Fifth Sunday of EasterEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sins. P: God of mercy, C: we confess that we have not borne the fruit of the Spirit. We have not loved others as you have loved us. We have denied the promises of baptism and cut ourselves off from you. Forgive us, restore us, that we may abide in your love and live out your mercy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. P: You have already been cleansed by the word that God has spoken to you. In baptism God claimed you and joined you to Christ, as branches to a vine. Believe the promise given to you: in Jesus Christ, + you are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN “Let All Things Now Living” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Wondrous Vinegrower, you make all things new in water and Word, feeding your people with love, joy, and peace. Lead us today and every day to the font of new beginnings. Teach us to love what you have commanded and to prune what does not nourish your creation, in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. READING: Acts 8:26-40 26An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. SERMON HYMN “We Know That Christ is Raised” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION after each petition… P: Let us join with all creation in praying for the good of the earth. P: O God, we give you thanks for your Holy Spirit whose work at creation continues in us. Through Christ Jesus you have shown your love for this earth you made. We pray that all the world may know your power and goodness; God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Word of life, reveal the wonder of your world to all people. Show us anew what lives around us, over us, beneath us, within us. Enliven the church with your Spirit, that we may honor your earth with responsible care. God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Almighty God, uphold our sisters and brothers who endure disasters caused by weather. We pray for those affected by the recent storms. Hold in your love people who have lost their homes, who are scared and overwhelmed. Be with those who are organizing relief efforts. God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Giver of all good things, bring trust and empathy to the nations of the world. Strengthen peacemakers wherever there is conflict. Give wisdom to leaders and hope to those who are scared. God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Good healer, we pray for all who are in need of comfort. Comfort those who mourn; uphold those who are sick, or awaiting words of hope, (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). God, who makes us one, C: hear our prayer. P: Trusting in your mercy, we commend to you all those we have named and those whose needs are known only to you, in the name of your Son, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER A special collection of "needed items" will be taken throughout May for Heartland Boys Home. Information is in your newsletter. P: Through our offerings, O God, give your loving Spirit to a world in need of comfort. Make our many gifts one offering for the world; in the name of Jesus. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spanish BENEDICTION P: The blessing of Almighty God be upon you today and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Now the Green Blade Rises” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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