May 3, 2026
Prelude: Two Settings of Jesus Christ our Savior, Who Overcame Death
Dupré and Pachelbel
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 23]
The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want. He makes us lie down in green pastures;
He leads us beside still waters; he restores our soul.
He leads us in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we fear no evil; for you are with us.
Let us worship the LORD!
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Hymn 478)
Lyte/Goss
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favor to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness.
Fatherlike he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him; ye behold him face to face.
Sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.
Confession
God of life and breath, sometimes we want to say, “If you had been here, this death would not have happened.” Forgive us when our hope is lost and we feel abandoned. You know the painful and empty places in our hearts and in our communities, but you do not always fix them immediately. When we inhabit the tension of waiting and loss, help us know that you are there to weep with us. Give us strength and patience to trust your love that goes beyond death. Amen.
Silence
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Hymn 384)
Matheson/Peace
O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee:
I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
O light that follows all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology (Hymn 592)
Ken/Genevan Psalter
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.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Jay Stafstrom
Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1–14
New Testament: John 11:1–45
Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Hymn 316)
Hatch/Jackson
Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will, to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.
Homily: Love That Suffers
Scott Starbuck
Theme: Love enters death and calls forth life.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: I Am the Bread of Life
Toolan
Please join in singing the Refrain:
“And I will raise you up, and I will raise you up,
And I will raise you up on the last day.”
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Zak Cannard
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. -1 Timothy 6:17
Sending: Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Hymn 404)
Dorsey/Allen
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand;
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light; take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near;
When my life is almost gone, hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall; take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Charge & Benediction
We Are One In the Spirit
Scholtes
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Refrain:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one: (Refrain)
Postlude: Gigue from Partita in B minor
Bach
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