Sixth Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Improvisation: O Beautiful for Spacious Skies
Charles Callahan
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
*Hymn #366: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Joys and Concerns | Silent Prayer
Introit: #240 Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
Call to Worship
One: Come to this place of prayer, God is calling us.
Come, all who are burdened; there is healing here.
Many: We have come to hear the Word of God.
We bringwith us all that weighs us down.
Let voices of praise greet the one who calls us.
Be glad together and sing for joy.
Our hearts respond with hope for a new day.
Our voices join in thankful prayers and praise.
God reigns among us and fills the world with light.
We are invited to make our home with the living God.
May God’s ways be known within and among us. May God guide all nations in ways of peace.
Unison Prayer of Invocation
Maker of all things, Ruler of all peoples of the earth, we bring our prayers of thanksgiving and praise. You have provided the water of life for our baptism. You have fed us with the fruits of the earth and nourished us through your Word. Meet us again in the joyous encounter of worship, lest we forget the source of all we have and all that we are. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Amen
Unison Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we have wandered from your love. We have neglected your Word in the torrent of words that inundates us every day. Our hearts are troubled amid the conflicts and violence of our world. Sometimes we find it easier to withdraw: to resist change, lest it requires more of us. We risk withdrawing from you. We know you are reaching out to heal us; help us respond. Let us recognize your compassion feeding and changing us, that we may return your grace to the world you love. 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 67
One: May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make the Divine face to shine upon us,
Many: that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth
revere the Holy One.
Scripture Reading: Acts 16:9-1
(Pg. 165 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
A Thought for Young Minds & Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn #511:Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven
Anthem: Our Refuge and Strength Joseph Martin
*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: Matthew 14:13-21
(Pg. 19 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: “The Miracle of Leftovers” Dr. Mauro
Pastoral Prayer| Silent Prayer
Response:#240 Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
*Hymn #803: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
Benediction
Response: # 240 Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
Postlude: Musical Reprise
(* 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!
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.
A special welcome to our guest preacher,
the Rev. Dr. D. Elizabeth “Betsey” Mauro, who was ordained in 1987 and served churches in Colebrook, Connecticut and Rockland, Maine. She earned her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary, focusing on clergy ethics. Until 2015, she worked as Dean of the Center for Congregational Leadership, a joint ministry of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. She served on the faculty of the college teaching religion and ethics. Having grown up in this area, Betsey and her husband, Paul, returned home to be closer to family. She now is the Executive Director of Women’s Support Services in Sharon, Connecticut, whose mission is to create a community free of domestic violence and abuse through intervention, prevention and education.
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:
John Estabrookfor serving as our lay reader
Sal Accardo & Michael Kathy Merafor serving as ushers
Prayer List
Dale Sapp, 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, Tom Splaine, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard, Pauline, Friends & Family of: Gail Weigel, Elizabeth Adam, Dan Cunningham & Alain.
CALENDAR
Monday: Office Closed ~ Memorial Day
1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Tuesday: 6 pm Parish Hall in use
Next Sunday: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
OPPORTUNITIES
SILVER LAKE
On Sunday, June 16, we will commission 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.