14.05.18 Easter 5A English

Song:  We worship Christ (Patrick Matsikenyiri, Mozambique)* 

Call to Worship
Song:  Christ invites all to make a circle round (Jann Aldredge-Clanton / African-American)
Prayer of Confession
Song of Praise:  Themba Amen (Sunrise Hospice, Themba, South Africa)*

Prayer of the Day

Preparation Song:  In Christ there is a table set for all (Robert J. Stamps)

Reading from the Early Church: Acts 2:42-47

Sermon
Song:  We are one in the Spirit (Peter Scholtes / ST. BRENDAN, Peter Scholtes)
Affirmation of faith

Prayer Song:  Peace before us (based on a Navajo prayer / David Haas)*
Silent Meditation
Prayers of the People
Announcements

Songs:  Invitation (Shawn Whelan)

Come to the feast (Marty Haugen)

*seasonal for Easter

Forces:
Soprano
Piano

May 18, 2014

5^th Sunday of Easter

Please stand, all who are able.

Song

One:  We worship Christ!

All:  //We worship Christ!//

There is no one who will ever be like him.

One:  There is no one who will ever be like him.

All:  There is no one who will ever be like him.

One:  Christ is alive!

All:  //Christ is alive!//

There is no one who will ever be like him.

One:  There is no one who will ever be like him.

All:  There is no one who will ever be like him.

One:  Christ conquered death!

All:  //Christ conquered death!//

There is no one who will ever be like him.

One:  There is no one who will ever be like him.

All:  There is no one who will ever be like him.

One:  Hallelujah!

All:  //Hallelujah!//

There is no one who will ever be like him.

Call to Worship

One:  For our community gathered here,
for the spirit that called us together and drew us to this place:
All:  Let us give thanks.

One:  For moments we have shared with others;
for times when we have reached out across barriers of distance and fear;
for times when others have reached out to us:
All:  Let us again give thanks.

One:  For our weaving together out of many separate selves
this hour of celebration and reflection:
All:  We give thanks this day.

One:  We have gathered in this sacred place, again.
May we continue to create here a circle of love,
ever expanding,
ever growing.
A place of wisdom.
A place of connection.
A place of hope.

All:  Amen!

Please be seated

Song

//Christ invites all to join a circle wide.//

With our arms open wide we will join in a feast of love

with Christ-Sophia beside.

//We will find healing in the circle wide.//

With our arms open wide we will join in a feast of love

with Christ-Sophia beside.

//May this circle keep growing deep and wide.//

With our arms open wide we will join in a feast of love

with Christ-Sophia beside.

Prayer of Confession

NOT ON PPT

When we were dead in our sins, God made us alive with Christ.

Through our baptism, we were buried with Christ, so too are we raised with him by the power of God – so that we too may live a new life.

One:  Do you accept God’s call to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever guise they present themselves?

All:  We do.

One:    Do you truly and earnestly recognize your human limits and brokenness and desire to grow in grace?

All:  We do.

One:  Do you accept Jesus as the symbol of unconditional grace, the source of your freedom to act – to act boldly – in this world?

All:  We do.

—Silent reflection—

One:  Merciful God, we pray that as we confront our weakness and limitations, we will continually be confronted by your grace.

All:  Strengthen us when we doubt;

challenge us when we become too self-assured.

One:  Let us struggle for justice and meaning and love;

and be filled and surrounded by your spirit.

All:  And, O God, we pray especially that you will at all times

remind us that we are each others',

and that all of us are yours.

Amen.

Please stand, all who are able.

Song of Praise

Amen!

Prayer

NOT ON PPT

Spirit of life, in us and around us,
here is our chance, once again,
to live like we wish the world would live.

May we find within ourselves
the courage to be who we are.

May we know when it is time to listen
and when it is time to speak.

May we trust ourselves to be the ones to find
the words that need to be said
or to do what needs to be done.

May we trust one another
and know there are many ways to go through life.

May we know that
though we cannot change some of what life gives to us,
we can choose how we deal with what we are given.

We are coming into our power,
and together we can make possible justice and love.
We are all connected;
we depend upon one another more than we know.

We are one body.
So be it.
Blessed be.

[Silence]

There is a moment when noise ceases.
When the busy world is quiet
and the day's work is done.

