

 5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring good news to this and every age, till earth and sky and ocean ring

with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

POSTLUDE                                   

*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. 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.

STAFF

You sent Jesus, our good shepherd, to gather us together. May we not wander from his flock, but follow wherever he leads us, listening for his voice and staying near him, until we are safely in your fold, to live with you forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#][GTG#511] Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven

1 Come, behold! the feast of heaven Alleluia!
has to mortal flesh been given. Alleluia!
Hear the Word of God declared: Alleluia!
“Come! the banquet is prepared.” Alleluia!

2 All is ready, come attend Alleluia!
as the Lord’s invited friend; Alleluia!

Come from north, west, south, and east; Alleluia!
celebrate the joyful feast. Alleluia!

3 All who trust in God belong Alleluia!
at this banquet with this throng. Alleluia!

Share the mystic holy food; Alleluia!
taste and see: the Lord is good. Alleluia!

4 As the Lord our God has willed, Alleluia!
here the hungry soul is filled; Alleluia!

Here the weary are refreshed. Alleluia!
All who share God’s feast are blessed. Alleluia!

        

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Mighty Redeemer, 

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.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579] [GTG581]     

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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Acts 9:36-43

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

2nd  SCRIPTURE     John 10:22-30   

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” 

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “The Unseen Hand”  Rev. Dr. Martha Robson

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY  Spring Song by Linda Spevacek

Duet sung by  Elder Sandy Cranfill & Elder Bill Bottomley

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

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.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ONE: … Great is the mystery of faith:

MANY: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again…

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

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  

HYMN [Blue #467][GTG#625] O Lord My God (How Great Thou Art)

1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

consider all the worlds thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander

and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: [Refrain]

3 And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,

sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

he bled and died to take away my sin: [Refrain]

4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!” [Refrain] 

PARTING PRAYER   

Almighty God, bless your people. 

Give us your peace, your help, and your love, for we are the sheep of your pasture. Let us be united in your peace, one in the Body, one in the Spirit, and one in the hope of our calling, all through the gift of your endless grace. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#][GTG#324] For All the Faithful Women

For all the faithful women who served in days of old,

to you shall thanks be given; to all, their story told.

They served with strength and gladness

in tasks your wisdom gave. 

To you their lives bore witness, proclaimed your power to save.

POSTLUDE    For All the Faithful Women (based on tune NYLAND)                               

*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. 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.

STAFF

 

 

one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [Blue#][GTG#300] We Are One in the Spirit

1 We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;

we are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord,

and we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

Refrain

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;

yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

2 We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;

we will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand,

and together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land: Refrain

3 We will work with each other; we will work side by side;

we will work with each other; we will work side by side,

and we’ll guard human dignity and save human pride:Refrain

4 All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,

and all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful Lord,

We know that your throne is surrounded by the voices of many angels and that you are worshiped by the multitudes of the heavenly host, but we so often fail to join in their “amen.” We do not fall down and worship you as we know we should. We are distracted by our catch, by our high priests, by our mourning, and our doubts. Show yourself to us anew and give us the faith to cast our nets in other waters. Strengthen us to worship you alone as the one on the throne and the Lamb slaughtered for all.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord , for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord , you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. Sing praises to the Lord , O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O Lord , I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord , and be gracious to me! O Lord , be my helper!” You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

2nd  SCRIPTURE     Acts 9:1-20    

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Road to Transformation”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

HYMN [Blue #][GTG#71] Surely, It Is God Who Saves Me

Refrain:

Surely, it is God who saves me;  I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold 

and my sure defense, and God will be my Savior.

1 Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation and on that day you shall say, Give thanks to the Lord and call upon God’s name.” Refrain

2 Make God’s deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that the Lord is exalted. Sing the praises of the Lord, for God has done great things and this is known in all the world. Refrain

3 Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion; ring out your joy,

for the great one in the midst of you

is the Holy One of Israel. Refrain

PARTING PRAYER   

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

RESPONSE [Blue#][GTG#550] Give Praise to the Lord (Psalm 149)

3 In glory exult, all saints of the Lord;

with song in the night high praises accord;

go forth in God’s service and strong in God’s might

to conquer all evil and stand for the right.

POSTLUDE                                   

*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. 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.

STAFF