Sunday, May 10, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join the pastors for a coffee chat over Zoom on Sunday, May 10 from 9-9:45 am. Drop in anytime and let us know how you’re doing! Click  here to join. The meeting ID is 869 2443 4015 and the password is 4111.
PRELUDE

“The Nightingale and the Rose” by Camille Saint-Saens
Darlene Skinner
SILENCE

Set a timer for 5 minutes and use a breath prayer.
On the inhale, mentally say: “Love may abound…”
On the exhale: “…more and more.”
OPENING WORD (from Phil. 1)

May our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.
May we may be able to discern what is best.
May we be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—
to the glory and praise of God.
Amen.
OPENING HYMN

"For the Beauty of the Earth"
Torin Wright & Darlene Skinner
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies;
Refrain: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light; Refrain

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild; Refrain

For thy church, that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
offering upon every shore her pure sacrifice of love; Refrain

For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth and joy in heaven: Refrain
TEACHING
“Lord, teach us to pray.” That is what Jesus’s friends longed to learn. Prayer is a basic need we have, and we don’t always know how to do it. During small group gatherings, have you ever been asked to pray and not been sure where to begin? Have you desired a richer prayer life during quiet moments throughout the day, but not been sure what to say? Take 5 minutes to learn a little prayer you can use at any time, whenever a person comes to mind. Pastor Sarah leads the way in this video.
SPECIAL MUSIC

“Faith of Our Mothers"
Torin Wright & Darlene Skinner
OFFERING

As our Lord has given us every breath we take, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for all our gifts. How can we live out our overwhelming gratitude? There are ways to help out in Moore County. Click  here to offer your service to the One who has given all.
SECOND SONG

"Carrier" by Jared Anderson
the Connections Praise Band
The spirit of the Lord is upon me
To preach good news to the poor
To bind up the broken-hearted
To make you known even more

So that people living in darkness
Will see the great light

I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine your light to the world
I will go shine your light to the world

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
Freedom and truth to proclaim
Trade your ashes for the oil of gladness
And your sorrows for garments of praise

I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine your light to the world
I will go shine your light to the world

Here am I, send me
Here am I, send me
Here am I, send me
Here am I, send me

I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine your light to the world
I will go shine your light to the world
SCRIPTURE LESSON

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Philippians 1:3-14

MESSAGE

"Easter in Captivity: Unchained Joy"
by Pastor David
CLOSING HYMN

"Now Thank We All Our God"
Torin Wright & Darlene Skinner
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills, in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
A SPECIAL CLOSING PRAYER FOR MOTHER'S DAY
O God, Creator of us all, thank You for giving each of us life and sustaining us to this day. Thank You for a Love that cradles us, nurtures us, provides food for us, and gives us a sense of home. We pray that we would feel your mothering arms surround us this day and always. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Also this day we give you thanks for the mothers we’ve had here on earth – those women who taught us, guided us, and gave us an example of how to love others. Thank you for grandmothers, mothers, stepmothers, aunts, sisters, and in-laws…for all those who cared for us and took time to lead us over the years. We ask a special blessing on all these women who are so important to us – Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Now, God, we ask that you help bring forgiveness to all relationships in which mother and child are estranged. We pray for families to be freed from old wounds and to step forth in a new day, knowing that you are always sending forth your Spirit to make all things new. Bring grace to strained relationships and restore the bond between us. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

This morning we pray for all of us who know the special grief that comes from losing a mother. When we feel like we are drifting without an anchor, please step in and anchor us, O God. Be present with the broken-hearted and hold them in your loving arms. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We also pray for all women who have suffered the loss of a child…those who’ve had miscarriages or infertility…those who’ve lost a baby just when things seemed so promising…and any who have said goodbye to a son or daughter too soon. Stay right beside these ones who know this loss. Please help us, as brothers and sisters in Christ, surround those who are hurting. Give us the words to say or give us the silence to keep. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We pray also for all the places in the world, and in our own nation, where mothers suffer without access to the medical care they need. We pray for mothers whose children are trapped in prison cells—and mothers who, themselves, are. We pray for all mothers who come with burdens and worries, and we ask you to bear their load for them, Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

All this we ask in the Name of Your Son, who longed to gather Jerusalem under his arms as a hen gathers her chicks, Jesus our Love. Amen.