Communion Sunday - Meditation
Prepare the sacraments at home and join us in communion on Sunday.
MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH
“A United Methodist Community”
Sunday, May 3, 2020
4th Sunday of Easter
Theme
Jesus is both our protector and our source for abundant life.
PRELUDE – Bryan O’Lone
WELCOME –
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE
* CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Jesus says, "I am the gate."
All: "Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture."
One: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."
All: But Jesus came that we may have life, and have it abundantly!
Adapted from John 10:9, 10
*OPENING HYMN “Let Us Break Bread Together” UMH #618 ONE STANZA
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION, ASSURANCE AND PARDON
Minister: Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and who seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.
CONFESSION AND PARDON
PEOPLE: MERCIFUL GOD, WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE NOT LOVED YOU WITH OUR WHOLE HEART. WE HAVE FAILED TO BE AN OBEDIENT CHURCH. WE HAVE NOT DONE YOUR WILL, WE HAVE BROKEN YOUR LAW, WE HAVE REBELLED AGAINST YOUR LOVE, WE HAVE NOT LOVED OUR NEIGHBORS, AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE CRY OF THE NEEDY. FORGIVE US, WE PRAY. FREE US FOR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN. (Silent Prayer)
Minister: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven!
PEOPLE: IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST YOU ARE FORGIVEN!
ALL: GLORY TO GOD. AMEN.
The Reading from Acts - Introduction to the Reading.
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) Koinonia is the Greek word for what is described in Acts 2. The early believers shared a common life, not only out of economic necessity but also out of a belief that they shared a common relationship in the love of Jesus Christ.
Hear now the lesson:
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV2011) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
The Epistle Reading – Introduction to the Reading.
1 Peter 2:19-25 (NIV) These verses are addressed to slaves and present some difficult ideas, especially in light of our own view of slavery today. The fact the Christ is used as an example to slaves for living their plight makes this interesting imagery for both.
Hear now the lesson:
1 Peter 2:19-25 (NIV2011) 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
The Gospel Reading – Introduction to the Reading.
John 10:1-10 (NIV) Jesus' descriptive use of an actual sheepfold must have made vivid connections with his livestock-tending hearers, though it may be more difficult for us to imagine today. Regardless, the Shepherd reaches out to all the "sheep."
Hear now the lesson:
John 10:1-10 (NIV2011) 1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
MESSAGE “Meditation” Pastor John Mitchell
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
The altar is open to anyone desiring to pray or make a fresh
Commitment to Christ
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
IN THE SEASON OF EASTER
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
MINISTER: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
MINISTER: Lift up your hearts.
PEOPLE: WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD.
MINISTER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
PEOPLE: IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE.
Minister: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, and set before us the way of life.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
ALL: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD. GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.
MINISTER: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
By your great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of your Son from the dead and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Once we were no people, but now we are your people, declaring your wonderful deeds in Christ, who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended, he promised to be with us always, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples and said: “Drink from this all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
On the day you raised him from the dead he was recognized by his disciples in the breaking of the bread, and in the power of your Holy Spirit your Church has continued in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup.
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
ALL: CHRIST HAS DIED; CHRIST IS RISEN; CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.
MINISTER: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body of Christ, that we might be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, and one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever.
ALL: AMEN.
THE GIVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
Come to the altar to receive communion at the direction of the ushers.
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
ALL: ETERNAL GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THIS HOLY MYSTERY IN WHICH YOU HAVE GIVEN YOURSELF FOR US. GRANT THAT WE MAY GO INTO THE WORLD IN THE STRENGTH OF YOUR SPIRIT, TO GIVE OURSELVES FOR OTHERS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.
LOVING GOD THROUGH GIVING
OFFERTORY – Bryan O’Lone
DOXOLOGY UMH #95
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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYER REQUESTS
PASTORAL PRAYER/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. Amen!
*Closing Hymn “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” UMH #629 ONE STANZA
Hymn of the Day
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Omar Westendorf's text, paired with Robert Kreutz's tune, Finest Wheat, was the winning hymn in a competition for a theme hymn for the 41st Eucharistic Congress of the Roman Catholic Church held in Philadelphia in 1976. Originally named Bicentennial for the year of its composition, the tune was renamed to more closely match the text. As with other hymns that start with or have a refrain, stanzas may be sung by a soloist or the choir while the refrain is sung by the whole congregation. The tune lacks a common time signature; rather it moves between four and three beats per measure, according to the rhythm of the text. Sing with flexibility, yet with a steady pulse. Use a moderate tempo to allow both the text and the music time to breathe.
*BLESSING & SENDING
May the LORD watch between me and thee when we are absent one from the other, Gen 31:49
POSTLUDE – Bryan O’Lone
Thought for the Day
In what ways do we facilitate or deny others access to God?