Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 22, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Father in heaven, when the thought of you wakes in our hearts, let it not wake like a frightened bird that flies about in dismay, but like a child waking from his sleep with a heavenly smile. | Soren Kierkegaard
GATHERING
Prelude: Morning Hymn | Pethel
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.
God’s goodness is breaking into the world.
We do not expect the Spirit’s movement.
God gathers in those we judged to be outsiders.
We witness this in-breaking as healing, wholeness, restoration, and peace.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Shall We Gather at the River
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God,
our sins are too heavy to carry,
too real to hide,
and too deep to undo.
Forgive what our lips tremble to name,
what our hearts can no longer bear,
and what has become for us
a consuming fire of judgment.
Set us free from a past we cannot change;
open us to a future in which we can be changed;
and grant us grace
to grow more and more in your likeness and image;
through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
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: Philippians 2:1-5
*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: Dona Nobis Pacem | Lantz
Dona nobis pacem, Grant us your peace
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: Psalm 67
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
Second Reading: Revelation 21:10; 21:22-22:5
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “The Lord their God will be their light!” | 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 I Know the Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me | Paris
Oh, I know the Lord has laid his hands on me.
Did ever you see the like before, King Jesus preachin' to the poor?
I know the Lord has laid his hands on me.
Oh, wasn't that a happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away?
I know the Lord has laid his hands on me.
The Lord has done just what he said, he healed the sick and raised the dead.
I know the Lord has laid his hands on me.
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 . . . Open our hearts to your word of life so that we may eagerly receive your truth and devote our lives to your service. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Be gracious and bless the earth. Let your rule of equity and justice prevail among all the nations. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Be the Lord and light of this city. Open its gates to all who need shelter and let this place become a temple of peace. God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Stir up a sense of compassion in us. Speak your word of grace and healing to all who want to be made well. (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: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Benediction
Postlude: Toccata | Young
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 22 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, May 29 - Eggs
Sunday, June 5 - 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