Chatham Circuit
St Louisville, Chatham & Liberty UMC
May 3, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Prelude
Bringing the Light
*Call to Worship
L: Welcome!
P: Thank you.
L: For some of you, it has been a good week and for others difficulties abound.
P: We need peace and healing for our souls.
L: Rest. Open your hearts and lives to the Good Shepherd.
P: Lord, pour your balm of healing rest over our lives. AMEN.
*Hymn: Lift High the Cross #159
Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
1. Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.
The hosts of God in unity combine. [Refrain]
2. Each newborn servant of the Crucified
bears on the brow the seal of him who died. [Refrain]
3. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. [Refrain]
4. So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory! [Refrain]
*Opening Prayer
Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 53:7 – 9
The Lord’s Prayer
*Gospel Scripture: Matthew 16:23 – 28
*The Apostle’s Creed UMH 881
*Gloria Patri UMH 70
*Message Lesson: 1 Peter 2:11 – 25
The Message
Commendable Before God
Bryan Moore
Hymn: His Name is Wonderful #174, 2 times
His Name Is Wonderful; His Name Is Wonderful
His Name Is Wonderful; Jesus My Lord
He Is The Mighty King; Master Of Everything
His Name Is Wonderful; Jesus My Lord
He’s The Great Shepherd;
The Rock Of All Ages
Almighty God Is He
Bow Down Before Him; Love And Adore Him
His Name Is Wonderful; Jesus My Lord
Prayers of the People
Offering in Response to God’s Grace
*Doxology UMH 95
*Offertory Prayer
Thanks, Lord, for all the wonderful gifts with which you have blessed our lives. Take these gifts,, these tokens and use them to build your realm, to heal the broken hearted, bind up those who are wounded, welcome the stranger, become the gate of hope for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
*Hymn: Near to the Heart of God #472
1. There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God;
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.
2. There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God;
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. (Refrain)
3. There is a place a place of full release,
near to the heart of God;
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. (Refrain)
*Benediction
You have been given your rest, now go and proclaim with your lives the good news of Jesus Christ. Be a Good Shepherd to someone today. AMEN.
Closing
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Prayer Requests:
• Prayers for Sandy, Nancy’s sister
• Prayers for Dick and Mary Ann,
• Prayers for Bonnie and Gerald,
• Prayers for Sally and David
• Prayers for Ellen and her husband, John
Birthdays this week
5/4 Bill Byrnes
5/5 Deb Soter
Words of Confession:
Patient God, you know how easy it is for us to stray. We wander off so easily. Forgive us, we pray. Heal our brokenness and our fears. Remind us again that you lead us in gentle paths and by quiet waters – when the paths are stony and the waves tumultuous, help us to remember your protection and your care. Help us to extend that same love and care to others, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Words of Assurance:
Merciful and loving God, you call us your beloved ones and you seek to protect us, but we love to take risks, emotionally, spiritually, physically. Call to us again. Help us to hear your voice. Give us hearts of love and compassion for all our dear ones who suffer illness and any adversity.
Be with those who travel, having no home to which to return, no land they can call theirs, no sense of ever being community again. They truly hunger and thirst in every way and you have called us to meet those needs – not to turn them away because they might be different.
You always accepted us, so let us accept others, realizing that your sheep of your pasture are awash with diversity of spirit and origin. Let us celebrate those wonderful gifts and learn from them for we ask this in the name of the Good shepherd. AMEN.
The Life of the Church Coming Events
May 6 – Bible Study, 2PM Telephone 508 – 924-5730.
Sermon Line:
The Sermon Line is 617-793-8516! Just call the number and a few seconds later the whole service will begin to play. You might want to put it on speaker because it is several minutes long. The plan is that at least until we can be in fellowship with each other again, that we will continue making the audio of the services available by noon on Monday.