May 17, 2020 - Sixth Sunday of Easter : God is present with us

Prelude: John Bacchus Dykes: Holy Holy Holy played by Stephen Buzard

Creator God, You have promised to be with us throughout our journey of faith. In the power of Your Holy Spirit You enliven our hearts to see the Truth of Your kingdom and Your presence with us. Shower onto us Your Holy Spirit in this time of worship that we may encounter You, the Living God who loves us and will never forsake us. We desire to know without doubts that You are our Advocate who is there to defend us and guide us through our journey of faith. Help us know that we are not alone, even in this time and era. Assure us, once more, that You hear the true prayers of our hearts, even the ones that we are reluctant to name before You, or anyone else. Let us see Your faithfulness and love toward us.

Especially we pray for

our loved ones - keep them: keep them in health, in safety, in comfort, in Your care

our health care workers: who risk their own safety for our health

our emergency responders: who, also risk their own safety for us

those who have lost their jobs and are struggling for finances

for business owners in our midst who may lose their business

for us who feel constrained, or emotionally distressed by our time and era

for any who need to know Your love for them in this hurting world.

We also lift to You those who need comfort as they mourn their loved ones. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, The comforter, who would remind us of Your promises that Nothing in life, or in Death, things present, nor things to come, nor angel or demons within our lives, nor anything in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from Your love in Jesus the Christ, our Lord.

The Lord's Prayer

Opening Hymn: No. 384 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Call to Worship: Psalm 66: 8, 19, 20 [adapted]

Pastor: Bless our God, O peoples;
People: Let the sound of God's praise be heard.
Pastor: Truly God has listened;
People: God has given heed to the words of our prayers.
Pastor: Blessed be God, because God has not rejected our prayers;
People: Or removed God's steadfast love from us.

Choral Anthem: Bernadette Farrell: Christ, Be Our Light

Unison Prayer:

God of our hearts, You are present with us as we journey through our lives. Sometimes we encounter things that stretch our understanding of Your kingdom and ways, that don't match our hopes, and prayers. Our world gives us ample opportunities to discover that Your ways are not the ways of the world. By the power of Jesus' teachings and the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, lead us into Your ways and commandments that give us the assurance that we are Your people, the people You love and the people who You crave to be with. Guide us into the understanding that Your commandments are given to us to help us live lives of freedom and joy. Forgive us when we think that Your ways highlight how bad we are and not worthy of Your love. Show us that we are not orphans, but rather that You are faithful, from everlasting to everlasting. Assure our hearts that You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are our Advocate, urging us forward and guiding us into Your Truth and ways.

Hymn: No. 328 Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place

Gospel Reading: John 14: 15- 21

Pastor: This is the word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God!

Message - No matter where we are in our faith journey, God is present with us.

Closing Hymn: No. 364 Because He Lives

Benediction: Psalm 136, Psalm 23: 6 [adapted]

Pastor: Leave this worship Giving thanks to the Lord, for God is good!
People: For God's steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: Give thanks to the God who is present with us on our journey of faith.
People: For God's steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: Give thanks to God who does not leave us orphaned.
People: For God's steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: Give thanks to God who sends us the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and guide.
People: For God's steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: Give thanks to God who loves us forever.
People: For God's steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: Give thanks to God for sending Jesus to teach us and remind us of God's presence with us;
People: For God's steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: Give thanks to God who will never forsake us;
People: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Postlude: Thomas Campbell (arr.): Amazing Love! How Can It Be (Organ & Piano)