Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series V, Cycle A
First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60
Theme: Valor
Call To Worship
The worst they could do to the apostle Stephen was to kill him, yet he prayed to God not to hold it against them. Can we possibly comprehend the inner strength of Christian martyrs who suffered much to further the faith we also profess?
Collect
Hear our prayers, O God, for those around the world who must suffer in the name of their faith. We pray for their continued valor and courage. We pray also for those who harass and torment them. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Gracious God, teach us to stand up for what is right and worthy. Help us to be brave when we are asked to do difficult tasks or are sent on upsetting missions. Guide us so we will know what merits sacrifice. In the name of Christ. Amen.
32A Hymns
"Faith Of [Our Fathers][The Martyrs]" Tune: ST. CATHERINE
"Bless [God][The Lord], O My Soul" Tune: SPRING WOODS
"For The Brave Of Every Race" Tune: SALZBURG OR "When Stephen, Full Of Power And Grace" Tune: WELLINGTON SQUARE
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Theme: Cornerstones
Call To Worship
Leader: Come, people of God. Come, you who are precious to God. Come, you who have received mercy. Be glad that God is good. Know that you are welcome here in the name of God, our foundation and cornerstone.
People: We come with certainty, confidence, and hope.
All: Praise to Christ, cornerstone of our faith.
Collect
We would return to the infrastructure of our faith. We would remember the cement that hope and trust in you provides. Let us be as earnest in our building of faith foundations as we are in grounding our life work. In Christ's name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
When our lives lack design, we stumble around in darkness. Once our foundations are firm, chosen stones become safe, identifiable markers. Lead us, Holy Parent, to recognize these foundation stones with a tap of the toe and to know the serenity of finding home. Amen.
32A Hymns
"We Would Be Building" Tune: FINLANDIA
"God, Creation's Great Designer" Tune: NEW REFORMATION
"Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation" Tune: REGENT SQUARE
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel: John 14:1-14
Theme: Don't Be Troubled
Call To Worship
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." In a world filled with deception, misguided goals, and wrong motives, we still can trust these comforting words. Praise be to God.
Collect
You sent Jesus the Christ to show us the way, the truth, and the life. When our trust falters, you offer the example of Jesus' works, his words, and his life. Always, O God, you send us your comfort and quiet assurance, and we are grateful. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
With your comforting words, O God, you anticipate our fears of the unknown. You show us the way through Jesus the Christ who is also the truth and the life. Strengthen our determination to study the words, the work, and the life of Jesus so we might come confidently to you through him. Amen.
32A Hymns
"Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life" Tune: THE CALL
"Thou Hidden Source Of Calm Repose" or "I Sing The Praise Of Love Almighty" Tune: ST. PETERSBURG
"Not As The World Gives, Do You Give" Tune: TOULON or ELLERS
Theme: Valor
Call To Worship
The worst they could do to the apostle Stephen was to kill him, yet he prayed to God not to hold it against them. Can we possibly comprehend the inner strength of Christian martyrs who suffered much to further the faith we also profess?
Collect
Hear our prayers, O God, for those around the world who must suffer in the name of their faith. We pray for their continued valor and courage. We pray also for those who harass and torment them. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Gracious God, teach us to stand up for what is right and worthy. Help us to be brave when we are asked to do difficult tasks or are sent on upsetting missions. Guide us so we will know what merits sacrifice. In the name of Christ. Amen.
32A Hymns
"Faith Of [Our Fathers][The Martyrs]" Tune: ST. CATHERINE
"Bless [God][The Lord], O My Soul" Tune: SPRING WOODS
"For The Brave Of Every Race" Tune: SALZBURG OR "When Stephen, Full Of Power And Grace" Tune: WELLINGTON SQUARE
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Theme: Cornerstones
Call To Worship
Leader: Come, people of God. Come, you who are precious to God. Come, you who have received mercy. Be glad that God is good. Know that you are welcome here in the name of God, our foundation and cornerstone.
People: We come with certainty, confidence, and hope.
All: Praise to Christ, cornerstone of our faith.
Collect
We would return to the infrastructure of our faith. We would remember the cement that hope and trust in you provides. Let us be as earnest in our building of faith foundations as we are in grounding our life work. In Christ's name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
When our lives lack design, we stumble around in darkness. Once our foundations are firm, chosen stones become safe, identifiable markers. Lead us, Holy Parent, to recognize these foundation stones with a tap of the toe and to know the serenity of finding home. Amen.
32A Hymns
"We Would Be Building" Tune: FINLANDIA
"God, Creation's Great Designer" Tune: NEW REFORMATION
"Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation" Tune: REGENT SQUARE
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel: John 14:1-14
Theme: Don't Be Troubled
Call To Worship
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." In a world filled with deception, misguided goals, and wrong motives, we still can trust these comforting words. Praise be to God.
Collect
You sent Jesus the Christ to show us the way, the truth, and the life. When our trust falters, you offer the example of Jesus' works, his words, and his life. Always, O God, you send us your comfort and quiet assurance, and we are grateful. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
With your comforting words, O God, you anticipate our fears of the unknown. You show us the way through Jesus the Christ who is also the truth and the life. Strengthen our determination to study the words, the work, and the life of Jesus so we might come confidently to you through him. Amen.
32A Hymns
"Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life" Tune: THE CALL
"Thou Hidden Source Of Calm Repose" or "I Sing The Praise Of Love Almighty" Tune: ST. PETERSBURG
"Not As The World Gives, Do You Give" Tune: TOULON or ELLERS
