ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE: Nocturne in f-minor Chopin
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Isabel Vera
We give thanks to you, God our Father, for mercy that reaches out, for patience that waits our returning, for your love that is ever ready to welcome sinners.
We praise you that in Jesus Christ you came to us with forgiveness, and that, by your Holy Spirit, you move us to repent and receive your love.
Though we are sinners, you have adopted us as children.
You are faithful and worthy of all praise. We praise you, great God, in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
* HYMN No. 233 The Strife is O'er
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Carlos Rivera
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.
(Prayers of Silent Confession)
Kyrie (sung): Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE
God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.
By grace we have been saved!
For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: Lord, We Pray Thee Haydn
Lord, we pray Thee that
Thy grace may always
prevent and follow us,
and make us continually
to be given to all good works,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: William Billings
Kittery (Lord's Prayer Paraphrase)
Our Father who in heaven art,
All hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
throughout this earthly frame.
* HYMN No. 255 Good Christians All, Rejoice
Prayer of Illumination
God of glory, fill your church with the power
that flows from Christ’s resurrection
so that, in the midst of the sinful world,
it may signal the beginning of a renewed humanity,
risen to new life with Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Psalm 4 p. 425
1 John 3:1-7 p. 990
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON: Rev. Blaine Crawford
A Community of God’s Children
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 120
Q. Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”?
A. To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer what should be basic to our prayer—a childlike reverence and trust that through Christ God has become our Father, and that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life, even less will God our Father refuse to give us what we ask in faith.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: The New 23rd (Psalm) Ralph Carmichael
Because the Lord is my shepherd,
I have everything that I need.
He lets me rest in meadows green
And leads me beside the quiet stream:
He keeps on giving life to me
And helps me to do what honors Him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death,
I will never be afraid,
for he is close beside me,
Guarding, guiding all the way,
He spreads a feast before me
In the presence of my enemies
He welcomes me as His special guest
with blessing overflowing.
His goodness and unfailing kindness
shall be with me all of my life,
and afterwards I will live with Him,
Forever and ever, in His home.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 254 Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven
* BENEDICTION
Response: May the Grace of Christ Our Savior
May the grace of Christ our Savior
and the Father's boundless love,
with the Holy Spirit's favor,
rest upon us from above.
Amen.
POSTLUDE: "Black Key" Etude Chopin
Announcements
Music Note For April:
Each week in April the choir will present a different musical setting of Psalm 23. This beloved psalm is one of the best known passages of scripture. Many are drawn to its poetic imagery and the spiritual renewal it provides.
Confirmation Class
The confirmation class, Julia Aiello, Isabel Vera, and Margaret Vera, will take turns serving as readers during the worship service. This coincides with the final section of the confirmation class which is studying worship and the spiritual disciplines. The confirmands will be confirmed on June 3.
Women’s Christian Circle Luncheon
Saturday, April 21, 1:00 p.m., Gessner Hall
Delicious lunch will be catered by Marino Brothers and the Sweet Adeline Chorus will perform. All women are invited.
Adult Sunday School Opportunity
Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library, No class April 22
Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!" Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, the class will extend through the end of April with a new headline discussed every few weeks.
Weekly Calendar
Tuesdays, Bible Study, 7:30 p.m., Folensbee Lounge
Wednesdays, Yoga, 7:30 p.m., Gessner Hall
Thursdays, Prayer Group, 6:00 p.m., Folensbee Lounge
Save the Date:
Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon
Sunday, May 6, 2018, after the worship service
Election of elder and deacons
Approve the annual budget
Prayer List
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Matthew Dagiau, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Bob Gessner, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow