1

ORDER OF WORSHIP Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 28, 2017 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

– Mother Teresa

Earth's crammed with heaven... But only he who sees, takes off his shoes. – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

No matter who you are,

or where you are on life’s journey,

you’re welcome in this

United Church of Christ congregation…

*Those who are able, please stand. Underlined items 8:30 am worship.

WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE Prelude Simple Gifts Wilbur Held Pastoral Greeting and Announcements Graduate Recognition Ascension *Call to Worship One: As we worship together, O God, may we live together. All: As we live together, O God, may we witness together. One: As we witness together, O God, may we journey together. All: As we journey together, O God, may we meet together. One: As we meet together, O God, may we worship together. All: And may our worship be in you, O God, as you are in us. *Opening Hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name #91

2

*Prayer of Confession One: Patient God, it hasn’t been easy for us to be disciples or witnesses to your love. We get caught in traps of anger, impatience and fear. Our words and spirits become cynical and jaded. Yet, at all times, you are with us, guiding and guarding us. All: On this day when we celebrate the ascension of Jesus into heaven, we are reminded that we are not being left without guidance. The promise of the Spirit is given and in that promise we have hope and courage to become true disciples. Forgive us when we forget that! Forgive us when we act as though you didn’t care about us or about this world. One: We are called to be those who live the faith of hope and reconciliation, of courage and understanding. All: Lift us up when we have fallen, guide our hearts when we speak, for it is in the name of our risen Savior Jesus pray. Amen. *Words of Assurance *Praise Response Spirit of the Living God #259

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Children’s Message

All children in Pre-K through Grade 2 will leave following the Children’s Message for class in room 104. Children and Youth in 3rd through 12th grade remain in worship.

Blessing Song Go, My Children, with My Blessing #431

Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; you are my own. In my love’s baptismal river, I have made you mine forever; Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD First Reading Acts 1:6-14 NT page 110 Large print page 143 Reader: God is still speaking, People: Thanks be to God. Contemporary Response to the Ascension I Rise Maya Angelou

3

*Gospel Reading John 17:1-11 NT page 105 Large print page 136 Reader: God is still speaking, People: Thanks be to God. Sermon Vicki McGaw Hymn of Response O Christ, When You Ascended

Tune: Henry Thomas Smart, 1835. Text: Copyright © 2007 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Used with permission. This hymn is copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Discipleship Resources – Upper Room Books, 2009). For a complete list of Carolyn’s hymns, visit www.carolynshymns.com. Email: bcgillette@comcast.net

4

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE Naming of those in need of Prayer

Silent Prayer, Prayers of the People

Prayer of our Savior (in unison) 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Special Music Fantasy on Kingsfold arr. H. Dean Wagner Carillon Ringers

Call to Offering (Please participate in the Ritual of Friendship using the pad in your pew.)

Offertory The Lord’s My Shephard, I’ll Not Want Kevin Hildebrand

*Doxology (tune 46) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication (in unison) Generous God, with joy and confidence in your abiding love and presence with us, we present these gifts, tokens of our lives, as an offering for service in and to this world which you have entrusted to us. Bless these gifts and bless all who place their trust in you. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion (8:30 am only)

WE GO OUT WITH GOD’S WORD

*Closing Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus #585

*Commissioning and Benediction

Postlude Allegro maestoso e vivace from Organ Sonata no 2 Mendelssohn

Please remain seated and enjoy the Postlude.