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4th Sunday of Easter
Mother's Day
05/11/2025 - 10:30 pm
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CENTERING MUSIC Interlude No. 5 by Paul A. Tate
MOMENT OF HOPE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Loving, compassionate parent-God,
As a mother hen gathers her chicks,
so you draw the whole human family to yourself.
Bring us together now, God, that we may today and forever be united under your wing in all our sorrows and joys. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN #7 Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth
PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE
Loving God, we know your love because we have mothers.
We thank you for the mothers who carried us in their wombs, nourishing, protecting, and bringing us into the world.
We thank you for the mothers who did not give birth to us, yet loved us just the same.
With gratitude we remember their words of encouragement when we have felt unsure or afraid;
we thank you for their kindness when the world has treated us unkindly;
we thank you for their soft, comforting arms and the gentle way they kissed away our tears;
we thank you that they protected us with the fierceness of a lioness protecting her cubs;
we thank you for the times when they corrected us rather than letting us continue down wrong paths.
Help us to live so that their investment in us might not be in vain.
We honor our mothers with lives of service to you in the name of the Risen Christ, for it is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
SONG OF RENEWAL #240 Refrain
Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen lord, alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE
God’s love for us is beyond all measure!
Thanks be to God! Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE
Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And with you also.
Pastor: Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)
ANTHEM "Shout Amen!" by Jay Althouse.
BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY
Today’s Story “The Story of the Easter Eggs”
Kathleen Krentz & Joyclyn Van
Leader: And as we continue our worship…
Congregation: May God be with you there.
Children: May God be with you here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: Lord in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURES Genesis 16:1-15; Genesis 21:8-22
RESPONSE
Reader: The word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively
Pastor: May the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
All: Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord,
Our rock and our redeemer. Amen
SERMON Hagar
MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #803 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
MOMENT OF THANKS
OFFERING Apres un Reve by Bussine
sung by Jasmyn Barkley
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY Sung to: All Creatures of our God and King
Praise God the giver and the gift,
Hearts, minds and voices now uplift:
Allelulia! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Breath of glad surprise,
Freeing uplifting opening eyes,
Three in Oneness, Love community,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Dear God, out of your great love for us you have provided for our needs.
There is food for our tables, clothes to cover us, a roof over our heads and someone to love us. For these gifts we are grateful.
Bless now, our tithes and offerings, we ask, so that they may be used to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN You Formed Us In Your Image (see insert)
You Formed Us in Your Image, Lord
GREENSLEEVES 8.7.8.7 with Refrain ("What Child Is This?")
You formed us in your image, Lord;
You call us your own children.
In you, each one is loved, adored —
Unique among the millions.
Bless, Lord, the families
Who know the joy: Christ claims and frees!
Bless, too, the ones who weep,
Forgetting that you love them.
You made our homes to honor you
With love the strong foundation.
In serving God and neighbor too,
We find our life's vocation.
Bless families large and small
Who love and serve you when you call.
Bless, too, the ones who fear —
Whose trust and love are shattered.
Christ loved and honored family,
Yet showed us what is greater.
He taught a higher loyalty
To God our good Creator.
Bless, Lord, the ones who long
To build up homes where faith is strong.
Bless children, women, men
Who risk to serve your kingdom.
In home and church our faith is formed;
We learn your love and caring.
From here we're called to face the storm,
Your love and justice bearing.
Each day your Spirit sends!
We go to strangers, neighbors, friends.
Peace, justice, joy we bring
To all your human family.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE Feeling Good by Bricusse and Newley,
sung by Jasmyn Barkley