Sunday Worship

Prelude 

 

Greetings
 

*Call to Worship  Psalm 116 

I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. 

I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. 

Praise the Lord!             
 

*Hymn of Welcome #228.        O Thou, My Soul, Return in Peace

Opening Prayer (unison) 

Living God, you are the fire that burns within us. You open our hearts to your presence, revealed in word and song, in hospitality and friendship, in sacrament and presence. Open our minds so that we may recognize you when you meet us in unexpected moments. Let us encounter you in every part of worship that we might know you and love you more than before we gathered. And may that love burn brightly like the sun, to inspire us to go on with renewed hope and spirit. Amen. 

 

Reading from Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 

Merciful God, even as we proclaim the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we fail to see the living Christ in our midst. We find ourselves preoccupied with our own well-being and success, forgetting your imperative to love our neighbor as ourselves. Show us again how to live out our faith, a faith that sees life and hope in the midst of death and destruction. Transform our hearts so that where they are hardened toward you, neighbor, and self, they may once again be filled with love and moved to actions of grace and mercy. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon 

*Gloria Patri #579                 Glory Be to the Father 

 

*Passing of the Peace of Christ 

Prayer for Illumination  

Holy Creator, reveal yourself to us in the reading and proclamation of your Word. Give us ears to hear your voice, eyes that see you among us, and hearts that are willing to follow where you lead. In the name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings                Acts 2:14a, 36-41  and Luke 24:13-35

The Word of the Lord 

Hymn of Response #126                   Come Holy Spirit Heavenly Dove

 

*Affirmation of Faith                     The Apostles’ Creed, p.14 Blue Hymnal 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, 
creator of heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen. 

*Call for the Offering   

*Doxology #815              Doxology 

*Prayer of Dedication (unison) 

Lord, we know that every good and perfect gift comes from you. We pray that the gifts of time, talent, and treasure we have offered today will work for the good of the world, so that your love will be known not just in word but in action. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen. 

Prayers of the People 

The Lord’s Prayer *p16, Blue Hymnal                       Traditional Prayer 

*Hymn of Sending #404                  Precious Lord take My Hand 

 

*Charge and Benediction           

 

*Response to the Benediction #358              Because He Lives, refrain 

*Postlude