Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 15, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: What a friend we have in Jesus; All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry; Everything to God in prayer | Joseph Scriven
GATHERING
Prelude: Preludium | Hegarty
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Praise the Lord, all the earth!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise the Lord in the heights.
Praise the name of the Lord,
and the Lord’s glory shall be praised,
for people near and people far,
for people present and people to come,
for the young and for those wise with age.
Come, let us praise the Lord;
come, let us worship God.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Holy God,
you command us to love one another,
yet we hold grudges and refuse to work for peace.
You command us to care for all creation,
yet we neglect the earth
and abuse nature through carelessness.
You command us to walk in the ways of Jesus,
yet we too often walk our own way.
Forgive us, O God.
Guide us as we work toward
a new heaven here on earth.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Believe this good news:
Jesus loves you and forgives you and sets you free.
Know that you are forgiven and be at peace!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: John 15:12-13
*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: All Creatures of the Earth and Sky | arr. Page
All creatures of the earth and sky, come, kindred, lift your voices high! Alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beam, soft shining moon with silver gleam: Alleluia!
O fire so masterful and bright, who giveth all both warmth and light: Alleluia!
Thou rushing winds that are so strong, thou clouds that sail the heavens along: Alleluia!
Dear mother earth who day by day, unfoldest blessings on the way: Alleluia!
And all those with tender heart, forgiving others take your part. Alleluia!
Prayer for Illumination
Risen Jesus,
Send your Holy Spirit to calm our hearts,
quiet our minds,
and soften our spirits,
so that we may hear your still small voice.
Amen.
First Reading: John 13:31-35
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Help Us Accept Each Other
Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-5
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “See, I am making all things new!” | Pastor Alex
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 We Will Glorify the King of Kings | Paris
We will glorify the King of kings, we will glorify the Lamb;
we will glorify the Lord of lords, who is the great I AM.
Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty, we will bow before the throne;
we will worship him in righteousness, we will worship him alone.
He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, he is Lord of all who live;
he is Lord above the universe, all praise to him we give.
Hallelujah to the King of kings, hallelujah to the Lamb;
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords who is the great I AM!
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation, let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth, saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . . Make your home among us, O God. Let us be a true and trustworthy sign of the new thing you are doing. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Heal the suffering of your creation. Let all creatures join together in praise and wipe away every tear from their eyes. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Give us a new dream, a new vision of your amazing love for all people, without prejudice or partiality. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Be with them in their suffering. Wipe away the tears from their eyes. Let mourning, crying, and pain be no more. (names read) God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying for the coming of your holy realm of peace, when we will share abundant life with you; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
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: Soon and Very Soon
Benediction
Postlude: Allegro non troppo | Mathias
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 15 - eggs
Sunday, May 22 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, May 29 - eggs
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
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