May 9, 2010
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 AM
The Sixth Sunday of Easter – Mother’s Day

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love
to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship in the Social Hall.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE PRELUDE How Can I Keep From Singing setting by Hollinger

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP* Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.

Minister: The spirit of God calls us from many places;
Pulpit Side: some of us come from busy homes with many people
Lectern Side: some of us live alone.
ALL: We are a part of the family.
Minister: This week has been different for each of us;
Pulpit Side: some of us have had happy news we want to celebrate
Lectern Side: some of us have faced grief and need to cry.
ALL: We are members of God’s family.
Minister: Yet we all come to this same place;
Pulpit Side: all of us seeking God’s presence in our lives
Lectern Side: all of us seeking God’s presence with each other.
ALL: Together we become God’s family.

*HYMN 48 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION** and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

In you, O God, every family on earth receives its name. Illumine the homes of this earth with the light of your love, granting courage to those who are hurt or lonely, endurance to those in fearful times of change. We thank you for gifts of love we have received from mother, father, spouse, child, or companion. As we have been loved by you and by others, so may we love. Grant us your peace through Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray:

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.

*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)

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.

THE EPISTLE LESSON Acts 16:9-15 Bible, page 1009 Children’s Bible, page 1576

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, M.S., M.F.T.

THE PSALMODY (Responsive) Psalm 67 sung to Hydryfol

God of mercy and compassion, In the wisdom of God’s justice
Lord of love, redeeming grace; Righteousness shall conquer scorn;

Let the brightness of Your glory On God’s head, the crown of nations;
Shine upon us in this place. In God’s heart, a crown of thorns.

Show all nations Your salvation,
End our dark, long-suff’ring days; Come, Almighty, now and bless us,

Cause our hearts with joy to greet You; Your great covenant renew;
Fill the earth with songs of praise! May creation yield its increase,

Find its greatest gift in You.

Sing with joy, the Lord is coming! Ev’ry tongue shall call You blessed,
God with us, Immanuel, Ev’ry voice a welcome bring

Brings in triumph our salvation, To the Word of God incarnate;
Death shall die, and life prevail. Earth shall bow, and heaven sing!

MUSICAL OFFERINGS

Glory to God Reynolds
Two Songs of Love:
The Season of Questions Is Over Lovelace
How Precious is Thy Steadfast Love, Oh God Nelson

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 14:23-29 Bible, page 983 Children’s Bible, page 1538

THE REFLECTION “All You Need is Love” Dr. Peay

MUSICAL OFFERINGS

How Can I Keep From Singing Kirsten Ertl, Viola
arr. Ellingboe
A Festive Psalm Martin

THE PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS OF FAMILIES

Minister: God of all birthing, God of all living, God of all dying, grant these blessings and hear our prayers. We pray for our families–in all their complex and wondrous forms–for families of our origin and for those of our choosing.
Minister: We give thanks for those who have given us birth, for those who have nurtured us, and for those whose lives were invested in our care. Your love for us has been steadfast and sure, known in those who have cultivated our abilities, enriched our minds, strengthened our bodies, and challenged our spirits.
People: We celebrate the ever-present possibilities for your church to be a family of blessing for your beloved people. We pray that as church, we might always be attentive to the ways in which we can be a community that is ever more inclusive, ever more nurturing, ever more stimulating, ever more relevant, and ever more healing for all your people. As Christians and members of Christian homes, we recommit ourselves and our homes to your gospel call. We will serve those in need as if they were our very own sisters and brothers, sons and daughters. Now, God, we seek your blessings.
Minister: Creator God, we lift ourselves to you.
People: Gather us as one.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our families, and especially our mothers, to you.
People: Loving God, bless them.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our homes to you.
People: Loving God, bless our homes.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our neighborhoods to you.
People: Loving God, bless our neighborhoods.
Minister: Creator God, we lift our world to you.
People: Loving God, bless our world. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

THE OFFERTORY

Minister: “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11

ORGAN VOLUNTARY Pastorale on A XII Century Melody Edmundson

*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)

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

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

*HYMN 259 For the Beauty of the Earth (verses 1, 4, 5)

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

*THE POSTLUDE Finale Hollinger

*call to worship written by Katherine Hawker
**invocation written by Rev. Dr. Ruth Duck of Garrett Theological Seminary

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by the York family in memory of
Janet Grede Jacobs and in honor of all mothers and grandmothers.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 AM service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, May 16 10:00 AM

We celebrate CHILDREN’S SUNDAY!
Thomas Gregory is the organist.