May 4 — The Way Forward

We are blessed by the eternal love of God’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. As the UCC, we rejoice that God loves all people. Let us worship together!

Today we celebrate open communion, so if you are worshipping with us at home, please gather the elements before the service begins so we may partake together.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Fairest Lord Jesus

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French
One: It’s springtime; and things are coming alive!
All: As life blossoms, we rejoice in the earthly beauties of God.
One: Spring is a worldly rebirth.
All: Imagine all of the possibilities for life with God!
One: We are blessed.
All: Christ is alive!
One: God enables us to follow Christ.
All: This very moment, God is walking with us!

*HYMN — My Redeemer — #324

I will sing of my Redeemer
And his wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross he suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Chorus
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy
He the ransom freely gave,
Chorus

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant pow’r I’ll tell
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death and hell.
Chorus

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath bro’t me,
Son of God with Him to be
Chorus

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French
Loving God, you graciously spread a Sacred Table for all people to enjoy! We offer you our praises today! Risen Savior, you fill us with life! Especially when no one else can, you raise our spirit. In your uplifting, renewing way, you fill souls with lasting joy!
As we now walk into the future, we hope you will join us on the road. Come near; and walk along with us. Open the scriptures to us; nourish the sweet honey of your Word. Open our eyes, that we may recognize the depth and richness of your grace in everyday moments, such as
The meeting of eyes, the sharing of a meal, the crossing of paths, and walking side by side.
Come alive among us now, Christ Jesus. It means so much to us that you are with your people in commonplace events and situations where we are ourselves. Thank you, Risen Savior, for loving us and for staying with us. Bless us with eyes and ears, hearts and souls to recognize you, Jesus! Be made known to us and through us, we pray. Amen.

*RESPONSE — You Are My All in All — Ivy worship booklet p. 99

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 30 — Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — Lord, I Want to be a Christian in My Heart — arr. John Carter

GOD’S WORD — John 21:1-19 —Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN — One Bread, One Body — Ivy worship booklet pp. 72-73

Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain

Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain

Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION [A] — Ivy worship booklet, pp. 10-11
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to share in the Sacrament at Christ’s Table.

*HYMN — Hymn of Promise — #277

In the bulb, there is a flower
In the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise
Butterflies will soon be free

In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

There’s a song in every silence
Seeking word and melody
There’s a dawn in every darkness
Bringing hope to you and me

From the past will come the future
What it holds, a mystery
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

In our end is our beginning
In our time, infinity
In our doubt, there is believing
In our life, eternity
In our death, a resurrection
At the last, a victory

Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE — What a Friend We Have in Jesus — arr. Bruce Greer