Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking God to do His work through me... God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies.”- Hudson Taylor
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude
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
Be gracious to us and bless us; O God, show us favor.
May your way, O God, be known upon the earth;
may your deliverance be known among the nations.
Peoples will praise you, O God; all peoples will praise you.
Nations will exult and shout for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity;
you guide the nations of the earth.
The peoples will praise you, O God; all people will praise you.
Let us worship God!
Salutation:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Shall We Gather at the River
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we equate our judgment with your judgment, and often consider our ways to be your ways. We define peace as the absence of disruption, holding our comfort as your aim and thinking our preferences reflect your way. Too often we act as if we are your authoritative witnesses, believing our worldview corresponds with your vision, and that our narrative contains your hope for the future.
O God, dislodge us from our sinful assumptions. Forgive our selfish views. Correct us with your truth and teach us by your Spirit.
Assurance of Pardon
It is the Lord who opens eyes to see.
It is the Lord who softens hearts to hear.
It is the Lord who returns us to God’s presence.
Peace, peace, peace—
you are loved. You are enough. You belong.
In Jesus Christ you are restored.
Thanks be to our God forever and ever.
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
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: Acts 16:9-15
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: O Holy City, Seen of John
Second Reading: John 5:1-9
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Come over and help us” | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith (Nicene Creed)
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
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!
SENDING
*Hymn I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
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