Meditations on May 4th

Link to Sermon

                           Order of Service

         Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.

The Community Gathers:  Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.  You are welcome here…come and worship!

Focus: “The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise.”                                                       – Carl Knudsen

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.”                                – Martin Luther

Gathering Music:  You Raise Me Up  (by Rolf Lovland) 

                                                                     –Michelle Currie

Welcome:  

Call To Worship:

One: Holy One, Provider

Many: Our ever-present help

One: In our emptiness

Many: You remind us of your presence

One: In your abundance

Many: You remind us you are here

One: With a love that conquers death

Many: You remind us we are yours

One: Holy! Holy! Holy!

Many: To the Ever-present One

All: Amen.

Opening Hymn: Day By Day (by Stephen Schwartz/Godspell)

LYRICS ~ SING 4X

Day by day

Day by day Oh Dear Lord three things I pray

To see thee more clearly

Love thee more dearly

Follow thee more nearly day by day *Repeat

(ENDING)

Day by day by day by day

Opening Prayer: 

The Risen One is with us. Your ways are ways of justice

Your ways are ways of peace.  Your ways are ways of love

In you, our hearts are full.  In your ways, we will follow

Lord’s Prayer

Readings and Scripture:  Acts 9:1-20; John 21: 1-19  

– Anne Murray                                                                                

Meditation:  Rev. Paula Norbert

                          Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

                Words of Invitation        The Bread and The Cup

  Prayer of Thanksgiving 

Music: Meditative Instrumental ~ One Bread, One Body          

                                                                               – Michelle Currie   

Musical call to Prayer:  (two times)  Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.

Prayers of the People: 

Offertory: The Blessing (Elevation Worship)                 -Michelle Currie

Closing Music:   Blest Be the Tie that Bind                 # 306

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

Benediction:  

As you depart from this place, go with courage, and go with trust that the God who created you is also the One who will sustain you and the One who will show you the way. Until we meet again, may you be filled with curiosity, wonder, and openness to God’s tender leading.  Amen and amen.

Postlude:  Go In Peace

Blessings of hope and peace this Easter Season!

“Your story is still being written—and Easter is a new chapter.”-unknown