Bulletin – Sunday, May 1, 2022 – Communion

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Third Sunday of Easter / Communion

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

God of strength and compassion, you call us to righteousness, you call us to reach out to others with justice and mercy. You offer us strength of spirit so that we might truly live in your grace, peace, compassion, and mercy. In the shadow of that grace, we are called to offer compassion and mercy to others. We light this candle today to remind us that you are with us this day and every day, and that we may serve you forevermore. Amen.

Call to Worship

One:   As we gather in this sacred moment for a sacred purpose, let us make the most of our time together.
All:      We have come to worship the Lord our God, as we come to strengthen our spirits.

One:   As we sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, let us make the most of our time together.
All:      We have come to worship the Lord our God, as we come to strengthen our spirits.

One:   As we respond to the melody in our hearts, let us make the most of our time together.
All:      We have come to worship the Lord our God, as we come to strengthen our spirits.

Hymn – “God is Here”

God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font and pulpit, here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preach, here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.

Here are children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
Here as bread and cup and taken, Christ sustains us, as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.

God of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Loving God, though we are not always strong, not fully able to discern the spiritual forces coming in and out of our lives, you have chosen us as your people. Give us understanding minds to discern between the good and evil surrounding us each day, that we may choose what is good and pleasing.

Gracious God, we have lived as unwise people. Forgive us for wasting time. Forgive us when we have not been strong in our faith. We have been foolish. Jesus, forgive us for not understanding your will. We have filled ourselves with the trappings of this world. Holy Spirit, forgive us for not being filled with you. We have forsaken your spiritual nourishment and strength.

Great Triune God of Grace, forgives us for not drawing our strength from your bread of heaven. Almighty God, please add to your mighty deeds by forgiving us. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Response – “A New Creed”

We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope. 
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us. 
We are not alone. 
Thanks be to God.

Time for All Ages

The Word

Scripture Reading:           1 Timothy 4:7-16

⁷ Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, ⁸ for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ These are the things you must insist on and teach. ¹² Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.¹⁵ Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Scripture Reading:           Matthew 5:1-11

¹ When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ² Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ₈ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “Spiritual Cross-Fit”

Anthem – “Jesus Teach Me”

The Response

Communion

One:   In a world hungry from spiritual anemia, where can real food which will give us strength be found? For those who starve for love, where can unconditional and everlasting love be found? For those who yearn for hope, where can hope be found? For those who crave acceptance and tolerance, where can true acceptance and tolerance be found? Seek the strength found in the food that God has provided. Eat the bread of life, which has come down from heaven. Drink the cup of salvation, the promise of God’s love, Eat, Drink, and be satisfied.

One:   Gathered around the communion meal, we give thanks for food that truly satisfies. We give thanks through the singing of hymns, and spiritual songs. Gathered around God’s table, we give thanks for the gift of eternal life. We give thanks through the melody in our hearts and the joy in our souls. Gathered around the heavenly banquet, we give thanks for the tune of the ages.

One:   We remember the strength of our ancestors, those who, on leaving Egypt, wandered in the dessert, those like your servant Job, who carried their faith throughout struggle and trial. Yet we have not always been strong, when our strength failed, you, Loving God, sent your son, Jesus to guide us and strengthen us, to lead us back to you.

One:   God of Gracious Mercy, your strength gives us hope, your strength allows us to carry on, your strength and presence give us comfort, we ask for your strength to those in our community whom we hope will feel your strength in their lives today…In Jesus’ name we pray.

One:   After dinner he took the wine, passed it to his friends saying, “this is the cup of salvation, God’s promise of live, each time you drink from this cup remember me and the love that we have shared.

One:   The bread of life.

One:   The cup of salvation.

Prayer after Communion

Grant us, God, spiritual strength and understanding minds, that we might know how to live. Grant us discerning hearts, that we might know the difference between how the world calls us to live and how you call us to live, and how we might live to please you. Grant us, Loving God, peace, compassion, mercy, and love all our days, the we might bring these gifts to your world. Amen.

Hymn – “Faith, Hope and Love”

Faith, hope and love – this is what we long for.
Faith, hope and love – this is what we need.
Faith, hope and love – this is what we cry for,
Oh, teach us how to live.

Trust in the Truth – this is what we long for.
Trust in the Truth – this is what we need.
Trust in the Truth – this is what we cry for,
Oh, teach us how to live.

Patience within – this is what we long for.
Patience within – this is what we need.
Patience within – this is what we cry for,
Oh, teach us how to live.

Freedom for all – this is what we long for.
Freedom for all – this is what we need.
Freedom for all – this is what we cry for,
Oh, teach us how to live.

Faith, hope and love – this is what we long for.
Faith, hope and love – this is what we need.
Faith, hope and love – this is what we cry for,
Oh, teach us how to live.
Oh, teach us how to live.

Benediction

As we go into this week let us remember that our strength lies in the strength of God. Let us remember that as we are called to be part of the whole body of Christ our spiritual strength helps not only ourselves but the whole world.

As we go know that God goes with you, that Jesus walks along side you, and that the Spirit emboldens you, today and every day. Amen.

Response – “Step by Step”

O God, You are my God,
And I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God,
And I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning,
And I will learn to walk in Your ways;
And step by step You’ll lead me,
And I will follow You all of my days.