Fifth Sunday of Easter
GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR GATHERING & CENTERING
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“Prelude, Ostinato and Chanson” from “Suite Antique
~ John Rutter
CHORAL INTROIT
David Herberg, Director
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“Come Now, Worship the Savior”
PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray.
ALL: O Blessed Redeemer, you taught us that in you we will find life like a branch connected to a vine. Like branches connected to a vine, our lives and well-being depends on you. Thank you for your daily provision and care. Help us to find deep connection to you and each other in this time together. By the power and presence of your Holy Spirit, help us to know and live the bonds of love when we are apart; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*HYMN
“To God Be the Glory”
~ UMH 98
GREETING & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel F. Diss
TIME FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.
*HYMN
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Where Children Belong”
~ James Ritchie, TFWS 2233
LISTENING FOR THE WORD OF GOD
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Rhodes
1 John 4:7-21
Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.
Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. This is how we know we remain in him and he remains in us, because he has given us a measure of his Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the savior of the world. If any of us confess that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in us and we remain in God. We have known and have believed the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them. This is how love has been perfected in us, so that we can have confidence on the Judgment Day, because we are exactly the same as God is in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. We love because God first loved us. Those who say, “I love God” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars. After all, those who don’t love their brothers or sisters whom they have seen can hardly love God whom they have not seen! This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
~ John Rutter
SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Rhodes
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.
Reader: The Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Pastor Daniel
Deep Connections, Part 1
*HYMN
“God of Love and God of Power”
~ UMH 578
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
Invitation to Give
Leader: The Scriptures remind us in Deuteronomy 16 that “…Every person must bring a gift in proportion to God’s blessings upon you.” In response to God’s blessings in our lives, let us give our hearts to God anew, as for the first time. As we prepare for this gift of music which is offered to the honor and glory of God, let us pray:
ALL: Accept, O God, the offerings we, your people, make to you this day, and grant that the work to which they are devoted may prosper under your guidance, to the glory of your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“Aria” from “Suite Antique”
~ John Rutter
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH 94
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each other’s comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.
At the end of the time of sharing, we’ll be called to prayer with the instrumental:
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
~ TFWS 2193
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Sharing Known Joys & Concerns
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: … as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us saying:
The Lord’s Prayer, UMH #895
*HYMN
“Go, Make of All Disciples”
~ UMH 571
SENDING FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
Pastor Daniel
We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.
CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
Joyce Rhodes, Piano
“A Gaelic Blessing”
~ John Rutter
MUSIC TO INSPIRE THE JOURNEY
Mimi Carlson, Flute
Joyce Rhodes, Organ
“Waltz” from “Suite Antique”
~ John Rutter
- Please stand as you are able.