PEWSLETTER
WEEKLY
First Presbyterian Church
Lincolnton NC
4th Sunday of Easter
 Shepherd-gate in stained glass. A gift from Covenant Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Join us for worship at our regular 10:30 hour using the links to the liturgy recorded from our homes. Sunday morning update: the Pewsletter would have gone out last night except my computer lost it! I've reconstructed the links, but they are not all working. You will get half a sermon and only a postlude for now. I took out the link to communion. I will try to fix the links and resend them this afternoon. Kathryn.

Listen for the Prelude, Gymnopodie by Eric Sadie, with the first link below.

Then say out loud the Call to worship, below:

We worship God in the name of Jesus Christ, the good shepherd,
who offers us abundant life.
 
We worship God in the name of the One who leads us by still waters,and restores our souls.

We worship God in the name of the One who prepares a banquet for us, and fills our cups to overflowing.

Our first lesson for today is led by Laura Beatty singing with the hymn for today , "The King of Love My Shepherd Is". Sing along with the second link below using the printed words based on Psalm 23:

1 The King of love my Shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
and He is mine forever.

2 Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul He leadeth,
and, where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.

3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love He sought me.
And on His shoulder gently laid,
and home rejoicing brought me.

4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill
with Thee, dear Lord beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

5 Thou spread'st a table in my sight;
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from Thy pure chalice floweth!

6 And so through all the length of days,
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
within Thy house forever.

For children from Illustrated Ministry resources click on: https://illstrtdm.in/EasterWeek4 

 Holy and gracious God, shepherd of our lives, we come to you with thanksgiving that you provide and sustain us.

You bless us each day with glimpses of resurrection and promise of new life. May those we meet find their lives touched by the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

Listening God, gate of truth, caretaker of our world, we bring you now our prayers. Hear them in your tender mercy:

We pray for those we in care facilities:
for Rebecca Beatty's mother; for
Helen Fox , Evelyn Ross' mother; for people living in group homes and their caregivers.

We pray for those whose health and well-being are challenged:

B ryan Ross, Jim Ross' son.
Eric Sipe and his sister, Vicky .

May each of us know the power of your Holy Spirit compassion and promise.
Acts 2:46-47 describes the daily work of lay leadership, the ministry of all believers:
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

One of the ways we spend time together in worship is when we pray:

Generous and loving God,
Your steadfast love endures throughout the ages.
Generation after generation, you offer renewal and rest
to all who are lost or carry heavy burdens.
However far we have strayed,
you seek us out and guide us beside still waters.
You lead us in path of righteousness,
and walk with us even through the darkest valleys.
You are our hope and our source of life.
Today we worship you for your endless love,
as you embrace us once again,
our Creator, Redeemer and Guide.
 
Hear us now as we confess the sin we have committed against you and one another:
Ever-patient God, endless in love and abundant in mercy,
we confess that too often we forget your love
and withhold forgiveness, kindness and friendship from one another.
You have called us to be compassionate,
but too often we are cold and full of judgment towards each other.
You have called us to follow Christ,
but too often we are distracted by our own desires and plans.
Forgive us for all the ways we fall short of your hopes for us
and renew a right spirit within us. Amen.

Every time you wash your hands, hear these Words of Assurance: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven; God restores us in community.

Click below for the link to the Second Reading from John 10:1-10 followed by Pastor Kathryn's Sermon, "A Figure of Speech". The sermon is in two parts: Sermon Outside and Sermon Inside.

The third link is Becky Beatty playing the Postlude: Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, Much We Need Your Tender Care.

We pray for countries and communities where it is not safe for people to live out their faith openly.

May people of all faiths be granted freedom to worship without fear.

We pray for people in the world who are victims of discrimination and acts of hatred. We pray for the poor.

May your desire for justice be made known and lived out.

May we discover new ways to be your Easter people in the world.

We ask these things
in the name of the Risen Lord, who taught us to pray
for daily bread,
to forgive and be forgiven,
to be led not into temptation,
but delivered by your power
and to your glory, Amen.
Ask yourself:
when did you first learn what communion meant? who helped you understand the meaning of "the cup of salvation"?

How do we know when someone is the person to follow? Where do you hear the voice of Jesus in people seeking to lead us?

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42
With hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we give thanks for Barbara B. Crumley who died Saturday, April 25. Her husband Chip will let us know when we might gather for a service of celebration. Barbara and Chip have been members of FPCLincolnton for over 45 years. Keep Chip and his family in your prayers. Cards may be sent to Chip Crumley, 803 East Park Drive, Lincolnton 28092.
REACH TEACH FEED LOVE
Church Staff
Rev. Dr. Kathryn J. Cameron, Bridge Supply Pastor -
pastor@fpclincolnton.org - (828)-450-7182
Rebecca Beatty, Director of Music, Organist - becbea50@gmail.com
Jill Goins, Administrative Assistant - admin@fpclincolnton.org
Kristen Willis,  Preschool Director - preschool@fpclincolnton.org
Nancy Rudisill, Sexton  -   admin@fpclincolnton.org
Office Hours
Suspended until further notice

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