Worship Service – May 9, 2021

The Building is Closed and the Church is Open

While we have restricted access to the building, Peace Church is very much open to ministry—working to respond to our own congregation, as well as the needs of our neighbors and community.  Please consider giving either to Peace Church general fund or the Gabriel Fund – which is used to meet the needs in the community.

We recognize that in this time, people’s financial situations may have changed. We ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give.  If you use electronic giving, we thank you for your constancy of support.  If you would like to give through our online form, we would be grateful. For all the contributions from our members and friends—whether financial, time, or prayer—we ask God’s blessings on those gifts that Peace Church may be healing balm in this time when we are living in our own Gilead.

Back to Top

May 9, 2021 ⁂ 10:30am

Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Maggie Fink, ASL Interpreter
Bob & Kay Stevens, Lay Readers
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Greg Briggs, Interim Minister

Prelude    Sonata No. 8 for piano & violin by Beethoven (mvt. 1) Eli Bissonett, violin, and Jim Pospisil, piano

Announcements and Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

*Responsive Call to Worship    (from John 15:9-12)
As God our Parent has loved us, so Christ has loved you;
Abide in Christ’s love.
If you keep Christ’s commandments,
We will abide in Christ’s love.
Christ said these things to us so that God’s joy may be in you,
And that our joy may be complete.
This is Christ’s commandment:
That we love one another as Christ has loved us.

Opening Hymn    “Love Divine…”    (#43, verses 1 and 4)

Unison Prayer of Confession
God Who Breaks Open, we confess that we have closed in, boarded up, and cut ourselves off from others. We have made churches into boxes that only allow certain people in, all while stating that we welcome everyone. We’ve placed requirements on people who need help, that they prove it to us first, that they show us their need, their vulnerability, while we hold the power. Forgive us, O God, for we might not recognize Jesus if he came to us. Forgive us, O God, for not being open to the power of the Spirit that blows through windows and doors. Forgive us, O God, for hardening our hearts. Open unto us Your love and forgiveness. Break open our hardened hearts to receive one another graciously. Break us open, O God, to Your ways, made known to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Story for All Ages by Holly Bowen-Bailey

Special Music    Romance No. 1 for violin & piano by Clara Schumann

God is Revealed in the Word

God’s Word in the Epistles: Acts 10:44–48

God’s Word in the Gospel: John 15:9–17

Easter Halleluja!    (#236)

Sermon by Greg Briggs

Hymn    “A New Commandment”    (#389, verses 1–4)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Prayer for Mother’s Day (pg. 2), and The Lord’s Prayer (#9 P&W Songbook) from A New Zealand Prayer Book, Harper Collins, 1997 

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth!
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trial too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen. 

Choral Amen

Sharing our Offerings

Shared Ministry Mission Moment – Nathan Holst & Charlotte Frantz

Offertory    “Eli’s Tune” by Jim Pospisil

*The Thanksgiving    (Doxology)

*Prayer of Dedication
Take our gifts, Composing God, and weave a song of healing for the broken, of nourishment for the hungry, of hope for those who despair, and peace for those torn by violence.  We sing our praises, as we offer our treasures, as well as our hearts, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Closing Song    “Jesu, Jesu…”    (#498)

Benediction

Postlude    Sonata No. 8 for piano & violin by Beethoven (mvt. 3)