May 5, 2019
Third Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Grave from Sonata II Felix Mendelssohn
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
*Hymn: #248 Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
Joys and Concerns | Silent Prayer
Introit: Jesus Stand Among Us
Call to Worship
One: Now is the time for praise,
for singing the good news of God:
Many: who awakens us with dawn’s embrace,
who surrounds us with joy and life.
Now is the time to offer praise to God,
in every place, with every voice:
to rejoice in the One who leads us through each moment with a loving hand and a word of hope.
Now is the time to join all creation in extolling God, from the depths of the sea to the farthest galaxies:
We will sing the good news of Easter;
We will rejoice in the God who loves us!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Come to us as light from heaven, Sovereign God. Pierce the shadows of doubt and despair, anger and scorn, that we allow to rule in our lives. Turn us from ways that deny your rule in us. Awaken us from dull routines to worship that is alive with awe and wonder, spontaneity, and joy. Surprise us with a presence that quickens our hearts, a summons that enlivens our spirits, a mission that claims our lives. We gather by the love of Christ, that we may feed others as we have been fed. Amen.
Call to Confession
Unison of Confession
Loving God, we admit to attitudes that exclude rather than embrace. We prefer to associate with others who think and act as we do. We turn away from those who are different from us. We identify some as enemies to be avoided or even destroyed. Forgive us, God, for placing our limits on your family. Awaken us to the the narrowness of our dealings and to your ever-expanding grace. Show us the better ways you intend and make us bold to respond. We ask in Jesus’ name: 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 30
One: I will acclaim You, O Holy One,
For You have pulled me up from the pit,
Many: And did not let my enemies gloat over me.
O God, my God, I cried out to You for help,
And You healed me.
O Loving One, You brought me up from the grave,
You restored me to life from the realm of the dead.
Sing praises to the Holy One, O you who are faithful,
And give thanks to the God who is Life.
Who seems to forsake us but for a moment;
Whose favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
But joy comes as surely as the morning.
When I lived untroubled, I declared,
“I shall never be distressed.”
Your face beamed upon me an abundance of gifts,
And I stood firm as a mighty mountain.
When I lost sight of Your face, I was terrified.
I called to You, O God, and to You I made my appeal:
“What good will come from my destruction,
From my going down to the land of the dead?
Can the dust remember You?
Can it tell of Your faithfulness?
Hear me, O God, and be gracious to me!
O God Most High, be my help!”
You turned my lament into dancing;
You undid my clothes of mourning,
And wrapped me with joy,
So that my soul may sing praises to You
And not be silent.
O God my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-6
(Pg. 154 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
*Hymn: #511 Come, Behold! the Feast of Heaven (vv. 1 & 2)
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
In this time of looking back, O Lord, we are more prepared to look forward. In remembering all you have done for us, we are better able to look to the future. We give thanks that your mercy has revived and encouraged us that we might go forward in love and forgiveness. For this time of renewal and hope, we give you our humble praise. Amen.
*Hymn: #511 Come, Behold! the Feast of Heaven (vv. 3 & 4)
(Children may leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth
Theodore Chletsos, Tenor F. Mendelssohn
*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 20:19-31
(Pg. 141 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: “The First Breakfast” Pastor John Nelson
Pastoral Prayer| Silent Prayer | Lord’s Prayer
Response: Breathe the Holy Spirit into Every Heart
*Hymn: #233 The Day of Resurrection!
Benediction
Response: Thus With Quickened Footsteps
Postlude: Fugue in C from Sonata II F. Mendelssohn
(* 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!
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s hosts are Becky Belcher Feen & Susie Belcher.
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
Prayer List
Bill Kellett, Marty Finkle, Sean Clegg, Bolton Hull, Jean Gallup, 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, Joe Scotto, Elizabeth Adam, Dan Cunningham & Alain
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
3 pm Elijiah Concert
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Tuesday: 5 pm SOAR Cooking Class
5:30 pm Bell Coir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 9 am Staff Meeting
9 am Music Committee Meeting
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4 pm Bell Choir Performs at
Noble Horizons
7 pm Bell Choir Performs at
Geer Village
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study