Welcome Rev. Esther Rendon-Thompson
Call to Worship (Psalm 23) Kevin Thompson
Let us read together these familiar words, recognizing in the Risen Christ our Good Shepherd:
Jesus, you are our shepherd.
We shall never want. You make us lie down in green pastures;
you lead us beside the still waters.
You restore our souls.
You guide us in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake.
Even though we may walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
we fear no evil, for you, Christ, comfort us.
Jesus has prepared a table for us
in the presence of our foes;
Jesus has anointed us with the oil of salvation;
our cup runs over!
Surely, goodness and mercy will follow us
all the days of our lives,
And we will dwell in the house
of our Holy Savior forever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Loving God,
You are the one who comes to us in Jesus Christ.
Holy One,
You are the one who comes to us in the Holy Spirit…,
You are the one who calls us to recognize you today and every day…
Gather our hearts and minds…
Kindle our awareness of you.
Let us worship you in awe and wonder!
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)
42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 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. 47 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.
Here ends today’s reading.
Responsive Prayer
One: You are called for a purpose:
for the sake of knowing and drawing close toward God
a person bears up under sorrows.
All: We are not here by chance.
One: You are chosen and precious in the sight of God…
your lives are being built up into a spiritual sanctuary where the justice and mercy and peace of the Risen Christ may dwell.
All: We are not here by chance.
One: Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
All: Jesus, we are the sheep of your pasture.
You have chosen us.
We have chosen you.
We are not here by chance. Amen.
(Service Prayers for Easter 4 was written and arranged by the Rev. Marilyn Kennedy Levine, a United Church of Christ pastor in the Northern Plains Conference. Used by permission. UCC/Worship Ways/ May 3, 2020).
Message Rev. Esther Rendon-Thompson
Benediction
For Silent Reflection:
“In darkness God’s truth shines most clear.” Corrie ten Boom
“With God life is an-endless hope. Without God, life is a hopeless end.” Bill Bright
“Our world today so desperately hungers for hope, yet uncounted people have almost given up. There is despair and hopelessness on every hand. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the hope that is in Jesus.” Billy Graham
“As you study your Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, and live out the truths that God reveals to you, you will discover new stability, strength, and confidence.” Kay Arthur
“We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future.” St. Augustine
(“100 Days of Healing” Daily Devotional by Stephen Arterburn)