May 12, 2024
Prelude: Mercies Numberless (from “Saul”)
Handel
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 49]
Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
both low and high, rich and poor together.
Why should we fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of our persecutors surrounds us?
Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life, there is no price one can give to God for it.
But God will ransom our soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive us.
Let us worship the LORD!
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Hymn 483)
Schütz/Bohemian Brethren’s Kirchengesang
Jill Cathey, oboe
Sing praise to God, who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation;
With healing balm my soul is filled, and every faithless murmur stilled;
To God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty power hath made, God’s gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning glow or evening shade God's watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of God’s might, Lo! All is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!
Thus all my gladsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises
That all may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body take your part:
To God all praise and glory!
Confession
God of wisdom, as we navigate a shifting sea of information and misinformation, we are slow to trust. Forgive us when we are unwilling to listen to strangers or to reconsider our actions. Forgive us when we do not recognize or believe your messengers. Lead us to repentance, and give us courage to open ourselves to the surprise of your work in unexpected places and people near and far. Amen.
Silence
Be Not Afraid
Taizé Community/Berthier
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Be not afraid; sing out for joy! Christ is risen, alleluia!
(repeat)
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
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,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
Solo: Hope of the World (Hymn 360)
Harkness/Genevan Psalter
Lisa Phillips
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Jill Cathey
Old Testament: Jonah 3:3b–10
New Testament: Matthew 11:16-24
Sermon: Jonah and the Ninevites
Focus: We will miss the Great Acts of God if we are unwilling to be surprised!
Response: All Who Love and Serve Your City (Hymn 413)
Routley/The United States Sacred Harmony
All who love and serve your city, all who bear its daily stress,
All who cry for peace and justice, all who curse and all who bless:
In your day of wealth and plenty, wasted work and wasted play,
Call to mind the word of Jesus, “You must work while it is day.”
For all days are days of judgment, and the Lord is waiting still,
Drawing near a world that spurns Him, offering peace from Calvary’s hill.
Risen Lord, shall yet the city be the city of despair?
Come today, our judge, our glory. Be its name “The Lord is there!”
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Mila Russell
For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. -Hebrews 6:10
Offering: Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour
Owen/Bisbee
(honoring Ascension Sunday)
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
Sullivan/Burkhardt
(for the final Sunday of the Easter Season)
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