Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 8, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship:To pray and to worship is to confess not the abundance but the exhaustion of one’s verbal, intellectual, and spiritual resources. It is surrender. | Alan E Lewis
GATHERING
Prelude: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us | arr. Hayes
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.
Lift your hearts,
raise your voices,
and join the heavenly host
who forever sing:
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God,
in the presence of our enemies,
we divide and demonize.
When you face your enemies,
you choose neither contempt nor punishment,
but set a table and make provision for us all.
Our ways are not your ways, O Creator.
Have mercy on us, O God, and heal us.
Send our risen Lord among us again
to repair relationships and restore humanity.
Set us free to share the love of Christ Jesus
just as he does at his table.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the sound of the Shepherd’s voice:
Jesus says, I will give you eternal life.
You will never perish.
No one can snatch you out of my hand.
Believe this good news:
In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven, nurtured, and safe.
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Micah 6:8
*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: The 23rd Psalm (Dedicated to all Mothers) | McFerrin
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 10:22-30
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: He Leadeth Me
Second Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “He shall be their shepherd” | 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 The Lord is My Shepherd | Pote
The Lord is my shepherd, I have all I need,
She makes me lie down in green meadows
Beside the still waters, she will lead.
She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs,
She leads me in a path of good things,
And fills my heart with songs.
Even though I walk through a dark and dreary land,
There is nothing can shake me, She has said,
She won't forsake me, I'm in her hand.
She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes,
She anoints my head with oil, and my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and kindness will follow me,
All the days of my life, and I will dwell in her house, forever and ever.
Glory be to the Mother, and daughter, and the holy of holies,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World, without end. Amen.
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 . . . Give us the grace to stand with those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb and now worship at your throne in glory. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty. Guide them to the springs of the water of life and wipe away every tear from their eyes. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Let us be faithful disciples in this place, devoted to good works and charity and humbly serving others in your name. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Walk with those who are in dark valleys. Comfort them and protect them from harm. Show them your goodness and mercy. (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: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Benediction
Postlude: Marcato | German
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 8 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, May 15 - eggs
Sunday, May 22 - Gallon(s) whole milk
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