Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 23, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “As you meet the needs of others, you will never lack anything.” | Lailah Gifty Akita
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Foundation | Owens
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!
We come to worship the risen Christ.
Praise to Christ, the good shepherd!
Alleluia, praise to Christ, the gate!
Alleluia, praise to Christ, the lamb!
Alleluia, praise to Christ, our savior!
Christ is risen still! Alleluia!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: The Church’s One Foundation
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
God of community,
you call us to a world radically different
from what we are used to.
You ask us to lay aside our ideas of “mine” and “yours.”
You show us a life where goods are shared,
where all are loved,
and faithfulness is shown through generosity.
But we cling to our possessions,
trusting them more than we trust you.
Forgive us, merciful God.
Help us to truly believe in your just and peaceful realm
and to work to make it so.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Christ himself bore our sins
in his body on the cross, so that,
free from sins, we might live for righteousness;
by his wounds we have been healed.
For we were going astray like sheep,
but now we have returned to the shepherd
and guardian of our souls. 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 Say it Loud | Hayes
Children’s Message
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.
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Hear the Good News of Salvation
Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: "Witnesses: Abundant Life" | Rev. Campbell
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 Psalm 23 | Nygard
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…
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: Lord You Give the Great Commission
Benediction
Postlude Azmon | Helman
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, April 30 - eggs
Sunday, May 7 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, April 14 - eggs
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