For the week of May 18 – 5th Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer: God, You are in the song of the trees and the hungers of our hearts. You dwell in the pulse of creation; there is no place where You are not. We give You thanks for the expansive power of Your still-creating love. Amen. (Written by Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement)
Opening Hymn: #174 His Name Is Wonderful
His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King, Master of everything; His name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.
He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him, His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
Psalm 148, selected verses (CEB)
3 Sun and moon, praise God!
All of you bright stars, praise God!
4 You highest heaven, praise God!
Do the same, you waters that are above the sky!
5 Let all of these praise the Lord’s name
because God gave the command and they were created!
9 Do the same, you mountains, every single hill,
fruit trees, and every single cedar!
10 Do the same, you animals—wild or tame—
you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly!
11 Do the same, you kings of the earth and every single person,
you princes and every single ruler on earth!
12 Do the same, you young men—young women too!—
you who are old together with you who are young!
13 Let all of these praise the Lord’s name
because only God’s name is high over all.
Only God’s majesty is over earth and heaven.
Praise the Lord!
Prayers of Intercession: Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers for those dear to our hearts. We now pray as You have taught us: 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us, not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering spotlight: Mission focus during the month of May is Dwell Orphan Care. What is Dwell? The staff and volunteers of Dwell Orphan Care defend the cause of the fatherless. There are ways for everyone to contribute to show Christ-like love for children and for foster, adoptive and kinship families. Donate NEW baby items to support these children.
Offering prayer: Giver of life, You are the source of all good things. We entrust to You our gifts, that You would use them to make all know that with You, they are beloved, whole, and restored. Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)
Hymn of Preparation: #338 Where He Leads Me
- I can hear my Savior calling, I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling, "Take thy cross and follow, follow Me."
Refrain: Where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow,
where He leads me I will follow; I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
- I'll go with Him through the garden, I'll go with Him through the garden,
I'll go with Him through the garden, I'll go with Him, with Him all the way. (Refrain) - I'll go with Him through the judgment, I'll go with Him through the judgment,
I'll go with Him through the judgment, I'll go with Him, with Him all the way. (Refrain) - He will give me grace and glory, He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory, and go with me, with me all the way. (Refrain)
Scripture: John 13:31-35
31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in Him. 32 If God has been glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son of Man in Himself and will glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for Me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’
34 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are My disciples, when you love each other.”
Pastor Becky was on vacation Sunday. Dwayne Deska delivered an excellent message about the love of God; the love of our church family. If you have access to a computer, or if you have internet access on your phone, you can watch and listen to Dwayne. https://www.facebook.com/LightstreetUnitedMethodistChurch/videos/1019488963653571
Here is a prayer for your worship, first printed on Ministry Matters website.
Holy Father, sometimes we are just too busy for our own good. We pledge ourselves to hectic schedules, demands on time, energy, and resources that erode all too quickly. We seem to be rushing through life. The cries of those in need often go unheeded in our blur of activities which sap our energy, our resources, our spirits. Slow us down a bit, Lord. Remind us again that we are responsible for the care of this world, for reaching out and offering Your healing love. Help us to hear the words of patient love that You have for us.
When the news is loudly proclaiming anger, hostility, hatred, we are called by Christ to love one another, to boldly proclaim our faith in You. It is easy to love people with whom we feel comfortable. It is more difficult to love those who are different from us. And that, O Lord, is our dilemma. Teach us how to love unconditionally and accept universally. Help us to treasure each other for the wondrous gifts and talents each person has. Sharpen our ears to hear words of love when whispered and shouted. Tune our hearts to Your healing message of acceptance and compassion for all. Remind us again of Jesus’ words to His disciples when He told them that they should love one another as He loved them. May we take time to bear witness to that love in all that we do.
Help us to be the people of the Resurrection - who have been freed from the bonds of death. We place our lives in Your care, merciful Lord.
Closing Hymn: #395 Take Time to Be Holy
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
- Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
- Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.
- Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
The blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you this week.
