Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 5, 2024 | 10:00am
Rev. Michael Granzen, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “The great paradox of life is that those who lose their lives will gain them. This paradox becomes visible in very ordinary situations. If we cling to our friends, we may lose them, but if we are nonpossessive in our relationships, we will make friends. If fame is what we seek and desire, it often vanishes as soon as we acquire it, but if we have no need to be known, we might be long remembered. When we want to be the center of attention, we easily end up on the margins, but when we’re free enough to be whatever we are called to be, we find ourselves in the center. Giving away our lives for others is the greatest of all human acts. This will gain us our lives.” | Henri Nouwen
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude O Worship the King | Wyrtzen
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The psalmist encourages us to praise God
for all the marvelous things God has done.
We join with all creation in praise,
for God’s love and faithfulness to us is endless.
We sing because God chooses us
out of God’s great love.
We choose God’s love,
which bears us in fullness beyond compare.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
You promise to complete us with your joy,
O Christ.
This blessed assurance is ours
as we do what you commanded
and live in the fullness of love.
As you love us,
give us the strength of heart to love one another.
Fuel us with love and joy,
that our petitions might fly to your ear.
May our faith bear fruit pleasing to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
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, whose love knows no bounds,
forgive us when we fail to reflect your loving kindness.
When we turn away from the goodness of your love,
call us back with the tender voice of a caring friend.
When we stumble over the gift of your grace,
lift us up with the strong arms of a loving parent.
When we are certain that we are alone in the chaos of this world,
shower us with peace, the gentle breeze of an evening rain.
When we cannot feel the flowing of your peace,
show us your love with the hands and feet of Christ,
your love incarnate.
Forgive us, risen Christ, of all the ways we fall short,
and teach us to be agents of resurrection in the world.
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 My Eternal King | Marshall
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. Ezekiel 37:4
First Reading: Romans 4:24-5:5
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
*Hymn: Spirit of the Living God
O dry bones, hear the world of the Lord. Ezekiel 37:4
Second Reading: John 15:9-17
This is the good news which we have received,
in which we stand, and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Living the Paradox” | Rev. Granzen
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Offering This is Amazing Grace | arr Rouse
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!
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
*Communion Hymn: God, Who Created Hearts to Love
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: Holy and right it is and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord our Creator, almighty and everlasting God...
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name.
*Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord #581
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of
your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of
the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Remembering the Work of Christ
One: Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. Together we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Memorial Acclamation
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Invocation of the Spirit
One: So send your Holy Spirit upon us we pray… Even so, come Lord Jesus we pray.
All: Amen
Holy Communion
Words of Institution and Invitation
One: The body of Christ is broken for you.
One: The blood of Christ is shed for you.
Prayer after Communion
Brothers and sisters,
since the Lord has now fed us at his Table,
let us praise God’s holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him,
who did not spare his own Son,
but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord,
from this time forth forevermore. 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 In Christ There is No East or West
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 Toccatina | Rasley
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, May 5 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, May 12 - eggs
Sunday, May 19 - 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