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Prelude 

Greetings & Welcome

Opening Scripture    Acts 1:6-14

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of[a] James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Call To Worship (Responsive)

We gather today in the holy in-between - between Ascension and Pentecost, between what has happened and what is yet to come.
We are not abandoned. We are not alone.
Jesus Christ has prayed for us: "Holy Father, protect them in your name, so that they may be one, as we are one."
We are held in the very prayer of Jesus.
Like the disciples gathered in that upper room, we come together - waiting, watching, trusting.
We come as one people, held by one God.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth!
We lift our voices and our hearts to the One who goes before us!

Hymn of Welcome #485     To God Be the Glory 

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

1     Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered;
let those who hate him flee before him.
2     As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
as wax melts before the fire,
let the wicked perish before God.
3     But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy.
4     Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides upon the cloudsa—
his name is the Lord—
be exultant before him.
5     Father of orphans and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6     God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious live in a parched land.
7     O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,      Selah
8     the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9     Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;
you restored your heritage when it languished;
10   your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.[1]
32   Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33   O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34   Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel;
and whose power is in the skies.
35   Awesome is God in hisj sanctuary,
the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God! [2]

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Living God, we come to you as people caught between what has been and what is yet to come. Jesus has risen, Christ has ascended, and we wait for the promised Spirit, trusting that you have not left us as orphans. Gather us now in this time of worship, that we may hear your voice, feel your presence, and find the courage to wait well and live faithfully. In the name of Jesus Christ, who even now prays for us. Amen.

Call To Confession

Prayer Of Confession (Unison)

Holy God, you have prayed for our unity, and we have chosen division. You have called us into community, and we have retreated into ourselves. You have promised to bear our anxieties on your broad shoulders, and we have gathered them back, hoarding our worry like currency. We have not believed that you truly care for us. We have not trusted in your steadfast love enough to love others. Forgive us, gracious God. Restore us to the wholeness you intend, that we may be the answer to the prayer of Jesus: that we may be one, and that the world may know. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Assurance Of Pardon

*Gloria Patri

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.

*Passing of the Peace

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Prayer Of Illumination (Unison)

God of the living Word, you spoke creation into being, and you speak still: through scripture, through sermon, through this gathered community. Open our ears to hear what you are saying to us today. Loosen our grip on what we expect and help us receive what you intend. May your Word find a home in us, and may we be made new by it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Scripture        1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 &  John 17:1-11

1 Peter 4:12-14

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory,e which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.f[3]

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert.d Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisterse in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.[4]

John 17:1-11

17 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people,a to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

6 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.[5]

Sermon           Held

Hymn of Response #144     Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!

Affirmation of Faith (from A Brief Statement of Faith)

In a broken and fearful world
the Spirit gives us courage
to pray without ceasing,
to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,
to unmask idolatries in Church and culture,
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,
we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks
and to live holy and joyful lives,
even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth,
praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death
can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Call For the Offering

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer Of Dedication (Unison)

We offer these gifts, O God, from hands that have received everything from yours.

Take what we give - our money, our time, our trust - and multiply it for the life of the world, as only you can do. May these offerings build your kingdom, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and extend the prayer of Jesus outward to every corner of your creation. Amen.

Prayers Of the People & the Lord’s Prayer

Hymn of Sending #142         All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!

Charge & Benediction

Response to the Benediction #358 (Red Hymal)   Because He Lives, refrain

Postlude

a Or cast up a highway for him who rides through the deserts

[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Ps 68:1–10.

j Gk: Heb from your

[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Ps 68:32–35.

e Other ancient authorities add and of power

f Other ancient authorities add On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified

[3] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 1 Pe 4:12–14.

d Or be vigilant

e Gk your brotherhood

[4] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 1 Pe 5:6–11.

a Gk flesh

[5] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Jn 17:1–11.

 

Prayer Requests of the Congregation

  • Sam Monte and family
  • Dave Lyons for healing and strength
  • Christina Todd - prayers for strength 
  • Damon Indez - prayers for him in Kuwait, and those in uniform in the Middle East.
  • Donnamalay Davis - may she rest in peace
  • Eliana - recovers from heart surgery
  • Fred - going through treatment
  • Jeanie - healing and strength
  • Jimmy - Peggy’s son-in-law, continuing prays
  • Johnny - diagnosed with terminal illness
  • Marge and family -  guidance and strength
  • Rev. Matt Camlin - fighting MS
  • Vicky - prayers for positive medical diagnosis
  • Zach - prayers that he continues to do well with cancer Tx
  • Hocking County School bus accident - prayers for driver and student safety
  • Prayers for a safe and happy end to the school year
  • All affected by the storms of nature and of life, especially by the paths of floods and other natural disasters.
  • Prayers for the people of Iran, Israel, and US Servicemen and Women being sent into the latest conflict.

 

Wider Church

  • • Pat Kitchen - started chemo
  • • Schemonitz family - the lost of a young wife and mother
  • • Kevin Miller - suffered a stoke
  • • Brittani Clark - patience and strength
  • •To all who pray and feel their prayer goes unanswered. May they know God hears them, and the Church prays for them and continues to love them.