Call to Worship
Jesus said, I go and prepare a place for you,
and I will come
again.
We gather in this place to know your presence
and your love, now and always.
Jesus said, I am the
way, and the truth, and the life.
If you know me, you know God.
We pray to know you more deeply,
that we may know God more intimately,
now and always.
Jesus said, Ask me
for anything, and I will do it.
Help us to ask for the right things, Lord Jesus Christ,
that we may fulfill your will, now and always.
Jesus said, Believe
in me, and Follow me.
Help us to worship you fully believing and following –
now and always!
Prayer of Confession
Ever-gracious God,
from generation to generation you call forth
faithful women and
men to be willing servants of truth
You fill us with strength and hope, Yet we find it is often
not enough. We pray
both for great faith and for easy lives,
But we know these things seldom exist together.
We pray only to avoid the time of trial
When we need also to pray for strength and confidence
to face the challenges that come with faithfulness.
Forgive us, God, for our limited vision and our feeble trust.
Make us strong like Stephen, so that we may rejoice in your
unending grace even
in the times of deepest suffering.
In Christ we pray. Amen.
Silent Reflection
Assurance of Pardon
Do not let your
hearts be troubled,
but share instead in Stephen’s vision of the heavens opened
and Christ standing at the right hand of God.
This glorious vision of hope is for all of us,
for we are forgiven of all that separates us from the Holy One.
Blessed be God, the giver of life and blessed be God’s people,
who rejoice in Christ, the way, the truth and the life.
Scripture Readings
Psalter Lesson: Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16
Gospel Lesson: John 14:1-14
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived
by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hades;
the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
oly
Benediction
Once you were not a people,
but now you are a people bound together in God’s mercy
and united in Christ’s service.
Depart from this place in peace and confidence,
to love and serve in the name of Jesus the Christ,
the living representation of God
– our way, our truth, our life. Amen.
If you would like to sponsor flowers for the Altar, please see the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex and see Chris D with payment. They are $14 for 1 vase or $24 for 2 vases.
We remember in prayer all who struggle with illness or recovery, including Regan Richmond; Alice Kender; Anna Mae Koons; Mary Horwath.
We also pray for those who grieve the death of loved ones, all active military personnel, and all veterans.