May 13, 2018
Ascension Sunday
Bell Choir Prelude: Hymn of Promise
Prayer for Humanity
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #263 All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: Jazz Duo Ben Chen and Robert Lou
Call to Worship Myles Crain
One: Come together expecting great things,
wait for the promises of God.
All: Is this the time when God will come to reign?
Will we receive power and authority?
One: In God’s time, the Holy Spirit will come to you.
You will be empowered as faithful witnesses.
All: We are here to learn about all that Jesus did.
We are ready to listen to all that Jesus taught.
One: Clap your hands; all you peoples;
Sing praises to God, sing praises.
All: God is ruler all over the earth.
We seek to experience God’s rule in our lives.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison) Molly Metcalf
Appear to us again, risen Savior, for we have lost sight of you. We have come to find you here so we may recognize you among all who suffer. We seek wisdom and revelation to cope with the confusion we face every day amid competing claims. We are here to remember the authority which you spoke so we may walk amid the rulers of our day, speaking in Christ’s name. We who seek to be your body, the church, need the eyes of our hearts enlightened so we may once more embrace hope and know your joy. Amen.
Call to Confession Rosie Oberto
If the people of Galilee spent too much time looking up toward heaven, perhaps our problem is that we spend too little. In our busyness, we do not examine our lives. Are we about God’s business? Let us confess together the way things are between ourselves and God.
Prayer of Confession (in unison) Rosie Oberto
O God, it is hard for us to wait for anything. We want instant answers and immediate gratification of our desires. We are more acquisitive than grateful. We forget the amazing riches of your gifts to us and only want more. We do not take time simply to enjoy being in your presence, singing your praises, delighting in your love. Forgive us for our arrogant, selfish pride, and our neglect of values and relationships that would supply all we really need. 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 Rosie Oberto
Forgiveness is yours to receive and to proclaim to all nations. The power of God at work in Christ is offered to us: the power of love to make a difference among us. Let us give thanks that we are restored as sons and daughters of the Living God who promises to us the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let us sing praise to God!
Gloria Patri: #581 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, Amen.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 47 Leighton Smith
(Page 637 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from Early Church – Acts 1:1-11 Tony Good
(Page 143 NT in the pew bible)
Rite of Confirmation of Landon Good
Invitation: We invite Landon Good and his parents to come forward to affirm his baptism by being confirmed.
Pastor’s Introduction
Questions of the Candidate
Pastor: Landon, do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Candidate: I do.
Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?
Candidate: I do.
Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Candidate: I do.
Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and the word of Jesus Christ as best as you are able?
Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.
Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?
Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.
Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?
Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.
Pastor’s Prayer
Act of Confirmation (parents & pastor place hands on Landon)
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 in this household of faith.
Welcome
Pastor: Let us, the members of the Salisbury Congregational Church, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.
All: We promise you our continuing 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.
Greeting of Christian Love and Blessing
Prayer of St. Francis~Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace arr. Kevin McChesney
Mary Davidson, director
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: #273 He Is King of Kings arr. Melva Costen
*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
Scripture Reading – Luke 24:44-53 Erin Swett
(Page 111 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Inspired by Miracles”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer, Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response: #267 Come Lift Your Hearts On High
*Hymn: #268 Crown Him With Many Crowns
Benediction
Response & Postlude: Jazz Duo
(* Please stand if able.)
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. Today’s hosts are the Youth Discussion Group & John & Linda Estabrook.
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:
Myles Crane, Molly Metcalf, Rosie Oberto, Leighton Smith, Erin Swett and Tony Good for serving as readers
Thanks to: Ben Chen and Robert Lou, students at Salisbury School, for enhancing our service with special jazz music.
Prayer List
Bob “Bullet” Sherwood, Jeff Krock, Ron Ham, Sandra Schafer, Mary O’Neill, Laura Hawks, Debbie Merwin, Jessica Whelton, Keith Grant, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Gail Weigel, Paula & Herman Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Peter, Connie, Cheryl and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction
CALENDAR
Today: 11 am Mural Painting
11:30 am Christian Action Meeting
Monday: 3:30 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Tuesday: 3:15 pm SOAR Cooking Class
Thursday: 5:30 pm Deacons’ Meeting
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 4 pm Children’s Musical Rehearsal
Saturday: 9 am Children’s Musical Rehearsal
10 am Bell Choir Perform at theTown Grove
Sunday: 10 am Children’s Musical ~The Fruit of the Spirit
11:30 am Church Council Meeting
3:30-6:30 pm Community Dinner in Torrington