Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Erik Simon, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Cheerfully walk over the earth, seeking that of God in all people.” - George Fox
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Best Be the Tide That Binds Us Together | arr. Hayes
Call to Worship
Votum
This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and let us be glad in it.”
Amen
Opening Sentences
Children of God: welcome!
Welcome to this place of love and grace,
Welcome to this place of hope and perseverance.
God invites all of us to be a part of the beloved community,
God invites all of us to share in the good news:
We are welcome, just as we are.
We are loved, just as we are.
In gratitude for all of this, let us worship God.
*Hymn of Praise Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, help us. When we want to run away, when we want to turn our backs on love, when we want to seek immediate satisfaction and not long-term healing, help us.
Loving God, forgive us. When we have been selfish, when we have been mean, when we have closed our ears to the cries of others, forgive us.
Powerful God, give us the courage, the strength, and the hope to accept your grace and hear your call and follow in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The Law of God:
*Gloria Patri | #579
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. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Praise to God Enthroned in Heaven | Wetzler
Prayer for Illumination
God, descend upon us, we pray.
Open now our minds
So that the wisdom of your spirit
Becomes one with our spirit.
May we hear your Word.
May we know it in our hearts.
Amen.
First Reading: Psalm 148: 1-6
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: O Holy City, Seen of John
Second Reading: Acts 5: 1-11
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Love Enough” | Rev. Simon
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith (Taken from the 1984 PCUSA “Statement of Faith”)
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. In a broken and fearful world, the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives.
Offering All Creatures of the Earth and Sky | arr. Page
SENDING
*Hymn To God Be the Glory
Benediction
Congregational Response Christ is risen! Earth and heaven Nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation Where the world is still in pain
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna, everyone!
Postlude How Firm a Foundation | arr. Page
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED