Message

Worship Information 5 th Sunday of Easter

We will be worshiping electronically on Zoom until we can get back to our worship center. 9:30 Sunday morning. Join us if you have the technology.

MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH

“A United Methodist Community”

Sunday, May 10, 2020

5 th Sunday of Easter

Theme

We know the way of Jesus through the faithfulness of those who believe.

PRELUDE – Bryan O’Lone

WELCOME –

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE

Cornerstone Women’s Resource Center’s in Salem usually conducts its BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN in the month of May. This year because of COVID-19 instead of distributing “baby bottles” for the campaign we are requesting that designated be sent to Mount Pleasant during the month of May the Missions Committee will forward the amount received to Cornerstone to support the ministry upholding the sanctity of human life in every aspect and sharing the Gospel in both word and deed.

Cornerstone shares the Truth with young women and teens who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy. The date for the completion of this project is June 1, 2020.

* CALL TO WORSHIP

People of God, come follow the Way! We want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. People of God, come seek the Truth! We desire to live lives that reflect the love and mercy of our God. People of God, come embrace the Life! Jesus is our way, truth, and life! We live our lives in Him!

- Adapted from John 14:6

*OPENING HYMN “The Church’s One Foundation” UMH #545 ONE STANZA

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE

O God, we confess that we have lost our way. We have not followed in your footsteps; we have not helped our sisters and brothers to find your path. Forgive us our distractions and set our feet on your path again. Empowered by your grace, direct us as we seek to follow you once again, walking in your truth and bringing to light your life. Amen.

*THE APOSTLE’S CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Reading from Acts - Introduction to the Reading.

Acts 7:55-60 (NIV) This passage depicts the death of Stephen, a martyr for the Christian faith who was charged with prophesying against the temple. His outspoken witness is the first which separates the early Christian believers from Judaism, and this cost him his life.

Hear now the lesson:

Acts 7:54-60 (NIV2011) 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.

People: THANKS BE TO GOD.

The Epistle Reading – Introduction to the Reading.

1 Peter 2:2-10 (NIV) 1 Peter is believed to be written by the Apostle Peter with the influence and help of Silvanus. In this passage, a mixture of images is presented. The first are used to characterize believers who are exhorted to faithfulness. The imagery then turns to Christ and the church.

Hear now the lesson:

1 Peter 2:2-10 (NIV2011) 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.

People: THANKS BE TO GOD.

The Gospel Reading – Introduction to the Reading.

John 14:1-14 (NIV) This familiar passage begins what is known as Jesus' farewell discourse and prayer found in John 14-17. It is John's interpretation of Jesus' finished work and the connection it has to believers when he is no longer with them.

Hear now the lesson:

John 14:1-14 (NIV2011) 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

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 “Message” Pastor John Mitchell

INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

The altar is open to anyone desiring to pray or make a fresh

Commitment to Christ.

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

PASTORAL PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYE

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 “Be Still, My Soul” UMH #534 ONE STANZA

*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