Fifth Sunday of Easter
Prelude “In Heavenly Love Abiding” (James Pethel)
Congregational Welcome
Choral Introit “Sing out a joyful song” (Dale Wood)
Call to Worship
*Opening Hymn #422 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
*Unison Prayer of Preparation and Love
One voice: In John’s Gospel, Jesus says “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Assembling in Jesus’ name, let us pray and receive and share God’s love.
All: O God, our God, be with us now and remind us also that we are yours. We know your name and you know us as we are, loving us just this way, yet far too much to leave us this way. So be with us in worship and empower us to open our minds, our hearts, and our eyes to recognize our own needs, and to perceive those of the world around us. Open us in such a way that there is space for the Holy Spirit as well as space for our neighbors, so that we find ways to love one another, in Jesus’ way. Amen.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
*Response in Praise
Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is Risen! Hush in wonder; All creation is amazed.
In the desert all-surrounding, see, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding, Bring a taste of love unknown.
*Sharing of Peace
The Epistle Reading 1 Peter 1: 2-10
The Gospel Reading John 14: 1-14
The Communion Meditation The Rev. Kenneth F. Baily
Call to Offering
Choral Offering “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Bach, arr. Allen)
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Christ the word in flesh born low,
Praise Holy Spirit evermore,
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
*Hymn Response #508 For the Bread Which You Have Broken
Celebration of Holy Communion
All: For this table is spread for you and for me that we might know that God has come to us and shared our common lot and invited us to receive life anew. Indeed, God has triumphed even over death. So we come to this table for thanksgiving, for grace, and for God’s presence, for peace.
Leader: Let us unite our voices in preparation. God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God!
Leader: Let us praise God, saying together:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
The Lord’s Prayer
“Our Father and Mother…trespasses…”
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn #430 Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!
*Benediction
*Benediction Response “God be with you” (Dale Wood)
Postlude “Jubilee” (Fred B. Binckes)
* Those who are able please stand
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Our worship is “masks optional.” We continue to be careful,
our leaders are vaccinated, and our choir continues with masks.
We now pass plates for our offering. Meanwhile, you are welcome to use our website for any offerings; and thank you.
Thanks to worship leaders Kenneth Baily, Wendy Donnell,Yevgenia Semeina, Jan Zimmerman, Isabelle Draper,Carol Jensen, Melissa Dietrich, Yumiko Matsuoka, and Misha Hill.
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are, you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Would you like to learn more about membership at NHCC? Contact Ken Baily or any Deacon (readers and welcomers).