GATHERING TO PRAISE GOD Sunday, May 7, 2023
Prelude
Choral Introit
Welcome
Praise Song
The People Gather
L: Come now and see for yourselves. God is alive in our midst and begins life anew even among us.
P: If we only look we will see the very nature of God in those gathered around us.
L: The world tried to silence the Good News of the Resurrection.
P: May we, like the original disciples, proclaim God’s Yes to the world’s no.
Hymn Come, Share the Lord TFWS 2269
The People Pray
O God of all creation, become for us once again the solid
foundation upon which we build our church.
We gather before you, this first day of the week, to align our lives to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Receive our praise and thanksgiving as expressions of faith and love.
We come to you, O Lord, as people who desire to learn and serve like Christ. We are ready to receive your blessing and direction today. Speak to us today as you did in the early days of your Church. Amen.
Special Music
Children’s Moment
The People Confess Their Sin
Words of Assurance
The Word of God for the People of God
Scripture
Acts 7:55-60
But Stephen, enabled by the Holy Spirit, stared into heaven and saw God’s majesty and Jesus standing at God’s right side.56 He exclaimed, “Look! I can see heaven on display and the Human One[a] standing at God’s right side!” 57 At this, they shrieked and covered their ears. Together, they charged at him,58 threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses placed their coats in the care of a young man named Saul. 59 As they battered him with stones, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, accept my life!” 60 Falling to his knees, he shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” Then he died.
Message Rejecting the Resurrection
Pastoral Prayer
The People Bring Their Gifts
The baskets will be passed or use your online app
The People Offer Praise Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
The People Come to the Table
P: O Lord, may we who eat this bread, and drink this wine become a people of salvation.
Enrich our faith and trust as we gather together again at your table for this sacred meal.
We confess our broken and sinful behavior and seek forgiveness for the harm we have done to others and to ourselves.
In these moments of communion together, may we experience the confidence of children who know they are loved and accepted completely. Amen.
Blessing of the Sacraments
*Sharing the meal*
The People Go into The World
Hymn Freely, Freely UMH 389
Benediction
Postlude
Join us for Coffee hour following the service.
Who are you in the story of the stoning of Stephen? Throwing stontes? Ready to pay any price to proclaim the Gospel? One who watched but did nothing?
While you may not have ever thrown stones, in what ways have you rejected the good news of Resurrection?
What does resurrection look like in your life?
What price are you willing to pay for the Gospel?