Note: Pg #s refer to the BAS
If you love me, you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and we will come to you. ~See John 14.23
Processional Hymn: #342 We Praise You O God
We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring;
we lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name: glad praises we sing.
We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers;
through trial and tempest companion and guide;
when perils o'ertake us, you never forsake us,
but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.
With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise;
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing.
To you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!
Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship
Sing praises to God, you faithful, give thanks to God’s holy name!
Weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
God turns our weeping to dancing and clothes us in gladness.
May we praise God & not be silent! Thanks to you O God, forever! Amen. (Seasons of the Spirit)
Sunday School Dismissal I have joy like a fountain… (in my soul) x2
(We prepare our hearts for worship in silence)
The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185)
Glory to God p. 186
Kyrie Eleison p. 186
A Collect for Mother’s Day: Most gracious and gentle God, from the womb of your love you gave birth to all creation, and in your Son Jesus Christ you reveal a loving-kindness that longs to gather up your children under the shadow of your wings: Bless, we pray, all mothers, especially those who nurse and care for children. Give them patience and wisdom. Sustain them in gentleness and grace. Deepen the tenderness of their affections. Affirm them in the nobility of their calling. May our children always find in the embrace of mothers an outward and visible sign of your never-failing love and care. And through the love of our mothers, may we all feel the warmth of your tender mercies and know the constancy of your unconditional love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word (Led by Jessie Scott)
First Reading: ACTS 17:22-31
PSALM 66:7-18 R: Be joyful in God, all you lands.
The Epistle: 1 PETER 3:13-22
Gospel Hymn: # 494 Not for Tongues of Heavens Angels
Not for tongues of heaven's angels,
not for wisdom to discern,
not for faith that masters mountains,
for this better gift we yearn:
Refrain
may love be ours, O Lord;
may love be ours.
May love be ours, O Lord.
Love is humble; love is gentle;
love is tender, true and kind;
love is gracious, ever patient,
generous of heart and mind:
Refrain
Never jealous, never selfish,
love will not rejoice in wrong;
never boastful, nor resentful,
love believes and suffers long:
Refrain
In the day this world is fading
faith and hope will play their part,
but when Christ is seen in glory
love shall reign in every heart:
Refrain
The Gospel: JOHN 14:15-21
Homily:
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed p. 189 (please stand as able)
Prayers of the People (Led by Doug Shantz)
Confession and Absolution p. 191
The Peace p. 192
Offertory Hymn: # 645 Come Down, O Love Divine
Come down, O Love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
Let holy charity
Mine outward vesture be,
And lowliness become mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart,
Which takes the humbler part,
And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loarthing.
And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till Love create a place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.
Prayer over the Gifts: God of glory, accept all we offer you this day, and bring us to that eternal city of love and light, where Christ is King. We ask this in his name. Amen
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer (sung) p. 211
The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 8) p. 213
Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us…
The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)
Communion Hymn: #66 And Now, O Father Mindful of the Love
And now, O Father, mindful of the love
That bought us, once for all, on Calvary's tree,
And having with us him that pleads above,
We here present, we here spread forth to thee
That only offering perfect in thine eyes,
The one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.
Look, Father, look on his anointed face,
And only look on us as found in him;
Look not on our misusings of thy grace,
Our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim;
For lo, between our sins and their reward
We set the passion of thy Son our Lord.
And then for those, our dearest and our best,
By this prevailing presence we appeal;
O fold them closer to thy mercy's breast,
O do thine utmost for their souls' true weal;
From tainting mischief keep them white and clear
And crown thy gifts with grace to persevere.
And so we come: O draw us to thy feet
Most patient Saviour, who canst love us still;
And by this food, so aweful and so sweet,
Deliver us from every touch of ill:
In thine own service make us glad and free,
And grant us nevermore to part from thee.
Prayer after Communion: God of love, you restored us to life by raising your Son from death. May we who receive this sacrament always be strengthened to do your will, in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen
Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: #425 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,
Op'ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
All thee works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father and our Mother,
all who live in lover are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
The Dismissal p. 215
