Fellowship of believers
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Christ's church is a fellowship of believers who care for one another as brothers and sisters.
People:
God has made us a family of brothers and sisters to share in each others joys and sorrows.
Pastor:
The church is a family where each must feel loved, and each must share their love with others.
People:
May Christ's church always be a fellowship wherein we manifest the caring love for one another that Christ has shared with us.
Collect
Gracious God, who by your Spirit has called your church to be a fellowship of believers, bound together in mutual care and concern: Inspire us individually to be caring persons; that together we may be your church in ministry to one another with sincere love and service. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We give thanks to you, O God, for your church. Within its fellowship we are nurtured in faith. But also within its fellowship we manifest our human nature, and wound the spirits of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Forgive us when we deny our divine nature, and ignore your call to care for one another. Help us to be a church within these walls, and around the world, which will be a true refuge where love and concern is obvious and genuine. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord"
"Blest Be the Tie that Binds"
"In Christ There Is No East or West"
"Jesus, United by Thy Grace"
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25
Theme:
Be patient in suffering
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Life includes many experiences which bring us undeserved suffering.
People:
We find it difficult to accept such trials. But we believe God will give us endurance.
Pastor:
Jesus was without sin; and yet he suffered on our behalf that we might have wholeness. His example enables us to endure suffering.
People:
Suffering has its way of bringing God's blessings to us. May God keep us faithful at such a time.
Collect
Almighty God: Your Son was without sin; and yet he suffered death on our behalf, that we might receive life. Encourage us by his example; that we too, may be faithful when hurt by unjust suffering. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are so sensitive to pain, Father, especially when we do not understand the reasons why. We find it undesirable to suffer as Christians must sometimes suffer; and therefore we have not received blessings that could have been ours if we had followed the example of Christ. Forgive us for our unwillingness to accept, as Christ did, our suffering. Give us endurance; that we may trust completely in your redemptive love and protection. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross"
"In the Hour of Trial"
"Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone"
"O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink"
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Gospel:
John 10:1-10
Theme:
Jesus leads his followers into abundant life
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We trust Jesus because he is faithful in meeting our spiritual needs as Lord and Savior.
People:
As a shepherd is faithful to the needs of his sheep, so Jesus is faithful to us.
Pastor:
Life is filled with happiness, because Jesus saves us from all that destroys the joy of living.
People:
We have tried the false gods of happiness, and have suffered their deception. But in Christ, we experience the joy he gives to those who follow him!
Collect
O God of joy and happiness, who desires to save your children from needless hurts and empty living: Enable us to hear your Son calling us into his fold; that we may enjoy the wonderful life of being in his presence. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We desire Christ to be our Shepherd, Father; but we have wanted freedom to choose our own paths. And that freedom has robbed us of the joy of being alive. Forgive us, Father, and draw us back into our Lord's love and protection. Renew us with life that is full of joy, assured by the presence of our Savior, the great Shepherd of his sheep, through whom we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"All the Way, My Savior Leads Me"
"He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought"
"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
"Shepherd of Eager Youth"
Pastor:
Christ's church is a fellowship of believers who care for one another as brothers and sisters.
People:
God has made us a family of brothers and sisters to share in each others joys and sorrows.
Pastor:
The church is a family where each must feel loved, and each must share their love with others.
People:
May Christ's church always be a fellowship wherein we manifest the caring love for one another that Christ has shared with us.
Collect
Gracious God, who by your Spirit has called your church to be a fellowship of believers, bound together in mutual care and concern: Inspire us individually to be caring persons; that together we may be your church in ministry to one another with sincere love and service. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We give thanks to you, O God, for your church. Within its fellowship we are nurtured in faith. But also within its fellowship we manifest our human nature, and wound the spirits of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Forgive us when we deny our divine nature, and ignore your call to care for one another. Help us to be a church within these walls, and around the world, which will be a true refuge where love and concern is obvious and genuine. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord"
"Blest Be the Tie that Binds"
"In Christ There Is No East or West"
"Jesus, United by Thy Grace"
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25
Theme:
Be patient in suffering
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Life includes many experiences which bring us undeserved suffering.
People:
We find it difficult to accept such trials. But we believe God will give us endurance.
Pastor:
Jesus was without sin; and yet he suffered on our behalf that we might have wholeness. His example enables us to endure suffering.
People:
Suffering has its way of bringing God's blessings to us. May God keep us faithful at such a time.
Collect
Almighty God: Your Son was without sin; and yet he suffered death on our behalf, that we might receive life. Encourage us by his example; that we too, may be faithful when hurt by unjust suffering. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are so sensitive to pain, Father, especially when we do not understand the reasons why. We find it undesirable to suffer as Christians must sometimes suffer; and therefore we have not received blessings that could have been ours if we had followed the example of Christ. Forgive us for our unwillingness to accept, as Christ did, our suffering. Give us endurance; that we may trust completely in your redemptive love and protection. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross"
"In the Hour of Trial"
"Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone"
"O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink"
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Gospel:
John 10:1-10
Theme:
Jesus leads his followers into abundant life
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We trust Jesus because he is faithful in meeting our spiritual needs as Lord and Savior.
People:
As a shepherd is faithful to the needs of his sheep, so Jesus is faithful to us.
Pastor:
Life is filled with happiness, because Jesus saves us from all that destroys the joy of living.
People:
We have tried the false gods of happiness, and have suffered their deception. But in Christ, we experience the joy he gives to those who follow him!
Collect
O God of joy and happiness, who desires to save your children from needless hurts and empty living: Enable us to hear your Son calling us into his fold; that we may enjoy the wonderful life of being in his presence. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We desire Christ to be our Shepherd, Father; but we have wanted freedom to choose our own paths. And that freedom has robbed us of the joy of being alive. Forgive us, Father, and draw us back into our Lord's love and protection. Renew us with life that is full of joy, assured by the presence of our Savior, the great Shepherd of his sheep, through whom we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"All the Way, My Savior Leads Me"
"He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought"
"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
"Shepherd of Eager Youth"
