May 7, 2023
Prelude: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Thomerson, arr. Burkhardt
Introit: God, Our Help and Constant Refuge
Anderson/Howells
Carollen Ryan
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 31]
In you, O Lord, we shelter. Let us never be shamed.
Be our stronghold of rock, a fort-house to shelter us.
For your name’s sake, lead us and guide us.
Let us exult and rejoice in your kindness.
Let us worship the LORD!
Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather (Hymn 465)
Yamaguchi/Japanese gagaku mode
Here, O Lord, your servants gather, hand we link with hand;
Looking toward our Savior’s cross, joined in love we stand.
As we seek the realm of God, we unite to pray:
Jesus, Savior, guide our steps, for you are the Way.
Many are the tongues we speak, scattered are the lands,
Yet our hearts are one in God, one in love’s demands.
E’en in darkness hope appears, calling age and youth:
Jesus, teacher, dwell with us, for you are the Truth.
Nature’s secrets open wide, changes never cease;
Where, O where, can weary souls find the source of peace?
Unto all those sore distressed, torn by endless strife:
Jesus, healer, bring your balm, for you are the Life.
Grant, O God, an age renewed, filled with deathless love;
Help us as we work and pray, send us from above
Truth and courage, faith and power needed in our strife:
Jesus, Savior, be our way, be our truth, our life.
Confession
God, our foundation, we confess that our hearts are often troubled by the complexities of our lives, and weighed down by the concerns of the world. Jesus, we struggle to grasp your interconnectedness with the Father and with us. Forgive us when we claim to know you but resist courageously living in the way to which you call us. Forgive us our fears and our reliance upon our own efforts rather than trusting in your Word, and your grace. Remind us again that we are your people: loved, cared for, forgiven, and empowered to do your work. Amen.
Silence
A Shield About Me
Thomas/Williams
Thou, O Lord, are a shield about me.
You’re my glory, You’re the lifter of my head. (repeat)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
You’re the lifter of my head.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
You’re the lifter of my head.
[Psalm 3:3]
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
Commissioning Christina Heid
O Christ Our Healer, there is no end to malady, sickness, injury, and disease in this broken world, so there is no end to the line of hurting people who daily need my tending.
Therefore give Christina grace, O God, that she might be generous with her kindness, and that in this healing and care-taking vocation her hands might become an extension of your hands, and her service a conduit for your mercy.
For it is often not an easy place to be – so near to suffering, to injury, to pain, to emergency and fear and confusion, and sometimes even to dying and death and grief – but we believe it is exactly the sort of place you would be, O Lord, amongst those who hurt. So let the practice of medicine be centered in an understanding of your heart.
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Thomerson
I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain:
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.
(Refrain)
I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus.
(Refrain)
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
New Testament: John 14:1-14
Homily: How Can We Know the Way?
Focus: If a person has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
–Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: What A Friend We Have in Jesus (Hymn 403)
Scriven/Converse
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged: take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge – take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Rick Lanphear
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 Our Gifts: Healer of Our Every Ill
Toolan
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: Allemande from Pastorale in F Major, BWV 590
Bach
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