HEAD OF THE CHURCH: JESUS CHRIST

MINISTERS: THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION

Worship Celebration: Day of Pentecost, Sacrament of Baptism, Mother’s Day

May 11, 2008 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.

WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE     "Spirit of God"     Atkinson/Smith     "A Song of Hope" Moore     Joe Dilley, organ

GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Lawrence W. Kent

CALL TO WORSHIP     E. Chambers

Leader: Give Ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Iwill open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.

People: We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.

All: Let us share God’s story so that we set our hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.

*HYMN 487 "When Morning Gilds the Skies"

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious God, You are the author of our lives. Infused by Your grace we are shaped by Your love. Too often our lives do not reflect Your love and truth. Too often our actions narrate a story other than that of Jesus Christ. Too often our words of faith are not integrated with actions of love. Forgive us. Author us anew that the stories we live may share the good news of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Moment for Personal Confession)

*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

Leader: Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for

us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. If we are in Christ, we become new persons. The past is finished and gone; everything becomes fresh and new. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:

People: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Psalm 27 Pew Bibles, p.864-865

Leader: The word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

TIME WITH CHILDREN (10:30) Dr. Jerry W. Pitman

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (10:30) 

ANTHEM     "Breath of the Spirit" Peck    Chancel Choir

SECOND LESSON John 14:18-24 Pew Bibles, p.1676

Leader: The word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

SERMON     "Those Who Teach Us How to Live"     Dr. Lawrence W. Kent

WE RESPOND TO THE WORD

*HYMN 324 "Open My Eyes That I May See"

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed pg. 14 Hymnal

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; 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 AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERTORY "Sweet Hour of Prayer" Bradbury/Hughes

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 376 "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE "Shout the Glad Tidings" Avison/Simone

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