Worship for May 9, 2021; The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Happy Mothers’ Day !!!

Download MT Bulletin 05-09-2021 E6 here

Download TL Bulletin 05-09-2021 E6 here

THE GATHERING

Welcome and Announcements: May 16^th Joint Worship with Mt. Tabor PC at 10:00 on Zoom

Centering Bowl and Lighting Christ’s Flame (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

9:00 Prelude/10:45 Gathering Song: “Love Canon” ~ Pastor Scott

Lighting Christ’s Flame (Trout Lake 10:45)

10:45 Prelude: “Children of the Heavenly Father” ~ arr. Larry Shackley

Call to Worship 

This is Christ’s new commandment:

to love one another as he loves us.

And there is no greater love than this:

to lay down one’s life for others.

Let us pray:

Prayer of the Day    

Holy One, you made known to us the greatness of your love in Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us.  Keep us always in Christ’s love so that we may abide by your commandments and bear lasting fruit for the world; through Jesus Christ, our faithful friend. Amen.

Hymn of Praise: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” ~ Patti Moomaw (Mt Tabor 9:00)

Hymn of Praise #639 “O Sing a New Song” (Trout Lake 10:45)

Invitation to Wholeness

The Light has come into the world, for people loved darkness rather than light. Let us uncover our faults before the liberating light of Christ. Let us pray together:

Prayer of Wholeness

God of all hope and joy: in Christ you claim us as children, but we do not always follow faithfully. By the power of your Spirit help us to abide in your love and share that love with others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kyrie #437 “You Are the Lord, Giver of Mercy” ~ Pastor Scott

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 #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

THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination:

Merciful God, your commandments show us the way of truth and life. Created in us hearts that are brimming with your Holy Spirit, so that we may receive your grace and declare your love forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hebrew Scripture Reading: Acts 10:44-48

“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God!”

Epistle Reading: 1 John 5:1-6 (Trout Lake 10:45)

“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God!”

Gospel Reading (and Mt. Tabor 9:00 Participatory Reflection): John 15:9-17

“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”

Sermon: “TL 5-9-2021 Something Unexpected” ~ Pastor Scott (Trout Lake 10:45)

Please spend several moments in silent reflection

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Hymn of Response: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” ~ Patti Moomaw (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Hymn of Response: #802 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” (Trout Lake 10:45)

Affirmation of Faith: ~ From A Brief Statement of Faith, Section 2

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the broken hearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel….God raised this Jesus from the dead,…delivering us from death to life eternal.

Intercessory Prayers of the People followed by the Lord’s Prayer  

Call and response: “Lord in your mercy,” “Hear our prayers.”

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 First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 210, Trout Lake, WA  98650.

Offering of Thanksgiving with Poetry or Song:

Mother…
You filled my days with rainbow lights,
Fairytales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,
Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
For deep warm hugs and being there.
I hope that when you think of me
A part of you
You’ll always see.
           ~ Anon.

Prayer of Dedication:

Holy God, in Christ you have chosen us to be your friends and to know your will in the world. Therefore we pray in Jesus’ name that all we might offer may spread your love near and far.

SENDING

Hymn of Sending: #726 “Will You Come and Follow Me”

Charge:

Go out with joy and seek out those who abound with sacred questions, and be ready to answer their 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!

Congregational Song:  (Mt. Tabor 9:00)

Go now in peace            Go now in Peace

May the love of God surround you

Everywhere                   Everywhere

You may go.

Congregational Song: “Let There Be Peace on Earth” (Trout Lake, 10:45)

Question for Reflection

In our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus speaks of his extreme love for us, calls us his friends, and says that he makes known to us everything that he hears from God. How does thinking of Christ as our friend and lover—or Lord and Master—affect our daily living?

Household Prayer: Morning

Holy One, I begin today breathing in your love for me,

for others, and for the world.

Keep me mindful of all the marvelous things

you are doing around and within me today.

Help me to feel my friendship with Jesus

and his confidence in me.

Maintain in my heart the image of myself as a tree,

bearing the fruit of Christ’s love everywhere I go today. Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

God, you are both judge and friend.

Even as I review my day,

I give it over to you.

I let go of the good, the bad, and the in-between,

trusting in your care for me.

I am content this night to abide in your love.

I breathe in your joy and your peace.

Whatever I need, I ask of you in Jesus’ name. Amen.