Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 29, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Who am I? This or the other Am I one person today and tomorrow another? Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others and before myself a contemptible woebegone weakling? Or is something within me still like a beaten arm fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved? Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine. Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine! | Dietrich Bonhoeffer
GATHERING
Prelude: In This Moment of Remembrance | Woods
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.
Before and after,
first and last,
Alpha and Omega,
the steadfast love of God endures forever.
Alleluia!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Holy and merciful God,
in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings,
and our offenses against you.
You alone know how often we have sinned
in wandering from your ways,
in wasting your gifts,
in forgetting your love.
Have mercy on us, O Lord,
for we are ashamed and sorry
for all we have done to displease you.
Forgive our sins,
and help us to live in your light,
and walk in your ways,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Neither sin nor doubt nor death,
nor anything else in all creation can separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus!
This is good news, in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Philippians 4:4-9
*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
Solo: Softly and Tenderly | Brown
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 17:20-26
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
Second Reading: Revelation 22:12-14; 16-17; 20-21
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” | 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 Pie Jesu | Fauré Blessed Jesus, grant them peace
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 . . . Feed us with good fruit from the tree of life and let us drink at the spring of your grace while we wait for the coming of the Lord. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Let the earth celebrate your goodness. Hasten the coming of your new creation of righteousness, justice, and peace. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Send us into the streets and prisons to share the message of the gospel with all who are longing to be set free. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Guard the lives of those we love. Rescue them from the grip of suffering. Let your healing light dawn upon them. (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: Live Into Hope
Benediction
Postlude: Moderato in C | Piel
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 29 - Eggs
Sunday, June 5 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, June 12 -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