Jesus does not leave us alone in our discipleship
Theme Jesus does not leave us alone in our discipleship. 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 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of God's name. Come and see what God has done. God is awesome in his deeds among mortals. Sing the glory of God's name. Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of praise be heard. Adapted from Psalm 66
*OPENING HYMN “Spirit of the Living God” UMH #393 ONE STANZA
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE Forgive us, loving God, for the times when we have not loved as you have commanded. Forgive us when we have neglected this commitment to you. Forgive us for times when our talk of love has been cheap. Open us to your Spirit each day so that we might have courage to lead lives worthy of your calling. Deepen our capacity to love one another in our church, in our families, in our workplaces, and everywhere you send us. In Christ's name we pray. 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 Spirit, 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 Spirit, 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 17:22-31 (NIV) It has been said that a better title The Acts of the Apostles is The Acts of the Holy Spirit. Whether preaching, teaching, healing, or baptizing, the Spirit causes the young church to grow.
Hear now the lesson:
Acts 17:22-31 (NIV2011) 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
The Gospel Reading – Introduction to the Reading.
John 14:15-21 (NIV) On the last night with his disciples, Jesus prepares the disciples for life without him.
Hear now the lesson: John 14:15-21 (NIV2011)
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God. People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
The Epistle Reading – Introduction to the Reading.
1 Peter 3:13-22 (NIV) First Peter was written to believers living inAsia Minor whose faith was tested by periodic hostility toward and persecutions of Christians.
Hear now the lesson:
1 Peter 3:13-22 (NIV2011) 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
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 rightsreserved worldwide.
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 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 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” UMH #384 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 Thought for the Day Love has little meaning outside of a commitment.