Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21 2024 | 10:00am
Pastor Linwood Bagby, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: You plant seeds every single day, in the world and in others, with every thought you think and word you speak and action you take. You have influence. You're making a dent in the universe and you matter, in a very real way.
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
We come to God, our holy shepherd,
as we come to a green meadow.
God prepares a place for us,
and we give glory in God’s presence.
How excellent is this dwelling place
under the eyes of God’s care.
We turn to God in joy.
Our good shepherd provides for all our needs.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Blessed Savior,
you keep showing up for us in unexpected places.
When we face uncertainty, you are there.
When we worry about our tomorrows,
you are there.
And even in the doubt-filled lonely hours,
you are there.
Hear our prayer of thanks for your constant love,
which convinces us to sing aloud,
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.” Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Call to Confession
The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness, interceding with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession
O God, you have called us to love,
not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
You have laid down your life for us
and commanded us to lay down our lives for one another.
Still, O Lord, we offer empty thoughts and prayers
when the world needs our hands and our feet.
Still, O Lord, we fail to share our lives with the world,
hiding behind a myth of independence.
Forgive us, we pray, and by your forgiveness,
raise us to new life in you.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news of God’s promise:
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved. Acts 2:17, 21
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
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 The Trees of the Field | Dauermann
Prayer for Illumination
Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O dry bones, hear the world of the Lord. 1 Kings 19:1-10
First Reading: We Shall Walk Through the Valley
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
*Hymn: As the Hart
O dry bones, hear the world of the Lord. Mark 4:1-9
Second Reading: John 20:19-31
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “The Parable of the Sower: The Power of Listening” | Pastor Bagby
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come 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.
Offering Halleluia, Praise the Lord | Ray
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)
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 deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn The Bond of Love
Benediction
Congregational Response
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring, Good news to this and every age,
Till earth and sky and ocean ring. With joy, with justice, love and praise.
Postlude Higher Ground | Gabriel/Hayes
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!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, April 21- gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, April 28 - eggs
Sunday, May 5 - gallon(s) whole milk
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