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SAINT PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Fleetwood, Pennsylvania

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Rogation Sunday

May 6th, 2018

GATHERING PRAYER

Dear God, We give you thanks for all of the ways that you constantly nurture and nourish our souls.

Through the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, we have moved into a new level of communion with you – a

relationship that forever reminds us of your love. Your love for us transcends all boundaries and

persists even when we hold back. Help us this day to focus all of ourselves – mind, body, and soul -

completely on you so that we might truly worship together and feel you among us. Amen. JWF

INTROIT

PROCESSIONAL HYMN "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Hymn no. 31

PASSING THE PEACE Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us share signs of Christ’s peace with one another. JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH

CENTERING

PRELUDE (8:55) "Friends" Michael W. Smith

(10:25) “Here I am, Lord” Dan Schutt Kathi Fry- vocal Soloist

(Congregation Standing)

Pastor: We gather in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: (singing) Amen!

Pastor: We are branches, rooted in the vine of Christ.

People: We come because we seek to abide in Christ. Pastor: The branches that remain in the vine bear much fruit.

People: We come because we long to be spiritually vibrant, alive, productive. Pastor: If we abide in Christ, then Christ’s words will abide in us. People: We come because we strive to be faithful disciples. Pastor: We gather for worship now to the glory of the One God:

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.

All: May we grow wildly as God tends us lovingly.

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All (singing) We plough the fields, and scatter

the good seed on the land,

but it is fed and watered

by God's almighty hand:

he sends the snow in winter,

the warmth to swell the grain,

the breezes, and the sunshine,

and soft, refreshing rain.

Refrain:

All good gifts around us

are sent from heaven above;

then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,

for all his love.

PENITENCE

Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful, will forgive our sins and make us new.

All: Your love is all around us. It is found in the rain, the sun, the wind. We see it

in the foundations of the very Earth that you have placed beneath our feet.

We hear the words of Your love through the reading and hearing of

scripture. We see it in the faces of those people whom You’ve placed into our

lives. Unfortunately, we often take so much of this for granted. We know

that the sun is there but forget to appreciate its warmth. We know that the

Earth is there, but hesitate get our hands dirty. We know that You are

always there, but we ignore Your presence. God, help us to truly appreciate

You more and forgive us when we lose sight of all that you do for us.

Silent prayers of confession

Pastor: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

All: Thanks be to God!

All(singing) He only is the maker

of all things near and far;

he paints the wayside flower,

he lights the evening star;

the winds and waves obey him,

by him the birds are fed;

much more to us, his children,

he gives our daily bread.

[Refrain]

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Pastor: Let us say again what it is that we believe.

All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

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 into hell.

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

(The congregation may be seated.)

WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SERMON TEXT John 15:1

(Congregation Standing)

Choral Response:

(The congregation may be seated.)

Let us say again what it is that we believe.

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 into hell.

On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the

He will come again to judge the living and the

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

(The congregation may be seated.)

John 15:1-8 NT. pg 109

(Congregation Standing)

(The congregation may be seated.)

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SPECIAL MUSIC (8:55) “Here I am, Lord” Dan Schutt Kathi Fry- vocal Soloist

SERMON “Pruning” Focus Verse: “He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit

he prunes to make it bear more fruit” John 15:2

(Congregation Standing)

RESPONSIVE HYMN “Sun of My Soul, O Savior Dear” No. 96

(The congregation may be seated.)

HOLY COMMUNION

OFFERING INVITATION

THE OFFERTORY "The Ground" Ola Gjeilo

(Congregation Stands)

All (singing) We thank thee then, O Father,

for all things bright and good,

the seed-time and the harvest,

our life, our health, our food.

Accept the gifts we offer

for all thy love imparts,

and, what thou most desirest,

our humble, thankful hearts. [Refrain]

Pastor: We celebrate this holy meal because Jesus’ ministry happened around tables:

tables where the unwelcome were invited in, where the powerful were taught and humbled, where the hungry were fed and the thirsty were given something to drink. In these meals God’s saving presence was revealed and made real, and a new form of community was given birth.

All: We come to this table to meet Jesus, made known in the breaking of the

bread.

Pastor: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to God. Pastor: Let us give thanks to God. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise

(Congregation May Be Seated)

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Pastor: God, we give thanks for your presence made known through your creation. We are thankful that it was your word, borne on your very breath, which commanded the first waters to yield the disordered order of teeming, abundant life. We are grateful for the waters of judgment which brought a new start for your world. We give thanks that you parted the seas of sin offering us a way out of bondage.

We are glad that you have rocked in the waters of Mary’s womb and that your

feet have felt the welcome of warm soil cupped around them. We give thanks for our lives molded from the same warm soil of earth and your

en-livening breath. We know your goodness in fields that hold seeds of grace and seeds of wheat in equal measure. We celebrate life with grains and fruits and cold clean water, set on the table that

all may be refreshed. We give thanks for the gifts of this table, the bounty of your beautiful earth, for it is here that all are gathered, filled with good things to eat, and sent into your world to proclaim shalom. We pray your blessings now upon

this seed and soil and we pray a special prayer for those who toil in the good earth to bring food to our tables. May you bless the farmers and as they begin this season of planting may your Spirit of good will and bountiful harvest rain down upon them.

All: Holy, holy God of love, the whole creation speaks of your glory.

Pastor: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion Jesus gathered with his followers to share a meal. He took bread that was to feed them, gave you thanks, God, and broke the bread to share it, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Come, Holy Spirit and bless these earth-born gifts of bread and wine. Bless us as we receive them that we might be made ready to feed your sheep, to return flourishing to the land, to heal the lame and blind and deaf, to unstop the mouths of the mute for your praise. Make us faithful in all things to which you have called us.

All: In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, God. We give

thanks that you have called us to serve your world and your people.

BREAKING BREAD, POURING WINE

Pastor: By this bread Christ body is fed. We are gathered and sent into God’s world to

proclaim shalom, peace. Through this cup of blessings our old covenant with death is broken. We are filled with new life. Let us pray now in the words of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying,

All: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into

temptation but delivery us from evil for Thine is the kingdom and the power

and the glory for ever Amen.

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CHOIR ANTHEM (10:25) “In Communion with Me”. Mary McDonald Bring me your brokenness, failures and strife. Bring me your worries and cares. I’ll give you my peace, my joy and new life, as together this table we share. This is my body I have given for you, as bread that came down from heaven. For this is my body which is broken for you. Take in communion with me. One loaf, one body, one spirit, one cup; the Kingdom of God here on earth. I am Lord of the Table and Lord of your life. In communion with me you are loved. This is my blood I have poured out for you. My blood will cleanse you from sin. The blood of the covenant which I gave for you. Drink in communion with me. One loaf, one body, one Spirit, one cup; the Kingdom of God here on earth. I am Lord of the Table, and Lord of your life. In communion with me you are loved. In communion with me you are loved.

THE SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS (We offer wine or grape juice as the symbol of the Blood of Christ. Grape juice is the light, wine is the dark. The lead Usher offer gluten free wafers).

BLESSING OF THE CHILDREN (Children who did not receive communion and infants are welcomed to come forward and

Receive a blessing at this time).

(Congregation Standing)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING ALL: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your

table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase

our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen.

SENDING

THE RECESSIONAL HYMN “For the Fruit of All Creation” No. 425

8 THE BENEDICTION

CHORAL SENDING

CHIMES

POSTLUDE "Let All Things Now Living" Welsh Folk Tune

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MISSION STATEMENT

As Followers of Jesus Christ we commit ourselves to:

• Enthusiastically proclaim and teach God’s love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Share God’s love with neighbors near and far.

• Live as a Christian community of hope, acceptance, and encouragement in a rapidly changing world.

WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S

• If you are visiting and would like to know more about St. Paul’s please fill out the visitor’s card located in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate. One of our pastors will contact you.

• There are assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired available at the sound board in the rear of the church.

• Adult Sunday school is held at 9 a.m. - Generations Class in the Lounge off the

Narthex. Also, Adult Bible Study is held Wednesday mornings. See Announcement

sheets in the bulletin for details.

• Children are always welcome in our worship space (as are the joyful noises that they sometimes add). For those moments when it might be needed, we do have a nursery room in the rear of the church that anyone with younger children is welcome to use. The room is equipped with a speaker that will allow you to continue enjoying the service. Please ask an usher if you need any assistance.

• Activity bags for children can be found on a rack in the Narthex.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Altar Flowers are sponsored by Janet Stein in memory of loved ones. The Organ arrangement is sponsored by Lorraine Heydt: In loving memory of our Mother, Eileen Aulenbach by her children Michael, Lisa and David. The Piano Arrangement is sponsored by Emily ad Lucas Mast in loving memory of a beloved husband and father, Benjamin Mast. The Bulletins are sponsored by Patricia Miller in memory of her parents Bill and Betty Marks. The Upper Room Publication for this month is sponsored by Gail Greth. Coffee Time Sponsor: Stacy Laucks and Deb Reinert Readers: 8:55 a.m. – Family Service 10:25 a.m. – Cassandra Batz Acolytes: 8:55 a.m. – Katelin Pytleski, Megan Eberly 10:25 a.m. – Wyatt Hetrick, Jonathan Maurek Ushers: 8:55 a.m. – TBD 10:25 a.m.- TBD Attendance: April 29, 2018 8:55 a.m. – 83 10:25 a.m. – 105 March Income Expense Difference General Acct $ 32,854.68 $ 44,607.61 -$ 11,752.93 Other Accts $ 12,475.01 $ 10,270.92 $ 2,204.09 Year to date

General Acct $ 90,734.49 $123,895.51 -$ 33,161.02 Other Accts $ 23,158.01 $ 15,410.28 $ 7,747.73