Service of Worship
Prelude
Cantabile in G
Filippo Capocci
© Public Domain
Welcome and Call to Worship
Call to Worship
We enter a virtual gathering space once again this season.
We worship together in spirit and in truth,
though not in person.
We pray, sing, and listen to God’s Word
despite the fear that pervades our community.
We trust Christ’s peace,
a peace given freely, despite our doubts and fears.
We know the Holy Spirit is among us,
blowing with a hopeful wind of change.
We feel the presence of Christ,
the one who died and rose again, and brings us eternal life.
We submit to God’s leading in this time of transformation.
We experience the joy of this Easter season
when we celebrate all God has in store for us.
Opening Hymn 314 — In the Garden
Verse 1
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
Chorus
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
Verse 2
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
Chorus
Verse 3
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Tho’ the night around me be falling
But He bids me go thro’ the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling
Chorus
In The Garden
Charles Austin Miles
© Public Domain
Children’s Time with Ms Becky
Joys and Concerns — Pastoral Prayer
Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.
Offertory – Heidi
For the Beauty of the Earth
Jane Laurie Borthwick | Jean Sibelius | Kathrina Amalia von Schlegel
© Public Domain
Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
© Public Domain
Offertory Prayer
God of righteousness, God of mercy: We have been called through the apostles to live in reverent fear — not a fear that immobilizes, but a fear that empowers us because we know how much is at stake. We know there are implication for what we do and what we don’t do. Dedicate the gifts we give this morning to do the things your heart longs for your church to do; help our eyes to be opened to where you would use us. We pray in the name of our risen savior, Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading – Matthew 19:13-24 (NRSV)
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Sermon
The Lorax Lesson
See player at the top of the page to listen.
Special Music – Mason
This Is My Father’s World
Alfred Henry Ackley
© 1933 Homer A. Rodeheaver. Renewed 1961 Curb Word Music
CCLI License # 656051
Benediction
Postlude
Christ, Our Strength and Consolation
Edward Broughton
© Public Domain