GREETINGS, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
O give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever.
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
And the one who was seated on the throne proclaimed, “See, I am making all things new.” Praise the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
*HYMN #417 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation Regent Square
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Holy God, You are coming to make all things new. We long for you to make us new. Sin has stained and scarred us and has become so familiar to us. We have worshiped you with our lips, but not with our hearts. We have followed you with our words, but not with our lives. We have developed habits of convenience; our ways have become well-worn. Forgive us. Make us new. Start afresh with us, so that we might go in the way of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
*RESPONSE
Thanks be to God,
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Acts 11:1-18
MOMENT WITH THE CHILDREN Rev. Patricia N. Harvey
SCRIPTURE LESSON Revelation 21:1-6
ANTHEM Come to the Banquet Chancel Choir
SCRIPTURE LESSON John 13:31-35
SERMON Surprise! Rev. Bill Shenk
DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION Hymn #592
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Nicene Creed Hymnal Page #15
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
*HYMN #520 Here, O Our Lord, We See You Face to Face
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
Let us pray.
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*HYMN #446 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken Austrian Hymn
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymn #376 vs. 1
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.
*POSTLUDE
