Midweek Service of Word and Sacrament Victory in Jesus May 1, 2024
GREETING
The love of God poured into our hearts, the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the abundant life of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you.
CONFESSION
In the name of the + Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. | Amen.
Kneeling or seated
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, to you all desires known, from you no secrets are hid.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify Your name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Standing OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.
You are gracious and merciful, O God, slow to anger, rich in love. Receive our prayers as you have promised and uphold us by your Spirit, until all things, mended by your mercy, are made whole and well in you, through Jesus Christ, our healer and our hope. |Amen.
HYMN 595
Jesus Loves Me
Seated THE WORD
1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
DISCUSSION WITH PASTOR MARK
Chorus
O victory in Jesus My Savior forever He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him He plunged me to victory Beneath the cleansing flood
1. I heard an old old story How a Savior came from glory How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me I heard about His groaning Of His precious blood's atoning Then I repented of my sins And won the victory
2. I heard about His healing Of His cleansing pow'r revealing How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see And then I cried dear Jesus Come and heal my broken spirit And somehow Jesus came and brought To me the victory
3. I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea About the angels singing And the old redemption story And some sweet day I'll sing up there The song of victory
CCLI Song # 1259 Eugene M. Bartlett© Words: 1939 Mrs. E.M. Bartlett. Renewed 1967 Albert E. Brumley And Sons (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC) Music: 1939 Mrs. E.M. Bartlett. Renewed 1967 Albert E. Brumley And Sons (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2888121
Kneeling or Seated PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news.
Your Holy Spirit falls upon all who hear the word. Fill your church with the gifts of your Spirit and give understanding hearts to those who strengthen our commitments with our ecumenical and interreligious partners. God of grace, hear our prayer.
You speak and the face of the earth is renewed. Revive your creation, that habitats and every kind of living thing might flourish. Protect endangered species and help us to care for all your creatures. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Your world is divided and the nations rage. Grant wisdom and vision to world leaders, that they may seek justice, peace, and the good of all. Strengthen international partnerships and cooperation. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Your children are in need. Comfort all those who suffer, especially those afflicted by anxiety, depression, and mental illness. Help us to be conduits of your love in our care for one another. We lift up our prayers, eithers silently or aloud. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Your work is done in this place with our hands. Bless the ministries of this congregation, that we may embody your love for the world. Inspire those who plan and lead worship, council members, committee members, and volunteers. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Your blessed saints now rest in you. Give us thankful hearts for those who have gone before us. At the last, bring us all together around your heavenly banquet table. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. Amen.
Standing PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you.
Please share a sign of blessing with your fellow worshipers in whatever way is comfortable for you
HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Lift up your hearts. | We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We praise you for the heart of Jesus, so filled with your love for this earth, who on the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Gathered around this table, we your children unite in this wisdom: The earth is full of your glory. The earth is full of your glory.
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
AFTER COMMUNION
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen
Let us pray. | Shepherding God, you have prepared a table before us and nourished us with your love. Send us forth from this banquet to proclaim your goodness and share the abundant mercy of Jesus, our redeemer and friend.
SENDING
Through prayer the Spirit draws us more deeply into the beauty and the suffering of the world. We are sent, with Christ, to enter more fully into God’s love for and work in the world. This is our prayer “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
HYMN 836 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
BLESSING
Christ Jesus dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love, strengthened by the Spirit, and filled with all the fullness of God. | Amen.