WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION
PRELUDE “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” arr. A. L. Page
*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 148
Leader: Praise the Lord! Sing to God a new song.
People: May God’s praise be heard
in the assembly of the faithful.
Leader: Let the faithful exult in glory, let them sing for joy!
People: Let us praise God’s name with dancing,
making melody to God with tambourine and lyre.
Praise the Lord!
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN 305 “Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God,
we confess the blindness that is not even aware of sinning;
the pride that dares not admit that it is wrong;
the selfishness that can see nothing but its own will;
the righteousness that knows no fault;
the callousness that has ceased to care;
the defiance that does not regret its own sins;
the evasion that always tries to make excuses;
the coldness of heart that is too hardened to repent.
God, we are sinners; be merciful to us…
Silent Prayers of confession
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God makes all things new. (Rev. 21:5) Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old has passed away; everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Friends, believe the gospel: in Jesus Christ we are loved, we are blessed, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #581
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Acts 11:1-18
SERMON “The Reach of Love” Rev. Barrett Ingram
*HYMN 288 “Spirit of the Living God”
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed Page 35
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY ANTHEM “A Prayer for Our Time” J. Martin
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
*PRAYER FOR THE NATION – Hymn 337, Stanza 4
Our fathers’ God, to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
*HYMN 331 “God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand”
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE “Fanfare” Nicholas J. Lemmens
*Those who are able are invited to stand.