May 4, 2025
Prelude: Aria from “Israel in Egypt”
Handel, arr. Norman
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 67]
May God make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let us worship the LORD!
O Praise the Gracious Power (Hymn 471)
Doran/Troeger
O praise the gracious power that tumbles walls of fear
And gather in one house of faith all strangers far and near:
We praise You, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise persistent truth that opens fisted minds
And eases from their anxious clutch the prejudice that binds.
We praise You, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise inclusive love, encircling every race,
Oblivious to gender, wealth, to social rank or place:
We praise You, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
O praise the living Christ with faith’s bright songful voice!
Announce the gospel to the world and with these words rejoice:
We praise You, Christ! Your cross has made us one!
Confession
God of compassion, you have created us to belong to you and to each other. You are quick to welcome your children back, even when we have sinned against you. Forgive us when we hold onto grievances or division. Forgive us our apathy when others are hurting or in danger and we could make a difference. Help us draw closer to Jesus and trust your ways. Give us courage to act with kindness, interrupt cycles of conflict, and work for reconciliation, both within and outside the church. Amen.
Silence
Come Now, O Prince of Peace
Geonyong Lee
Come now, O Prince of peace, make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Come now, O God of love; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
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.
O for a World
Winter/Gläser
O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.
We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.
The poor are rich; the weak are strong; the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.
O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.
Prayer for Illumination
Creed
God has created the peoples of the earth to be one universal family. In his reconciling love, God overcomes the barriers between sisters and brothers and breaks down every form of discrimination based on racial or ethnic difference, real or imaginary. The church is called to bring all people to receive and uphold one another as persons in all relationships of life: in employment, housing, education, leisure, marriage, family, church, and the exercise of political rights. Therefore, the church labors for the abolition of all racial discrimination and ministers to those injured by it. Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize others, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which they profess.
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Genesis 45:15
New Testament: Luke 15:20
Homily: To receive and uphold one another
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “The area of the Church stands in the world, as outwardly the Church stands in the village or in a city, beside the school, the cinema and the railway station. The Church’s language cannot aim at being an end in itself. It must be made clear that the Church exists for the sake of the world, that the light is shining in the darkness.” ― Karl Barth
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: God So Loved the World
Stainer, arr. Lopez
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
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: There’s a Spirit in the Air (Hymn 433, vs. 7, 3, 4, 6)
Wilson/Wren
There’s a Spirit in the air, calling people everywhere:
Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.
When believers break the bread, when a hungry child is fed,
Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.
Still the Spirit gives us light, seeing wrong and setting right:
God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow’s life today!
May the Spirit fill our praise, guide our thoughts and change our ways.
God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow’s life today!
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing!
15th cent French tune, arr. Callahan
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