Prelude Voluntary on Gaudeamus pariter Robert Buckley Farlee
Welcome And Opening Prayer
Hymn There is a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place
There’s a sweet sweet Spirit in this place
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know that it’s the presence of the Lord.
Sweet Holy Spirit
Sweet heavenly dove
Stay right here with us
Filling us with your love.
And for all these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we’ll know
That we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.
Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
God of light, we, like all of humanity, prefer our darkness to your light. We accept lies as truth. The fellowship we offer to one another is a weak counterfeit of the one you offer to us in Jesus Christ. And we are your people! Forgive us. Forgive those who don’t even know what they are doing. Have mercy on all the people you have created. (Silent Confession)
Scripture Reading Acts 4:32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Sermon “Heaven on Earth” Pastor Margo Walter
Offertory O blessed spring David Cherwien
Richard Hagen, trumpet
Affirmation of Faith from The Heidelberg Catechism
Q. What is God’s will for you in the fourth commandment?
A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I diligently attend the assembly of God’s people to learn what God’s Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer
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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Hymn This is my Father’s World
This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
he shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass,
he speaks to me everywhere.
This is our Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
and earth and heaven be one.
Benediction
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