June 1, 2025
Prelude: This Joyful Eastertide
17th cent. Dutch melody/Burkhardt
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 104]
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all.
You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken.
You cover it with the deep as with a garment; you make springs gush forth in the valleys.
They flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
Let us worship the LORD!
All Things Bright and Beautiful (Hymn 267)
Alexander/English melody
Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings:
God made their glowing colors, God made their tiny wings.
(Refrain)
The purple headed mountain, the river running by,
The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky,
(Refrain)
God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.
(Refrain)
Confession
God of good creation, you brought the world into being and create each of us in your image. You choose to stay in relationship with us, seeking wholeness and restoration in all things. Forgive us when we are too caught up in the concerns of this world to breathe the hope of your gospel. Forgive us when we do not pay attention to your handiwork in creation or appreciate our interconnectedness with each other and with nature. Help us live into the work of your redemption, as you gather all things in Christ. Amen.
Silence
Give Thanks
Smith
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, “We are strong,”
Let the poor say, “We are rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks. Give thanks. Give thanks.
[Ephesians 5:19-20]
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
God of Mercy, God of Grace (Hymn 203)
Wilson/Lyte
God of mercy, God of grace, show the brightness of Your face;
Shine upon us, Savior, shine, fill us with Your light divine.
Let the people praise You, Lord, be by all that live adored;
At Your feet their tribute pay, and Your holy will obey.
Let the nations shout and sing, glory to their Savior bring;
All below and all above sing your praise with joy and love.
Let the people praise You, Lord, earth shall then its fruits afford;
Shine upon us, Savior, shine, fill us with Your light divine.
Prayer for Illumination
Creed
God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes the natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. It is the will of God that the divine purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from creation.
Scripture Readings
Kelly Grieves
Old Testament: Genesis 1:31
New Testament: Matthew 6:10
Homily: Creation and Covenant
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “The covenant is not only quite as old as creation; it is older than it. Before the world was, before heaven and earth were, the resolve or decree of God exists in view of this event in which God willed to hold communion with man, as it became inconceivably true and real in Jesus Christ.” ― Karl Barth
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: For the Beauty of the Earth
Kocher/Labenske
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Judy Stafstrom
Israel said to Joseph, “I did not expect to see your face; and here God has let me see your children also.” -Genesis 48:11
Sending: I Come with Joy (Hymn 507)
Wren/American folk melody
I come with joy to meet my Lord, forgiven, loved, and free,
In awe and wonder to recall His life laid down for me,
His life laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
The new community of love in Christ’s communion bread,
In Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
And strangers now are friends.
Together met, together bound, we’ll go our different ways,
And as His people in the world, we’ll live and speak His praise,
We’ll live and speak His praise.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: March
Handel
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