NOTE: Pg #s refer to the BAS

I will not leave you desolate, says the Lord; I will come to you. ~John 14:18

Processional Hymn: #306  O for a Thousand  Tongues to Sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; ye voiceless ones,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land

Call to Worship
God of power, God of people:
You are the life of all that lives, energy that fills the earth, vitality that brings to birth, impetus in making whole whatever is bruised or broken. In you we grow to know the truth that sets all creation free. You are the song the whole earth sings, the promise liberation brings, now and forever. Amen

(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 

Collect: Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another and walk in the way of his commandments, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word   (Led by Doug Shantz)
First Reading:            ACTS 8:26-40

PS 22:24-30         R:  All the ends of the earth shall turn to the Lord

Second Reading:        1 JOHN 4:7-21

Gradual Hymn:  # 474 Jesus Where’er Thy People meet (vs 1&2)

Jesus, where'er thy people meet,
there they behold thy mercy seat;
where'er they seek thee, thou art found,
and ev'ry place is hallowed ground.

For thou, within no walls confined,
inhabitest the humble mind;
such ever bring thee where they come,
and going, take thee to their home.

The Gospel:            JOHN 15:1-8

Gradual Hymn:  # 474 Jesus Where’er Thy People meet (vs 3&4)

Here may we prove the power of prayer
to strengthen faith and sweeten care,
to teach our faint desires to rise,
and bring all heaven before our eyes.

Lord, we are few, but thou art near;
nor short thine arm, nor deaf thine ear;
O rend the heavens, come quickly down,
and make a thousand hearts thine own.

Homily:  “Abide in Me: A Gospel Reflection”

Affirmation of Faith:  (Apostles Creed p. 189)

Prayers of the People    (Led by Nancy Booth)

Confession and Absolution p. 191

The Peace    p. 192

Offertory Hymn:  #485 Love Divine All Lives Excelling 

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n, 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 ev'ry trembling heart.

Come, Almighty, to deliver,
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore they 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.

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 heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.

Prayer over the Gifts: Gracious God, you show us your way and give us your divine life. May everything we do be directed by the knowledge of your truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen

The Celebration of the Eucharist 

The Great Thanksgiving  (Prayer #1, p.193 preface for Easter p. 222)

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)        p. 211

The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 8)     p. 213    

Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us… Grant us Thy peace. 

The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)

Communion Hymn: #56 I am the Bread , the bread of Life

I am the Bread, the Bread of Life;
who comes to me will never hunger.
I am the Bread, the Bread of heaven;
who feeds on me will never die.
And as you eat, remember me,
my body broken on the tree:
my life was given to set you free,
and I'm alive for evermore.

I am the Vine, the living vine;
apart from me you can do nothing.
I am the vine, the real vine:
abide in me and I in you.
And as you drink, remember me,
my blood was shed upon the tree:
my life was given to set you free,
and I'm alive for evermore.

So eat this bread and drink this wine,
and as you do, receive this life of mine.
All that I am, I give to you,
that you may live for evermore.

Prayer after Communion:  God of love, in this eucharist we have heard your truth and shared in your life. May we always walk in your way, in the name of Jesus Christ the 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