Second Sunday of Easter
April 28, 2019
Prelude: Lift Your Voice Rejoicing, Mary Wilbur Held
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
*Hymn: #236 The Strife Is O’er
Announcements
Joys and Concerns | Silent Prayer
Introit: #817 We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight (v.1)
Call to Worship
One: God is our strength and our salvation;
Let everything that breathes praise our God!
Many: This is the day that God has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it!
One: Praise God for wondrous deeds and extravagant love. Praise God for loving care and for each breath.
Many: We will give thanks this day, for God is good.
The steadfast love of God endures forever.
One: Grace to all and peace, from the one who is
and who was and who is to come.
Many: We bear witness to the God of love and life!
Christ is risen: Alleluia!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God of all our beginnings, may this day and every day begin with our praise to you. Let every breath become a witness to your Spirit, dwelling within and among us. Open our hearts to receive your saving gifts. Loosen our tongues to proclaim your unsurpassed greatness. May the noise of your celebration help your people to sense your powerful presence and to claim the joy of serving you, in Christ’s name. Amen.
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
God of our ancestors, how easily we have made you a relic of the past. We act as if you were unreal, or at least irrelevant. By our inattention, we have rejected you and the one whom you sent to teach us. We are ruled by fears more than faith, by hostility more than peace, by a sense of failure more than feelings of accomplishment and victory. Forgive our misuse of the precious days you have entrusted to us. Help us to see the signs of your presence and to witness with joy to our Leader and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
Gloria: #583 Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Responsive Reading: Psalm 150
(Pg. 717 in the Old Testament in the pew Bible)
Reading from Hebrew Scriptures: Acts 5:27-32
(Pg.149 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
A Thought for Young Minds & Lord’s Prayer
(Children may go to Sunday School & Youth Group)
*Hymn (insert) Lo, In The Grave He Lay
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: A Classic Easter Alleluia Mary McDonald
*Doxology: #607
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit ever more;
praise Triune God whom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
(Pg. 141 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: “The Last Laugh” Pastor John Nelson
Pastoral Prayer | Silent Prayer
Response: #817 We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight (v.1)
*Hymn: #246 Christ is Alive!
Benediction
Response: #246 Christ is Alive! (v.5 – sung by all)
Postlude: Welcome Happy Morning Wilbur Held
(* The congregation may stand.)
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves. This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person. As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person. Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey: you are welcome here!
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s host is the Christian Action Committee.
Please see an usher if:
You would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Many thanks to:
Kathy Mera for serving as our lay reader
Sarah Morrison & Jim Hussey for serving as ushers
Prayer List:
Sean Clegg, Bolton Hull, Jean Gallup, Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson,
Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Joe K., Peter & Linda,
Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard, Pauline, Friends & Family of: Gail Weigel, Joe Scotto, Elizabeth Adam, Dan Cunningham & Alain
CALENDAR
Sunday: 11 am 274th Annual Meeting Part II
1pm Choir Rehearsal
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Tuesday: 5 pm SOAR Cooking Class
5:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 9 am Staff Meeting
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 6 pm National Day of Prayer ~ Town Hall/Rain ~ Meeting House
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
7 pm Choir Rehearsal
Saturday 9:30 am Choir Rehearsal
Next Sunday: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
3 pm Elijah Concert