Prelude
Greetings
Call to Worship
We are God's household, crafted by the Architect of creation:
our hearts a shelter for the outcast; our hands open to the stranger.
We are God's people, created in the divine image:
to tell others of God's love, to offer mercy as freely as we have received it.
We are God's children, called to give of ourselves:
chosen to serve the lost and lonely, gifted to minister to a hurting world.
Hymn of Welcome #302 I Danced in the Morning
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Opening Prayer (unison)
Our Way: you call us to celebrate your peace in a world which worships war; to celebrate your freedom in the face of oppression; to celebrate the seed of faith planted in the doubts of our hearts.
Our Life: you would have us celebrate the safe ground of hope emerging from the flood of our tears; celebrate those who love us in the midst of hurt and hatred; celebrate our salvation as we struggle with sin.
Our Truth: you teach us to celebrate our new life in the gift of the Risen Lord; to celebrate the grace of your heart which melts our fears; to celebrate that all our moments are cradled in your hands.
Our Way, our Truth, our Life, we lift our prayers to you. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (unison)
Hear the brokenness of our lives, O God. We cover our ears, so we don’t hear those in need. We rush to defend every issue that matters to us, but run when you call us to be your holy people. We cheer on our sports teams, but we only whisper when sharing the good news. Forgive us, Eternal Guide, and do not hold our sin against us. We lay our foolishness at your feet. Fill us with grace and hope. We need the food which comes from your Table, that we might be strong enough to follow Jesus as he leads us in the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Assurance of Pardon
Gloria Patri #579 Glory Be to the Father
Call for the Offering
Doxology #815 Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
We offer our gifts so that others may not feel alone, eat alone, live alone, be alone, but that they may be surrounded by your grace and love through us and the lives we offer to them. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Passing of the Peace of Christ
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, and 1 Peter 2:2-10
Scripture Response
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Destinations Rev. Tony DeLucia
Hymn of Response #420 God of Grace and God of Glory
Communion Litany
Invitation To the Lord’s Table
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of every way be with you.
And also with you.
Lift your hearts to the One who is the Truth for God's own people.
We offer them to the One who warms them with love.
Sing praises to God, who is our Life.
Glad songs are offered to the One who provides shelter for us.
You made a way through chaos, Constructing God, the Word echoing on mountaintops and whispering in valleys; the Spirit teaching songs to the stars, and breathing life into those created in your image as your precious children. You longed to cradle us in your lap, breastfeeding us with grace and hope, but we slipped out of your grasp, covering our ears as you called usto come back home to you. Prophets came to remind us that you would not put us to shame, psalmists sang to us of your longing to cut the net of sin and death and set us free, but, together, we rushed into the open arms of temptation. Then you sent Jesus, so that in knowing and believing in him, we would know and believe in you. With those who have nothing and with those who give everything away, we lift our voices to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you, God who pulls us to safety.
All creation kneels down to worship you.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who shows us the Truth.
Hosanna in the highest!
You shape a safe place for us, Imaginative God, and send your Child, Jesus, to show us the Way. Born a tiny baby as we are, he shows us how to grow into your people. The cornerstone of your kingdom, he uses us to build a spiritual home for all. Committing his spirit to you, he entered the emptiness of death, so we might stand on the solid ground of the resurrected life.
Even as we celebrate the Life which was his, as we claim the Truth that all are one with you, we take refuge in that mystery called faith:
Christ died, trusting in God's promises;
God raised him from the dead, promising the same for us;
Christ will come, fulfilling all the promises of God.
Once, we were nobodies, alone and hopeless, but by your mercy, Living God, we are now a family, gathered in your love around this Table, where the Spirit sanctifies the bread and cup. You lean over to serve us the bread, enveloping us in your grace so we might go to be your people. You offer to us the cup of hope, which can heal our troubled hearts and strengthen us to serve our world.
Prayers of Intercession
And when the Way leads us home to you, when your Life gathers us with our siblings around the Table which is prepared by your Truth, we will sing glad songs of praise to you forever, God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Breaking Of the Bread
Prayer After Communion
Gracious God, may we who have received this sacrament live in the unity of your Holy Spirit, that we may show forth your gifts to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
*Hymn of Sending #538 Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
*Charge and Benediction
*Response to the Benediction #358 Because He Lives, refrain
*Postlude
May Birthdays
Chad Roberts, 5/15
Larry Roberts, 5/28
Jeanne Roberts, 5/29
Anniversaries
Brent and Kim McPherson, 5/15
Bob and Shelly Reed, 5/28 - 50th Anniversary
Let us know when we can celebrate your Birthday/Anniversary with you!!
Upcoming Events:
Communion - May 3, 2026
Coffee Hour after Worship - May 10, 2026
Bible Study - May 13, 2026, Wednesday at 7:30 pm, in-person, via zoo, or phone in
Bible Study - May 27, 2026, Wednesday at 7:30 pm, in-person, via zoo, or phone in
Newell Community Dinner - May 30, 2026, Saturday from 3p to 5pm at American Legion in Newell with: Pulled pork sandwich, Baked beans, Coleslaw and Dessert
Prayer Requests of the Congregation
Wider Church