May 14, 2017
Fifth Sunday of Easter
10:00 a.m.
Prelude: Prayer for Humanity Linda Lamb
Enduring Joy Cynthia Dobrinski
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #307 God of Grace and God of Glory
Recognition of Pastor Diane’s Graduation
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Come Christians, Join to Sing
Call to Worship
One: Gaze into heaven and see the glory of God.
Lift up your eyes to behold the risen Christ.
All: God is our rock of refuge, a strong fortress.
Christ leads us and guides us every day.
One: Indeed, you have tasted the goodness of God.
You have known the presence of Christ, God’s chosen one.
All: Every day we long for pure spiritual milk.
Each day, we are inspired by the living Christ.
One: Then let us lay our troubles at Christ’s feet.
Let us enter the sanctuary God prepares for us.
All: We have come to find the way, the truth, and the
life. We are here to ask and receive and to serve.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Open your heavens to us, God of all worlds. We long for the pure spiritual milk you provide so we may grow into salvation. We are your people, sisters and brothers of your Chosen One. Let us this day be built into a spiritual house, a community of your faithful people. Keep us from judging those whose views differ from our own, or from throwing stones at those with whom we disagree. Incline your ear to us and rescue us from ourselves, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(* Please stand if able.)
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
We confess that sometimes we have covered our ears so we cannot hear your word of judgment, holy God. We seek to isolate ourselves from a world in pain. We become enemies and persecutors of Christ, who identified with poor, needy, and oppressed people. We reject the One you sent as the way, the truth, and the life. We do not pray, as Jesus prayed, trusting that you hear and respond. O God, deliver us from ourselves. Hear us now as we turn to you with our silent confessions, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of silent prayer
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 31: 1-5, 15-16
(Page 622 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Early Church– Acts 7: 55-60
(Page 153 NT in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children leave for Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #250 In the Bulb There Is a Flower
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Above All Else Joel Raney
*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
Gospel Reading – John 14: 1-14
(Page 132 in the pew bible)
Sermon: “The Way, the Truth and the Life”
Reverend Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer
Bell Choir Response: Hymn of Promise
arr. Martha Lynn Thompson
*Hymn: #645 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
Benediction
Response: What Does The Lord Require of You?
Postlude: A Jubilant Rhondo Cynthia Dobrinski
(Please remain seated for the postlude)
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.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
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 Sarah Rydingsword.
The offertory anthem was written in honor of the Rev. Dr. Richard Reifsnyder for his 21 years of loving service as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Winchester, Virginia.
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:
Mary O’Neill for serving as lay reader
Kathy Mera & Sal Accardo for ushering
Prayer List
Ransom Larson, Emma Mae, Leonard Kaufman, Paul McAbee, Shirley Rogers, Jane Fitting, Nancy Tuckerman, Barbara Jacquette, Gloria Buckley, Petie Robinson, Gay Ayers, Sosnoff Family, Wilma Tillerman, Alex, John, Will, Nina, Jack and Linda, Tully family, those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: Bells perform during Worship
2 pm PTU Lecture ~ Parish Hall
3 pm PTU Concert ~ Meeting House
Monday: 6 pm Debtors Anonymous Meeting in the Parish Hall Library
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics Rehearsal
Friday: 4 – 5 pm Children’s Musical Rehearsal
Saturday: 9 – 10:30 am Children’s Musical Rehearsal
Next Sunday 8:30 – 9 am Children’s Musical Rehearsal
10 am Children’s Musical ~“God’s Family Tree”
11:30 am Church Council Meeting
OPPORTUNITIES
PEACE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING SERIES
You are invited to our Peace through Understanding Series this afternoon ~ Welcoming Our LGBTQ Friends. The dialogue will begin at 2 pm in the Parish Hall with Reverend Aaron Miller, Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church, followed by a performance at 3 pm in the Meetinghouse by the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus. Admission is free.
CREATED BY GOD
CALLED BY JESUS CHRIST
GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
DEDICATED TO LOVING AND SERVING GOD AND NEIGHBOR
The Reverend Diane Monti – Catania, Pastor