In that moment... in this silence...
may we know God's presentness and God's peace.

Preparation Song

Welcome all you noble saints of old,
As now before your very eyes unfold
The wonders all so long ago foretold.
//In Christ there is a table set for all.//

Elders, martyrs, all are falling down;
Prophets, patriarchs are gath’ring round,
What angels longed to see now we have found.
//In Christ there is a table set for all.//

Beggars, lame, and harlots also here;
Repentant publicans are drawing near;
Wayward ones come home without a fear.
//In Christ there is a table set for all.//

Who is this who spreads the vict’ry feast?
Who is this who makes our warring cease?
Jesus, Risen Savior, Prince of Peace.
//In Christ there is a table set for all.//

When at last this earth shall pass away,
When Jesus and his Church are one to stay,
The feast of love is just begun that day.
//In Christ there is a table set for all.//

Reading from the Early Church

Acts 2:42-47

NOT ON PPT

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Holy One added to their number those who were being saved.

Reader:  Hear what the Spirit is saying to you today.

All:  Thanks be to God!

Sermon

Please stand, all who are able.

Song

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;

we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,

and we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,

we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,

and together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:

and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side;

we will work with each other, we will work side by side,

and we’ll guard human dignity and save human pride:

and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

To our motherly father all praises we bring,

and to Christ who redeems us, bring  our glad offering;

to the spir it of union, let us joyfully sing:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Affirmation: The life that ignores limits

One:  It hides in every corner,

it crosses every boundary;

All:  Your life, O God, ignores limits.

One:  We know it in the safe ones we love and enjoy;

but, if we look, it appears in those who are different,

challenging,

frightening,

unknown,

strange;

All:  Your life, O God, ignores limits.

One:  It's easy to see in those who are healthy and comfortable;

vibrant, joyful and privileged to have access

to the wonder-inspiring experiences that life offers;

but, if we look, it appears in those who seem lost to life,

poor and weak,

sick and broken and unable to move

beyond their limited horizons;

All:  Your life, O God, ignores limits.

One:  And so we celebrate your life, wherever it may be found,

and we commit ourselves to be life-seekers,

discerning and acknowledging life

in every person, every moment and every space.

All:  Amen.

Please be seated

Prayer Song

Peace before us,

peace behind us,

peace under our feet.

Peace within us,

peace over us,

let all around us be peace.

Christ before us,

Christ behind us,

Christ under our feet.

Christ within us,

Christ over us,

let all around us be Christ.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Silent Meditation

Prayers of the People

News of the People

Not on ppt:

Welcome cards

Service concludes with bilingual celebration

Please stand, all who are able.

Song

1.  God has laid a feasting table.

All her guests are gathered round.

From the highways and the byways

all the lost have now been found.

//When we hear the invitation

will we lay our burdens down?//

2.  At this table all are welcome.

No one need be left behind.

God is greater than our difference.

Christ can see where we are blind.

//When we hear the invitation

will we love all humankind?//

3.  God is crying out for justice.

Christ is weeping in the street.

When will be the time for laughter?

When will all have food to eat?

//When we hear the invitation

will we make God’s will complete?//

 [logo]

1.  Ho, everyone that thirsts:

Come to the waters!

here is an end to hunger:

Come to the feast!

and everyone who labors:

Come to the waters!

All you who have no money:

Come to the feast!

For this is life:

the waters of the Jordan:

for this is life:

the waters of your birth:

for this is life:

the waters that renew you:

O come to the feast.

O come to the feast.

2.  Let all who seek their God:

Come to the waters!

heed now the One who calls you:

Come to the feast!

the everlasting stream:

Come to the waters!

drink deep the Cup that saves you:

Come to the feast!

For this is life:

the floods that overwhelm you:

for this is life:

the streams of death and life:

for this is life:

the waters that sustain you:

O come to the feast.

O come to the feast.

3.  And all who are oppressed:

Come to the waters!

this is the feast of justice:

Come to the feast!

and you, the last and broken:

Come to the waters!

this is the feast of healing:

Come to the feast!

For this is life:

to die and rise in Jesus:

For this is life:

to share the life of Christ:

For this is life:

the bread and wine of justice:

O come to the feast.

O come to the feast!