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Dear Friends,
Peace to you on this Ascension Sunday, as we focus on the day Jesus departed from his disciples in the village of Bethany (Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:11). It's an odd thing we do in the church, remembering and celebrating the day the present Lord became absent. But, of course, it set the stage for the arrival of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost and the flourishing of the movement of his followers. Below is a video link to our main worship service, along with an order of service. And then we also have the family worship service linked below, too, a shorter and more child-friendly opportunity. We hope they are inspiring and meaningful to you. Thanks to all who contributed!
You'll hear some announcements in the Common Life portion of the main service, but here is a link to a written version on our church website. Also, please note that we will have a virtual memorial service on Zoom for Bill Campbell next Saturday, May 30, at 1 pm. The Zoom link and password are located in the Daily Bread.
A final note: Our Session, Coronavirus Task Force and Strategic Planning Committee are hard at work discerning next steps for our church as we consider when it is safe and wise to reopen our church building and resume in-person gatherings. The Session will weigh various options and act on June 8 at our next meeting. Please be in touch with any of our Elders with suggestions and questions you may have. Your prayers are dear to us.
Hang in there, friends. We love you and we're praying for you.
With gratitude and hope,
Pastor Jeff
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7th Sunday of Easter
May 24th, 2020
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Songs & Stories Family Worship
May 24th, 2020 |
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"Ascension" from the Rabbula Gospels (c. 586 A.D.)
Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
7th Sunday of Easter, May 24th, 2020
Prelude
Fanfare
on TRURO
arr. Hal Hopson
Welcome and Call to Worship
Come to worship, people of God, with praises on your lips.
Even when we are feeling isolated and fearful, we can glorify God who holds our hands in our loneliness.
Come into the presence of Christ who makes every place, every space, holy and sacred.
Even where we continue to stay safe in our homes, the doors of grace are flung wide open for us.
Come and hear the stories of the Spirit who loves you.
In living rooms, on laptops and devices, we will sing our songs and tell stories of the peace and hope which is ours.
Friends, let us worship God, tender and just.
Opening Hymn No. 268 (vs.1 & 2)
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Call to Confession
Today is Ascension Sunday when we celebrate Christ's return to God. We look up in wonder as he is lifted up into heaven. But this is not a time to gaze upward. There is work to be done. Jesus has entrusted the ministry of God's love to us. And so we examine our hearts this day, confessing how we and our world have strayed from God's dream. Let us make our confession together.
Prayer of Confession
Vulnerable God, hear our prayer: for the mending of our hearts, torn apart by unkindness; for the healing of our minds and bodies, wasting away from the despair around us; for the forgiveness, we seek for the sin we have allowed to persist; for the reconciliation of the world, whose division condemns us; for the fatigue and lament and discouragement we feel in the midst of this pandemic. Eternal God, give us the courage to receive your grace, the strength to amend our ways and the rest we need to trudge on. We pray through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, who is Lord of all the earth. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Friends, hear this good news: the love of God is beyond measure, and we are included in that love. All is forgiven and all shall be well. We are free to love and serve our neighbor without strings attached.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
Our Common Life
Scripture Reading Luke 24:44-53
Sermon Rev. Jeff Lehn
Duet - Greg Korak and Cecilia Chow
Great Is Thy Faithfulness Wm. Runyan, arr. Christine Anderson
Affirmation of Faith
(The Apostles' Creed)
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 Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
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 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 Offering
On this Ascension Sunday, we are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us - to receive the promised Holy Spirit and the invitation to walk in newness of life. May we respond this morning with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we now offer four different ways to make your offering: use our church website, our smartphone app, text the word "Wilmette" to the number 77977, or send a check by mail to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.
Doxology -
LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Dedication
Generous God, bless all we offer you this morning-ourselves, our time and our resources. As we navigate this stressful and trying time, help us to offer the full measure of our lives to you. Use these gifts and all that we are to embody your dream for the world - a world of kindness and peace and authenticity and hope. Amen.
Sending Hymn No. 613
How Majestic Is Your Name
Charge and Benediction
Postlude
Postlude on
DIADEMATA
arr. Jeffrey Blersch
Worship Leaders
Rev. Jeff Lehn, preaching
Rev. Rev. Erin Raska, pastoral liturgist
Peggy Massello, organist, music director
John Phelan, liturgist
Stephanie Phelan, scripture reader
Claire Divizio, hymn soloist
Greg Korak, bells
Cecilia Chow, piano
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First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010
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