ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE: Pavane Ravel
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Margaret Vera
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Eternal and ever-blessed God, Lord of heaven and earth:
We praise your glorious majesty.
We see your wisdom in all your works;
Your grace and truth are revealed in Jesus Christ, your Son;
Your power and presence are given to us through your Holy Spirit;
We adore your holy name, O blessed Trinity.
* HYMN No. 697 In Christ There Is No East or West
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Righteous Father, We come asking your forgiveness.
We seek your salvation, then act like we save ourselves.
We beg your forgiveness, then repeat our errors.
We experience your grace, then act defeated.
We rely on your power, but only in hardest of times.
In your mercy, forgive us.
(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: John Ness Beck
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
In death's dark vale I far no ill,
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still;
Thy cross before to guide me.
And so through all the length of days,
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: All Things Come of Thee, O Lord
All things come of thee, O Lord,
and of thine own have we given thee.
* HYMN No. 689 The Church's One Foundation
Prayer of Illumination
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Psalm 23 p. 435
1 John 3:16-24 p. 990
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON A Community of Faith and Love Carlos Rivera
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Belgic Confession, Article 22
We believe that for us to acquire the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith that embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits and no longer looks for anything apart from him.
Faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness. And faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: Hallelujah (from "Mount of Olives") Beethoven
Hallelujah unto God's Almighty Son.
Praise the Lord,
ye bright angelic choirs,
in holy songs of joy,
Man, proclaim his grace
and glory, Hallelujah
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 263 Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
* BENEDICTION
Response: O The Blessedness Is Great
O the blessedness is great,
and its beauty none can tell,
on Christ's bosom, safe from harm,
In Him love secure to dwell.
Peace of mind there we find,
and forgetting sadness,
Follow Him with gladness
POSTLUDE: Fugue in Eb "St. Anne" Bach
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.
Adult Sunday School Opportunity
Next Sunday, April 29th, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library
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.
Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon
Sunday, May 6, 2018, after the worship service
Election of elder and deacons
Approve the annual budget
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
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, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Ruth Murray, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow