The Celebration of the Gospel
April 17, 2016 —Fourth Sunday of Easter
________We Gather as the Body of Christ______
GREETING
PRELUDE
8:15: El Numero Uno Jane Weidensaul, Elena Davids, harp
10:30: Menuet I and II, from Cello Suite No. 1 J. S. Bach, Julie Spring, harp
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies, listen for our hearts’ deepest desires, and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice:
All: Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing:
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship God day and night within the temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, who will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
* SONG In Unity We Lift Our Song Black hymnal #2221
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG Allegro di molto C. P. E. Bach, Julie Spring, harp
___________We Attend to the Word___________
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of grace, when we are defeated you give us courage. When we are weak you give us strength. When we are dead you raise us to life. Come to the place in our hearts where we are in need, and take our hand, and raise us up with your Word. Amen.
GOSPEL John 10.22-30
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in God’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What God has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of God’s hand. God and I are one.”
RESPONSE: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. All: Thanks be to God
PSALTER Psalm 95 Blue hymnal # 814:2
NEW TESTAMENT Acts 9.36-43
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.”
So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
RESPONSE: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. All: Thanks be to God
SERMON The Courageous Work of Mujer Rev. Dr. Cristian de la Rosa
SONG Who Is My Mother, Who Is My Brother Black hymnal # 2225
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A Modern Affirmation – Blue hymnal # 885
* SONG Make Us One Black hymnal # 2224
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
Wonderful Words Of Life Tune: WORDS OF LIFE, arr: Anthony GiamancoHayes
* OFFERING SONG Doxology Blue hymnal #94
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Give us love for our neighbors, courage to act, and trust in your abundant grace, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG You Are the Seed Blue hymnal # 583
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE Gavotte Samuel Wesley
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]