WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE                     “All Are Welcome”                        David Lasky

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 31

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame.

Incline your ear to me, rescue me speedily.  Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.

You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 305              Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!   

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                         

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, your face is hidden from us by our sins, and we forget your mercy in the blindness of our hearts.  Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires.  With lowliness and meekness may we draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son…

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS 

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you might proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2: 9,10).
Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI         “Glory Be to the Father”          #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. 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:1-10

SERMON          “Living Stones”                Rev. Barrett Ingram 

Text: “Come to him, the living Stone…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…” (1 Peter 2:4, 5)

*HYMN 310              I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord  

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH    The Apostles’ Creed     hymnal, pg. 35

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM  “Praise God! Sing All Ye Heavens”

                                                                                      Hal Hopson 

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*EASTER DOXOLOGY 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 

Praise Him, all creatures here below: alleluia, alleluia! 

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;             

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 321              The Church’s One Foundation  

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE                    “Recessional”                Owain Edwards

                        *Those who are able are invited to stand.