Gathering & Prelude: "Agnus Dei" by Michael W. Smith; Words and music: CCLI #2723293
- Click here to view the sheet music.
- Words:
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Verse: Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia.
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Chorus: Holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb; Worthy is the Lamb. You are holy. Holy are You, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb; Worthy is the Lamb. You are (repeat Chorus). Amen.
Greeting & Announcements
Call to Worship
- God is the True Vine,
- And we are the branches.
- Connected to God.
- Connected to bear fruit!
- Connected to God.
- Or we wither away.
- Connected to God.
- Or useless!
- We come to worship God, who is the True Vine.
- God, teach us how to remain connected so that we might bear good fruit!
Poem: "Woven"
I Am, woven.
Woven through the earth.
Woven through your veins.
Woven through the Son.
The one who bore our pains.
Woven through existence.
In minds, in sweet remembrance.
In future and in an instant.
I Am, never distant.
I Am, Peace.
When feelings overwhelm you
And disappointments tell you
That you are less in value.
I Am, Hope.
When all you know is sadness
And talking makes you nervous
And your mind does you a disservice.
I Am, Trust.
I never leave you wanting.
I satisfy your longing
I carry you beyond your limits
Onward to a new existence.
I Am, woven.
Woven through the earth.
Woven through your veins.
Woven through the Son.
The one who bore our pains.
Woven through existence.
In minds, in sweet remembrance.
In future and in an instant.
I Am, never distant.
Opening Hymn: "Beloved, Let Us Love One Another;" Tune: Scripture Song; Words and music: Public Domain
- Click here to view the sheet music.
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Words: Beloved, let us love one another, For love is of God, And everyone that loveth is born of God And knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, For God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Let us pray.
We thank you, gracious God, for Jesus Christ the true vine, with his roots eternally grounded in you. We rejoice that by grace we have been grafted into him, to be branches on a vine which bears the loveliest of all the fruits of earth. Yet we confess that all is not well with the way we live.
Please forgive us for the occasions when we have been the ones to introduce disease into the vine, preferring its contamination to the vigor of health. Forgive us for neglecting to draw deeply on the sap of Life, for our tendency to wander instead of growing on the framework you provide, for being content, and sometimes even proud of, a few sparse or undersized fruits, for the apathy which lets us to go through some seasons without bearing any fruit.
Have mercy on us. Please do not lose patience or sever us completely from the true vine. Rather heal our diseases, discipline and train our wandering tendrils, prune our unfruitful branches and cut away our diseased ones. May we remain in Christ and he in us, through all the changing seasons of life. Let us delight in bearing the fruits of love which are our true purpose and joy. For your Name’s sake. Amen!
Words of Assurance
Jesus said: “If you reside in me, and my words reside in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.” Friends, we have asked for forgiveness and correction. It has been truly done for us. It is being done for us. And it will be done for us. Thanks be to God!
Sermon Series: "Getting Warmed Up"
Sermon: "Abide"
Sermon Hymn #700, St. 3-4: "Abide With Me;" Tune: Eventide; Words and music: Public Domain
- I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
- I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
The Apostles' Creed (Traditional Version)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Traditional use of this creed includes these words: "He descended into hell."
**universal
Prayers of the People
Chiming of the Bells The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Today we are ringing bells 14 times in prayerful acknowledgment and remembrance of the children lost to us through the tragedy of abuse or neglect in the Hampton Roads area in 2019. We are called to defend the defenseless, to show love to those who know no love, and to bring justice to those who are abused. For more information about Bells of Hope, click here.
Offering
God of love, you abide with us; you provide for all our needs and guide us in your ways. Out of gratitude for your care, we bring our gifts before you. Use them for your work of caring, that all may feast at the table of abundance, walk without fear, and drink deeply from the cup of compassion. Amen.
Doxology: "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow" by Witkowski; Tune: Lasst uns erfreuen
Words and music: One License #A-727358
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Words: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise him above, you heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
The Great Thanksgiving
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Breaking the Bread & Giving the Cup
Communion Hymn #2179: "Ubi Caritas;" Tune: Ubi Caritas (Taizé); Words and music: One License #A-727358
- Click here to view the sheet music.
- Words:
- Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you.
- (Latin) Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
Closing Hymn #467: "Trust and Obey;" Tune: Trust and Obey; Words and music: Public Domain
- Click here to view the sheet music.
- Words:
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1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
- Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
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2. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he doth richly repay; not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey. Refrain
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3. But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor he shows, for the joy he bestows, are for them who will trust and obey. Refrain
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4. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, or we'll walk by his side in the way; what he says we will do, where he sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey. Refrain
Benediction
Go now, and love one another, because love is from God. Proclaim God’s salvation to every generation. Remain in Jesus Christ, and like branches of a vine, draw your life from him. And may God the vine grower tend you and make you fruitful; May Christ Jesus abide in you and give you life; And may the Holy Spirit cast out all fear and fill you with God’s love. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord...In the name of Christ. Amen.
Postlude
