WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE      “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation”    Anna Laura Page                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 47

Leader:  Clap your hands, all you peoples;

Shout to God with a cry of joy.

People:  Sing praises to God, sing praises; 

Sing praises to our Sovereign, sing praises. 

Leader:  For God is Sovereign over all the earth;

Sing praises with all your skill.

People: God reigns over the nations; 

God sits upon heaven’s holy throne.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 260              Alleluia! Sing to Jesus 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                         

God of grace and God of glory, you have clothed us with power from on high.  Christ, who is risen and ascended, has opened our minds to understand you and our hearts to know the hope to which you call us.  Still, we feel helpless in the face of sin, paralyzed by evil’s sway in the world, unsure of your power to redeem what seems lost.  Convict us of our doubt, convince us of our heritage, and renew us, O God, in your wisdom, mercy, and power...

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS – John 3: 17, 18a

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned. The good news therefore is this: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI         “Glory Be to the Father”          #581 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11  

SERMON                  “Ascended to Reign”       Rev. Barrett Ingram 

*HYMN 363              Rejoice, the Lord Is King!   

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

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM        “How Firm a Foundation”

                                                                                   Larry Shackley

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 265   Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun  

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE               “How Firm a Foundation”             Dale Wood

                        *Those who are able are invited to stand.