April 2, 2017
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Prelude: We Pray Now To The Holy Ghost D.Buxtehude
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #306 Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Everytime I Feel The Spirit
Call to Worship
One: Come, chosen people of faith, to receive God’s provisions!
All: We come, awaiting God’s goodness.
One: Come, chosen people of faith, to seek solace for our sorrow!
All: We come, formed by God’s refreshing and unconditional love.
One: Come, chosen people of faith, to declare praise to our God!
All: We come, to worship the God who is doing a new thing in this world.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God, of extravagant love, sometimes it is too
overwhelming, too wonderful to grasp – this love of
yours. As we worship this morning, open your souls
wide – that every word spoken, and every note sung will
form and reform us as your people. As we drink in your
abundant love, enable us to be conduits of this gracious
love to all the world. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
O God of laughter and tears, we come in this Lenten season weighed down by the past. Sometimes we feel trapped by past actions, past beliefs. We feel as if we are wandering in a desert, carrying burdens, losing our way. Sometimes we hold fast to this past, hold fast to our prejudices and our fears. We criticize, we judge, we despair, we doubt our ability to change. Break open our hearts, pour in your transforming and renewing love. Keep our eyes on the prize – new life in you. Hear now our silent confessions as we turn to you seeking mercy, forgiveness and grace. Amen.
Moment of Silence
Assurance of God’s Love
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 130
(Page 705 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scripture –
Ezekiel 37:1-14
(Page 987 HS in the pew bible)
*Hymn: #286 Breathe On Me, Breath of God
Service of Covenant
Invitation: We invite the following people to come forward to enter into covenant with our congregation:
Kurt Colling Erin Cronk
Becky Feen Abby Gackenheimer
Joanne Hayhurst Aaron Holst-Grubbe
Linda Holst-Grubbe Stephanie Holst-Grubbe
Jennifer Tyo Joan Wallace
Pastor: By your baptism you were made one with us in the body of Christ, the church. Today we rejoice in your pilgrimage of faith which has brought you to this time and place. We celebrate your presence here. Let us pray.
Eternal God, we praise you for calling us to be your servant people and for gathering us into the body of Christ. We thank you for sending to us these individuals that we may work together in serving the needs of others. Confirm in us the power of your covenant that we may live in your Spirit, share regularly in worship, and so love each other that we may have among us the same mind which was in Christ Jesus.
All: Amen
Pastor: Let us renew our covenant vows together:
All: We covenant with God and with one another to walk in God’s holy ways.
We unite for the worship of God
and for the continued striving to know and to do God’s will
and for the service of God and humanity.
We acknowledge this Church
to be part of all those in every age and nation
who are united by the Holy Spirit of God in Christ,
and we dedicate ourselves to serve this fellowship
according to our strength, ability and opportunity.
Amen.
Deacon: Let us, the members of the Congregational Church of Salisbury, United Church of Christ express our welcome to our newest covenant partners.
Congregation: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.
Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty God, who in baptism received these your servants into the church, forgave their sins and promised them eternal life, increase in them the gifts of your Holy Spirit. Grant love for others, joy in serving you, peace in disagreement, patience in suffering, kindness toward all people, goodness in evil times, faithfulness in temptation, gentleness in the face of opposition, self-control in all things. Thereby strengthen them for the ministry in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Deacon: In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the Congregational Church of Salisbury, we extend to you the hand of Christian love, welcoming you into the company of this local church.
Each person is greeted.
*Hymn: #507 Come to the Table of Grace (verses 1& 2)
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic juice.
Communion Prayer
Gracious God, you have once again shown us your love by bringing us to this meal. We go from this table, renewed in faith, renewed in courage, and strengthened by your presence. Thank you for loving us so tenderly. Thank you for challenging us to know you better and to receive you more fully. It is in Christ’s name that we pray. Amen.
(Children leave for Sunday School and Youth
Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #507 Come to the Table of Grace (verses 5)
Offering of Gifts
Anthem: Come In Love and Adoration Anton Bruckner
*Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
New Testament Reading – John 11:1-45
(Page 127 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Breathe on me, breath of God”
Reverend Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer, Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn: #517 Here O Our Lord I See Thee Face to Face
Benediction
Response: Everytime I Feel the Spirit
Postlude: Toccata in G Major William Pachelbel
(* Please stand if able)
If you are visiting us today, Welcome! Please sign the guestbook at the front door and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons.
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Our host today is Cynthia LaPier.
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 lay reader
Bob Weber & John Arnold for ushering
Prayer List
Emma Mae, Leonard Kaufman, Laura Flores, Margie Vail, Gordon Weekly, Paul McAbee, Shirley Rogers, Jane Fitting, Nancy Tuckerman, Barbara Jacquette, Gloria Buckley, Petie Robinson, Gay Ayers, The Sosnoff Family, Wilma Tillerman, Will, Schaper family; family and friends of Walter Crain
CALL TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
The 270th Annual Meeting, Part II, of the Congregational Church of Salisbury will be held following the worship service on Sunday, April 23, 2017 for the purpose of:
- Presentation of Reports from the Boards and
Committees
- The Nominating Committee’s Report
- The Election of Officers and Committees