“I am the vine, you are the branches…” ~ Jesus of Nazareth
Download Mt. Tabor Bulletin 05-02-2021 E5
Download Trout Lake Bulletin 05-02-2021 E5
THE GATHERING
Welcome and Announcements: May 16th Mt. Tabor and Trout Lake Joint Worship at 10:00 on Zoom
Gathering with Bowl and Flame (Mt. Tabor, 9:00)
Gathering Song: “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” ~ Pastor Scott
Prelude: “Amazing Grace” ~ arr. Joel Raney (Trout Lake, 10:45)
Lighting the Christ Candle (Trout Lake, 10:45)
Call to Worship
In the wilderness, water brings life.
Seek us out, O God, and take us to the water.
In the Word of God, the good news gives light.
Seek us out, O God, and fill us with understanding.
In the bread and the wine, the body of our Savior nourishes everyone.
Seek us out, O God, and give us yourself.
Here is the water of life, the word that feeds, the food of eternity.
We come to praise the vine that gives all goodness.
Let us pray:
Prayer of the Day
Wondrous Vinegrower, you make all things new in water and Word, feeding your people with love, joy, and peace. Lead us today and every day to the fount of new beginnings. Teach us to love what you have commanded and to prune what does not nourish your creation, in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn of Praise #393 “O Day of Rest and Gladness” (Trout Lake, 10:45)
Invitation to Wholeness
Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess to God and to one another our failure to love our neighbor.
Prayer of Wholeness
God of mercy, we confess that we have not borne the fruit of the Spirit. We have not loved others as you have loved us. We have denied the promises of baptism and cut ourselves off from you. Forgive us, restore us, that we may abide in your love and live out your mercy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Kyrie #437 “You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy” (Trout Lake, 10:45)
Assurance of God’s Presence and Passing of the Peace
Friends, believe this Good News: God is One and God is Three – Love constantly flowing in, out, and through; the gift of Jesus Christ for me and for you. For this we say: Thanks be to God!
Since God has loved us through Christ, let us love one another. Please share a sign of peace with those with whom you are worshiping.
Sung Response Glory to God Hymnal #591: “Halle, Halle, Halle” (Chorus 2x) ~ Pastor Scott
Celebrating Joys and where we have seen God at work
Sung Response: “The Thank You God Song” ~ Pastor Scott (Trout Lake 10:45)
THE WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
Come, Holy Spirit, that through your word we may be guided into the love of God for all the world. Amen.
Hebrew Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:25-31
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God!”
Epistle Reading: 1 John 4:7-21 (Trout Lake, 10:45)
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God!”
Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8
“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”
Participatory Meditation on the Gospel Reading (Mt. Tabor, 9:00)
Meditation: “TL 5-2-2021 A Pruning of Branches” ~ Pastor Scott (Trout Lake, 10:45)
Please spend several moments in silent reflection
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Hymn of Response: #523 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”
Affirmation of Faith: ~ From A Brief Statement of Faith, Section 1
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
Intercessory Prayers of the People followed by the Lord’s Prayer
Call and response: “Lord in your mercy,” “Hear our prayers.”
Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
Invitation to Present Our Offerings
Members, friends, and guests: Thank you for your commitment and your generosity during this past year! Your continued tithing practice and stewardship of our life together is precious. You can send checks made out to the Church, or in the case of Mt. Tabor, use the online donation button in the electronic newsletter.
Offering of Thanksgiving with Poetry or Song:
Hymn #538 “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” vs.1 only
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
This is the joyful feast of the people of God! People will come from north and south and from east and west to sit at table in the kingdom of God.
According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took bread, blessed and broke, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast that he has prepared.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
How can we thank you, O God? For sun and moon and stars, for breath and life and all things good, for your steadfast promise and your faithful love, for the day that is surely coming when all things will be made new. With saints, with angels, and with the whole creation, we join the ancient and eternal hymn:
Hymn Glory to God Hymnal #552 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Together, we continue: We give you thanks, Holy God, for Jesus, who came to be your living Word, to baptize us with Spirit and fire, to feed the hungry, to humble the mighty, and to announce the good news of your coming realm.
We remember how, when the hour had come, Jesus took his place at the table with the apostles.
He said to them, I will not eat this Passover again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Then Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. After supper, he took a cup, saying, this cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. Together, we offer this supplication:
O God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us – this bread, this cup, these your people – Christ’s body and blood, given in love for the world. Make us one in the Spirit, one in the church, and one with Christ our Lord. Make us gentle, joyful, thankful people, serving our neighbors, worshiping you alone. Keep us in the peace of Christ until you gather us at your table in glory.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever; and all God’s people said: Amen!
All has been prepared and the table awaits. These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Communion of the People. You are invited to share your own bread and cup together at home, then rest in the silence of God’s growing vineyard until all who wish have participated.
Prayer following Communion
Let us pray together:
We give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ, for the gifts of grace we have received from your hand. Now send us forth to reflect your light, proclaiming your saving death and resurrection until you come again in glory. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn of Sending: #538 “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” vs. 1 & 2
Charge:
Go out with joy that you have been fed and healed, securely abiding as branches of the true vine. Go and tell the story of faith that is given to you by the One who never lets you go. Seek out those who abound with sacred questions, and be ready to answer a mystery with love.
Benediction:
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. May God give you: For every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer. Friends, this worship has ended, let our service begin!
Question for Reflection:
What is your deepest desire? Jesus says that “whatever you wish…it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Spend time in the next days asking yourself at evermore profound levels what you most devoutly wish for in this life and the next. Then ask for it.
Household Prayer: Morning
God of all beginnings, you bring a new day, and you promise to journey with me through the hours. I thank you for the breath and strength I have, and I beg your help that I may use my powers wisely and with compassion toward everyone I meet. Let my questions today be a form of pruning to bring forth in me new understandings, healing, and good fruit; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Household Prayers: Evening
Sweet Jesus, in this night of rest, heal my broken places and restore my faith. You are my vine, only in you am I strong enough to face the darkness of this world. I thank you for the safety of my home and pray for those who have no shelter or bed tonight. May gratefulness overflow and compassion move me to wake again tomorrow ready to serve.
Scottrick - Postmodern Celtic Inspirations 