Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 11, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Something to consider when your life is interrupted... In every interruption, God is up to something.” -Fr. Bernardo Lara
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord is our shepherd;
we lack nothing.
Though we may walk through the darkest valley,
we fear no evil; for God is with us.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us
all the days of our lives,
and we shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.
Let us worship God!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Crown Him with Many Crowns
Call to Confession
Even if we walk in the darkest of valleys, we have nothing to fear, for God is with us.
Let us stand before the throne of the Lamb with confidence, trusting in God’s desire to redeem and restore us.
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, in the presence of our enemies, we divide and demonize. When you face our enemies, you choose neither contempt nor punishment, but set a table and make provision for us all. Our ways are not your ways, O Creator, and they are an affront to the work of your hands. Have mercy on us, O God, and heal us. Send our risen Lord among us again to repair relationships and restore humanity. Set us free to share the love of Christ Jesus just as he does at his table.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the sound of your Shepherd’s voice:
Jesus says, I give you eternal life. You will never perish.
No one can snatch you out of my hand. Believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven, nurtured, and safe.
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 O Love | Hagenberg
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
First Reading: John 10:22-30
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
Second Reading: Acts 9:36-43
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “This became known… and many believed…” | Rev. Campbell
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 Where is this Gift of Heaven? | Martin
SENDING
*Hymn Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
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
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