WELCOME
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
We will sing praises to the Lord with the lyre and the sound of the horn.
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
We will sing you a new song, O God, for the marvelous things you have done.
Let us worship God!
*HYMN: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (761)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
O Lord our God, you call us to proclaim the gospel, but we remain silent in the presence of evil. You call us to be reconciled to you and to one another, but we are content to live in separation. You call us to seek the good of all, but we fail to resist the powers of oppression. You call us to fight pretensions and injustice, but we sit idly by, endangering the lives of people far and near. Forgive us, O Lord. Reconcile us to you by the power of your Spirit, and give us the courage and strength to be reconciled to others; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
PASSING THE PEACE (you are invited to share the Peace of Christ as you feel comfortable doing)
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE: John 15:9-17
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
SCRIPTURE: 1 John 5:1-6
PRE-SERMON PRAYER
SERMON: The Answer
POST-SERMON PRAYER
ANTHEM
*LITANY OF AFFIRMATION:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.
For this is the love of God, that we keep God’s commandments.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love the Lord and obey God’s commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep God’s commandments.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
For this is the love of God, that we keep God’s commandments.
Who overcomes the world? Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ.
For this is the love of God, that we keep God’s commandments. And God’s commandments are not burdensome.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
(Joys): Lord, we praise you. Thanks be to God.
(Concerns): Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Hear our prayers, O Lord.
Hear our prayers, O Lord.
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace.
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE/THE LORD’S PRAYER
INVITATION TO SHARE:
OFFERING/MUSICAL INTERLUDE
*DOXOLOGY
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN: Blest Be the Tie That Binds (306)
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE
POSTLUDE
*- those who can stand are invited to stand