An Order of Worship for the Lord’s Day
April 26, 2020
Third Sunday of Easter
Prelude
”Crown Him with Many Crowns” - performed by Michael Collings
Call to Worship – Psalm 116:1-9
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
Opening Prayer
Lord of life, by submitting to death, you conquered the grave. By being lifted on a cross, you draw all people to yourself. By being raised from the dead, you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin. Throughout these days of Easter, help us to believe and live into the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection. All praise is yours, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
”Holy Holy Holy”
Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, you raised Jesus from the grave to conquer the powers of sin and death. Yet we confess that we remain in the dark, bound by the old ways of doubt and despair. In our selfishness, we turn from you and from those you have given us to love. Forgive us and set us free by your resurrection power, that we might live into the wonder of abundant life given through our risen Lord. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
Even so, we remember the forgiveness that Jesus showed the disciple Peter and all the world. This is a word of hope for us as well: for when we repent and cast our cares upon Christ, he offers us his grace anew. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Message
Scripture Reading: John 21:1-19
Sermon – Resurrection Grace
Affirmation of Faith – from The Confession of 1967
The reconciling work of Jesus was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind. His cross and resurrection become personal crisis and present hope for men and women when the gospel is proclaimed and believed. In this experience the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to men and women, moves them to respond in faith, repentance, and obedience, and initiates the new life in Christ. The new life takes shape in a community in which men and women know that God loves and accepts them in spite of what they are. They therefore accept themselves and love others, knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, except God’s grace.
Prayers of the People
We give you thanks, Father, for the hope we have in the risen Lord Jesus, who is with us always, who is at work in our ordinary lives, and who wins us over so that we might live and love as his new creation. Trusting in his all-sufficient grace, we offer you our lives as well as our prayers.
Please hear us as we say thank you for:
The beauty of springtime in the mountains…
Roofs over our heads, clothes on our back, food to eat, and friends and family members to share life with (even from afar)…
All who strive to bless, help, and care for others in this time of need, especially those on the “front lines”: healthcare workers, service industry staff, and many more...
Please hear us as we intercede for:
Our family, friends, and church family from whom we are separated this morning…
Our neighbors in need in Jackson County and Western North Carolina…
All who are hungry, hurting, grieving, depressed, anxious, and afraid…
Those who are infected and affected by the coronavirus, who find their lives upended…
Those in leadership in our community, county, state, and country…
Our fellow Christians across the globe who endeavor to share the gospel and bring healing, justice, and peace…
We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:
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.
Tithes and Offerings
With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord. (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)
Offertory
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” - arranged and performed by Margaret Hale
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Closing Song
”Jesus Paid It All”
Benediction
May the peace of the risen Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.