May 19, 2019
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Adagio in A Minor J.S. Bach
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
*Hymn: #301 Let Us Build a House
Joys and Concerns | Silent Prayer
Call to Worship
One: Come to praise God, all you faithful people!
Come, for God welcomes you and offers to draw close.
Many: Praise to God, who rules all the earth; praise to God, who is as near as our next breath.
Sun and moon and stars shine in praise to God.
God created them and established for each a place.
God has a place for us in this world; we come to be charged again by God’s holy presence.
Mountains and hills, trees and animals praise God.
Let all the rulers of the earth do so as well.
Praise God, who draws all who dwell on earth into one family of grace.
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
We praise you, O God, and celebrate your presence with us. Your glory fills all heaven and earth, all time and space. Your gifts surround us and dwell within us. We are your children. Come to wipe away our tears and comfort us in our distress. Come to heal our divisions and overcome our prejudices. Come, that we might be loved into discipleship.
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
We admit, holy God, that we find it hard to hear your promise of new life. Even when we are dissatisfied with our lives, it is easier to cling to what we know than to risk the unknown. You challenge us to accept people who are different from us, but we are not eager to associate with them. You command us to love one another, but some people are not lovable. O God, melt our defenses so we can accept your love and let it flow through us. Grant us courage to embrace newness. 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 Psalter: Psalm 148
One: Hallelujah!
Give honor to the Holy One from the heavens;
Many: Give honor to God
in the heavens of the heavens!
Honor the Holy One, all you angels of God;
Honor the Holy One,
all you heavenly multitude!
Honor the Holy One, sun and moon;
Honor the Holy One, all you shining stars!
Honor the Holy One, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them honor the Holy One’s purposes,
For God willed it and they were created.
The Almighty established them to endure forever;
The Author of Life gave a decree
that will never pass away.
Honor the Holy One all who are on the earth,
you sea monsters and all ocean depths,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind that blows God’s will!
You mountains and all hills,
Fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and tame,
Creeping things and winged birds!
All monarchs of the earth and all peoples,
The rulers and the mighty of the earth!
Young men and young women alike,
Old people and children together!
Let them honor the Holy One’s purposes,
For God’s renown alone is exalted;
God’s splendor is greater
than earth and heaven.
The Holy One has raised up the people to dignity,
The faithful themselves are an honor to God,
God’s people, who are close to the Almighty:
Hallelujah!
*Hymn: #837 What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
Offering of Gifts: Air from Water Music Suite Handel
*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 13:31-55
(Pg. 132 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Pastoral Prayer| Silent Prayer| Lord’s Prayer
The Sunday School Children
present
The Story of Daniel & the Lions
Written & Directed by Barbara Collins
Benediction
Postlude: Psalm XX Benedetto Marcello
(* 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 is Open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation. We are Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As an 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!
Join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s hosts are Cynthia LaPier & Helen Scoville.
Prayer List
Marty Finkle, Sean Clegg, Bolton Hull, Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber, Ruth Tyrol, 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.
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:
Bob Maxwell for serving as our lay reader;
Sal Accardo & Michael Voldstad for serving as ushers.
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Church Council Meeting
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
5:30 pm Deacons’ Meeting
Tuesday: 5 pm SOAR Cooking Class
6 pm Meeting House in use
Wednesday: 9 am Staff Meeting
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Pastor John will be on vacation May 24 – June 7.
Clergy and Deacons are on call for pastoral needs;
please contact the Church office.
OPPORTUNITIES
SILVER LAKE
Registration for the 2019 Summer Camp Session at Silver Lake Conference Center is open! Our church’s annual budget allocates money to pay for our young people to attend Silver Lake Conferences free of charge. Please contact Barbara Collins for further information.
On Sunday, June 16, we will celebrate the Commissioning of the Silver Lake Summer Staff during worship.
On Sunday, June 23, we will worship at Silver Lake Conference Center, 223 Low Road, Sharon CT at 10:00 a.m. (There will be no worship service in the meeting house on this day.)
Anyone who would like to carpool to Silver Lake should gather at the Meeting House: at 9:30 a.m. and we will caravan to Silver Lake together.