Watchword for the Week

Jesus says, “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as

the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides

in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.

(John 15:4) (Moravian Daily Texts 2015)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(Verses from Psalm 22)

In the full assembly,

I will praise you for what you have done;

In the presence of those who worship you

I will offer the sacrifices I promised.

The poor will eat as much as they want;

those who come to the LORD will praise him.

All nations will remember the LORD.

From every part of the world they will turn

to him; all races will worship him.

The LORD is king, and he rules the nations.

All mortals will bow down before him.

Future generations will serve him.

People not yet born will be told:

“The Lord saved his people.”

Hymn 198 * Let us build a house

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

(Children may leave for Kids’ Church in the halls next door)

PRAYER of CONFESSION

Jesus, I am not worthy

to have you come under my roof.

But only say the word,

and your servant will be healed.

Let us confess our sins.

God of all mercy, we confess before you and

each other that we have been unfaithful to

you. We lack love for our neighbors, we

waste opportunities to do good, and we look

the other way when you cry out to us in the

suffering of our brothers and sisters in need.

We are sincerely sorry for our sins, both

those we commit deliberately and those we

allow to overtake us.

We ask your forgiveness and pray for

strength that we may follow in your way and

love all your people with that perfect love

which casts out all fear; through Jesus

Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Hymn 493 * It’s me, it’s me, O Lord

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Hear these comforting words: If you repent and

believe in God’s mercy, your sins are forgiven.

Trust in God’s promises and begin anew your

life with God and all people, in the name of

Jesus Christ. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 John 4:7-21 NT p. 306 (303)

St. John 15:1-8 NT p. 138

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God – Thanks be to God!

Hymn 519 * Love divine, all loves excelling

SERMON Rev. Dr. Mark Burrows

(United Church of Christ, USA)

Hymn 448 * Shine, Jesus, shine

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,

his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy

Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated

at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge

the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS of the PEOPLE

PASSING the PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you, and also with you.

COMMUNION PRAYER

God be with you, and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to God.

Let us give thanks to God Most High.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

…With the faithful in every place and time, we

praise with joy your holy name:

Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty,

the whole universe speaks of your glory,

O God Most High.

WORDS of INSTITUTION

… we may continue faithful in all things. In the

strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves

to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you

have called us to serve you. Amen.

BREAKING of BREAD

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy

name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on

earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily

bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we

forgive those who trespass against us. And lead

us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the

glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

SHARING the ELEMENTS

(please come forward for communion)

PRAYER of THANKSGIVING

Hymn 562 Through the love of God

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE