May 21, 2023
Prelude: Arise, My Soul, Arise!
Finnish folk tune, arr. Wood
Introit: Rain Down
Cortez/Carter
Betsy Hammond, Jill Cathey, Manito Ringers
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 68]
Sing praises to God’s name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds.
Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
He gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity.
Your flock found a dwelling; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
Let us worship the LORD!
Sing Praise to God (Hymn 483)
Schutz/Bohemian Brethren’s Kirchengesang
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!
The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever-present help and stay, our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
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
Father of orphans and protector of widows, we long for your restoration. However, your kingdom rarely comes when or how we expect it to come. Forgive us when we try to predict you rather than doing what you tell us in faith. Forgive us when we attempt to recreate the past rather than welcoming the new things you are doing. Fill us with your love and power, and help us find community together in prayer and in the work of your kingdom. Amen.
Silence
Rain Down
Cortez
Rain down; rain down; rain down your love on your people.
Rain down; rain down; rain down your love, God of life.
(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
Lead On, O King Eternal (Hymn 447)
Smart/Shurtleff
Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest thy tents shall be our home:
Through days of preparation thy grace has made us strong,
And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace;
For not with swords’ loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.
Lead on, O King eternal: we follow, not with fears;
For gladness breaks like morning where’er thy face appears;
Thy cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light:
The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Lemm
Old Testament: Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
New Testament: Acts 1:6-14
Sermon: It is Not for Us to Know
John Owen
Focus: Can we ever really go back to ’the way things were,’ when God’s Spirit is always calling us forward into God’s Kingdom?
Response: Awake, the Voice Commands
Bach/Busoni
YunJoung Park, piano
“Awake! A voice astounds us;
the shout of rampart guards surrounds us;
‘Awake, Jerusalem, arise!’
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
Her heart with joyful hope is springing;
She wakes and hurries through the night."
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, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Shelly Owen
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:4
Offering Our Gifts: Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
BRYN CALFARIA/Owen, arr. Bisbee
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: Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
Owen, arr. Langlois
OneLicense# A-727502
CCLI# 283345
