May 24 Worship Service
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Download the Worship Bulletin Here
We Gather
PRELUDE
WELCOME TO WORSHIP WITH
THE PRESBYTERY OF NEW BRUNSWICK
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is God who made us, and we are his; we are God’s people, and the sheep of her pasture.
Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, and God’s courts with praise.
Give thanks to the Lord, bless God’s name.
For the Lord is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever,
and God’s faithfulness to all generations.
OPENING HYMN No. 643
Now Thank We All Our God
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices; who, from our mothers' arms, hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us; and keep us in God's grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION - We tell the truth about ourselves
O God, in a world that has been transformed by words like pandemic, quarantine, and social distancing, we admit that, in these days, it is even easier to forget about the needs of those around us. We leave justice to the side, thinking that we should wait for a time when things are what we are used to, failing to see that this may be our new normal for quite some time. We allow our worries and fears to keep us from seeing the rich fabric of all humankind. Remind us of the call to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, visit those outcast by others, and embrace the unhoused. Coming alongside others requires both compassion and a willingness to see your face in those that we deem other. This is always the work before us.
Burdened by the road ahead, we find ourselves yearning for what was and hoping for a return to life as usual. Inspire us earnestly to seek you so that we can better live out your call in our lives. In this spirit, hear the truths that we speak of ourselves in this silence…
And the congregation said Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON AND GOD’S LAW FOR OUR LIVES
Listen to these words that we may trust from 1 Peter: Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. (I Peter 2:24)
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Believe this Good News and live in peace.
And so that we may live in peace, we hear God’s word from the Apostle Paul: Rejoice in God, always—again I say it: rejoice! Make it clear to everyone you meet that you are with them, not against them. God is near—don’t fret or worry, but pray, letting God know everything.
And God’s peace, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
(from Philippians 4:4-9)
SONG OF RESPONSE Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
We Reflect
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Romans 12: 9-16
SERMON
Perseverance, Patience and Joy
Rev. Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos
We Respond
MUSIC MEDITATION
Amazing Grace Virtual Choir
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me; his word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
OUR GIFTS OF SACRIFICE and THANKSGIVING
Invitation
Continuing our worship, we will give back to God our offerings, gifts, pledges, and tithes by mail to our local church or online as it is available. We offer God our hearts, hands, minds and money as an expression of gratitude and our love for God and as a marker of our partnership with God through our local churches and as the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
Thank you for sending your offerings.
They make a great difference to our church’s work in the world.
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
We Are Sent
CLOSING HYMN I’ll Fly Away
Traditional Gospel Song
Some bright morning when this life is over I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away
Chorus:
I'll fly away, oh glory I'll fly away
in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly I'll fly away [Chorus]
Oh how glad and happy when we meet I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet I'll fly away [Chorus]
Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away
To a land where joys will never end I'll fly away [Chorus]
BENEDICTION & PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
And now the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all now and always. Amen.
May the peace of the risen Christ meet you where you are and rest upon you.
The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Share it!! It’s not for you to keep. Let’s share it!
POSTLUDE
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Thank you for all who helped lead worship this morning:
Welcome: Rev. Sharyl Dixon, Kingston
Prelude & Postlude: Vince Di-Mura
Call to Worship: written by Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen
Prayer of Invocation: Rev. Kathryn Mustaro, Grace of South Brunswick
Children’s Message: Rev. Melissa Martin, Hopewell
Confession: Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, Hillsborough
Assurance: Rev. Dr James Brumm, New Brunswick
Glory Be to the Father and Doxology: Mr. Peyton Dixon, Kingston
Scripture, Sermon, Benediction: Rev. Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos
Offering: Moderator, Elder Cherry Oakley
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer: Rev. Kyle Anderson
Passing of the Peace: Members of the Presbytery of New Brunswick