Third Sunday of Easter
April 23, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “When we break bread and give it to each other, fear vanishes, and God becomes very close.” | James Allen
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude
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 hear the voice of Jesus:
our hearts burn within us.
We lift our voices to God
and call on the name of the Lord!
The risen Christ is here in this place:
Alleluia!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Eternally patient God,
we ask again and again,
“What should we do?”
And again and again, you tell us,
“Repent and return to me.”
Yet we have not changed our ways.
We fall into old habits,
cling to our own ways,
and take for granted the grace you have given us.
Once again, we ask you for forgiveness.
Show us the way forward
and help us return, once again, to you.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Beloved, hear this good news:
through Christ you have come to trust in God,
who raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are set on God.
We are born anew, through the living
and enduring word of God.
Alleluia! Praise to the risen Christ!
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
Solo If God is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us? (Messiah) | Handel
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 2:14a, 36-41
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Standing on the Promises
Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: "Witnesses: In the Breaking of the Bread" | 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 Rejoice, the Lord is King! | arr. Raney
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: We Walk by Faith
Benediction
Postlude
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 23 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, April 30 - eggs
Sunday, May 7 - gallon(s) whole milk
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