A SERVICE OF WORSHIP FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Fourth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 2020

LITANY FOR EASTER (Book of Common Worship, pps. 316-317)

Leader: O Christ, after your resurrection you appeared to your disciples; you breathed on them,

that they might receive the Holy Spirit. You gave joy and exultation to the whole creation.

Through your victory, we pray to you:

Congregation: Hear us, Lord of glory.

Leader: O Christ, after your resurrection you sent out your disciples to teach all nations and to

baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; you

promised to be with them and us until the end of the world. Through your victory, we

pray to you:

Congregation: Hear us, Lord of glory.

Leader: O Christ, through your resurrection you lifted us up, and filled us with rejoicing.

Through your salvation you enrich us with your gifts. Renew our lives and fill our hearts

with joy. Through your victory, we pray to you:

Congregation: Hear us, Lord of glory.

Leader: O Christ, you are glorified by angels in heaven, and worshiped on earth. On the glorious

feast of your resurrection, we pray to you:

Congregation: Hear us, Lord of glory.

Leader: Save us, O Christ our Lord, in your goodness, extend your mercy to your people who

await the resurrection, and have mercy on us.

Congregation: Hear us, Lord of glory.

Leader: O merciful God, you raised your beloved Son, and in your love you established him as

head of your church, and ruler of the universe. By your goodness we pray:

Congregation: Hear us, Lord of glory.

*HYMN “Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us” #387

CALL TO CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p. 52) 1 John 1:8, 9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Book of Common Worship, p.88)

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Silent Prayers of confession

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Book of Common Worship, p. 56)

Leader: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of

Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins,

strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

Congregation: Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” #579

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

Lord of light who shines into our lives with your holy word. Open our minds and our hearts that your Word may speak to us and your Holy Spirit may inspire us to be your people, today and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Psalm 23

*HYMN “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” #172

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: I John 3: 16-24

SERMON: “Love In Action” Rev. David McDonald

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his

only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the

third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the

dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the

forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*”catholic” (little c) is translated as “universal” and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing” #538

‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’

Numbers 6:24-26 (Living Bible)

Let us continue to remember those on our Prayer List:

Marguerite Hufham, Sarah Melvin, Louise Quick, Ronnie Rush,

Juanita McGraw, Betty Johnson, Jane Minard, Bill Jackson,

Darrel Melvin, Happy Lashlee, Gerry Carey, Becky Regan,

John and Mary Ward, Tim Tart, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson,

Johnny Gooden, Carlis Smith, Bill Marsh Madeline NcNeill Long,

Shannon Wilcox, Polly Miller Kathy Lashley Clara Wooten Hunsucker, Ernest Ray Long Esther Collier, Jo Campbell, Linda Smith,

Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram Ted Johnson Doris Pait Skipper

Bill Greene, Jamie Clark, Judy Elkins Susan and David Butler, Richard Bridgers, Tim Crowder, Jimmy Hickman Dennis Mize,

Bob Nelson, Allison Ward, Holly Eppley, Jeneen Lee, Betty Faircloth, Joan McKeithan, Elizabeth Hall

THE SESSION

Julie Cox...…….…….Clerk & Contact Person for Church Membership

2020……..Julie Cox………………Bill Jackson………………..Pat Meshaw

2021…….Greg Brown……………Musette Hoefer……………..Dan Ward

2022…….Stewart Clark…………...Terri Duncan…... Lawrence McDougald