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Friends-- Due to technical problems on my end, I've had to slightly change plans for posting worship here. The full sermon is now posted on our facebook page, but it won't be here on the website. The rest of the liturgy, including the beautiful music, is posted below.
If you don't have a facebook account you can still see the video: when it asks you to login or join, look down below for the small "not now" option and click there. It should go right to the page. My apologies to everyone! Hopefully things will be back to normal next Sunday.
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Call to Worship* Come join with your sisters and brothers, Together in praise to the Lord. Sing praises to the one who heals, To the one who makes us whole. Prayer* O God, You gather us into your community, regardless of our imperfections. May we be so gracious with one another, showing everyone your heart of mercy, made known to us in Jesus Christ, amen. Praise with music Listen with joy to “We Are Not Alone,” by Pepper Choplin, at Sandy Ridge Mennonite Church. Psalm 116: 1-7 1 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, save my life!” 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. Gospel Reading: Acts 3: 1-10 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[a] stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Message Music and Offering During this time, or after our prayers, you may make an offering to John Knox by going to our homepage and scrolling to the bottom where you will see a link to online giving. When you give this way, consider giving a little extra to defray the cost of this service. If you prefer, you may mail you offerings to the church directly. Even though we are far apart, the church's expenses remain the same. We give out of pure gratitude for what God has done. Listen to this offertory music, Soon and Very Soon, by Andrae Crouch, sung by the Barnes Mass Choir, Barnes United Methodist Church, Indiana Prayers of the People*
Though our lives seem so lonely and empty these days, yet there is the sun in the morning, the moon and stars at night, the wonder of creation unfolding before our eyes and hearts, reminding us that we have nothing apart from you, God of Easter. When we need to maintain boundaries and safe distancing, when we realize how much we miss human touch (yes, even us introverts), you invite us to touch your loneliness with our own, your sorrow and scars with our own, Brother of our souls. When we find ourselves huddling in the locked rooms of our hearts, the doors and shutters of our souls securing us from the fears that are outside, you come, Spirit of hope, to breathe peace upon us, to always surround us with hope, to never abandon us to our loneliness. God in Community, Holy in One, remind us we are never, ever, apart from you, even as we pray as we are taught, Lord’s Prayer And now with confidence as the children of God, let us pray as Jesus taught his disciples: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen. Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, and bring you peace. Amen. Next week: Acts 17: 1-9 The church at Thessalonica Today’s music: “We Are Not Alone,” by Pepper Choplin, at Sandy Ridge Mennonite Church “Soon and Very Soon,” by Andrae Crouch, sung by the Barnes Mass Choir, Barnes United Methodist Church, Indiana. Today’s prayers are from —Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA), Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 2018. —Clergy Stuff Worship Resources, Bloomington, Minnesota, 2016-2019. --Rev. Dr. Thom Shuman, lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com, April 15, 2020 _Call to Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed! Praise with music Click here to hear the Saint Andrew the Great Choir singing Thine is the Glory. Psalm 16: 1-3, 9-11 1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” 3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. ___________________________________________ 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. 10 For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. 11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Gospel Reading: Acts 1: 1-14 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. Meditation Music and Offering During this time, or after our prayers, you may make an offering to John Knox by going to our homepage and scrolling to the bottom where you will see a link to online giving. When you give this way, consider giving a little extra to defray the cost of this service. If you prefer, you may mail you offerings to the church directly. Even though we are far apart, the church's expenses remain the same. We give out of pure gratitude for what God has done. Listen to the offertory music by clicking here: Ain’t No Grave Prayers of the People* We pray for the church, the world, and all those in need. (A brief silence) The first resurrection witnesses were inspired by what they experienced, even though they didn’t fully understand the direction their ministry would take. Give us their zeal for spreading the message of your merciful kingdom. God of Life, hear our prayer. As a cloud obscured Jesus when he was being taken back to heaven, so we often feel confused by a lack of clarity in how to approach the issues of our day. Give us your guidance when the way forward seems uncertain. God of Life, hear our prayer. In your presence there is healing, even for that which we didn’t know was making us unwell. Remove all the barriers which stand between ourselves, you and others, and make us one again. Grant healing to those we know need it, especially those who are being affected with the coronavirus— the patients, the families, the health care workers, and everyone else whose health and safety are in danger. God of Life, hear our prayer. We thank you, O Lord, that you hear our prayers even before we speak them, or know what we want to say. Accept all these things for the sake of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. Lord’s Prayer And now with confidence as the children of God, let us pray as Jesus taught his disciples: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen. Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, and bring you peace. Amen. Next week: Acts 3: 1-10 Peter Heals in Jerusalem Today’s music: Thine is the Glory, by the Saint Andrew the Great Choir. Ain’t No Grave, by Cageless Birds feat. Molly Skaggs. Today’s prayers are from —Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA), Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 2018. —Clergy Stuff Worship Resources, Bloomington, Minnesota, 2016-2019. Thanks for coming to worship! To "virtually attend" this service, simply click on the videos in order. Prepare yourself for worship by setting aside your worries, and watching and listening to "Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia." Bonus points if you can figure out which singer is Becky's aunt and Donna's sister! Thanks so much for coming to worship today! Please share with your friends.
Before we begin worship today, you are invited to find something to eat and drink during the Lord's Supper. It could be the traditional bread and wine or juice, or it could be something special to you. We will partake of the elements during the service. To "attend" this virtual service, simply click each video in order. Music and Offering During this time, or after our prayers, you may make an offering to John Knox by going to our homepage and scrolling to the bottom where you will see a link to online giving. When you give this way, consider giving a little extra to defray the cost of this service. If you prefer, you may mail you offerings to the church directly. Even though we are far apart, the church's expenses remain the same. We give out of pure gratitude for what God has done. Click here for the glorious music of the families of Quinhagak, Alaska. Remember that, though often synonymous with Christmas, the Hallelujah Chorus is really about Easter. Call to Worship* Hippolytus, 3rd century theologian
Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers, Glory and power are his forever and ever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn0pYGG-Ajg Psalm 118: 1-2, 18-24 1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” ———- 18 The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Gospel Reading: Mark 16: 1-8 1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Meditation Music and Offering During this time, or after our prayers, you may make an offering to John Knox by going to our homepage and scrolling to the bottom where you will see a link to online giving. When you give this way, consider giving a little extra to defray the cost of this service. If you prefer, you may mail you offerings to the church directly. Even though we are far apart, the church's expenses remain the same. We give out of pure gratitude for what God has done. Click here for the glorious music of the families of Quinhagak, Alaska. Remember that, though often synonymous with Christmas, the Hallelujah Chorus is really about Easter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyviyF-N23A Prayers of the People* Glory be to you, God, our strength and our redeemer. The vacant cross and the empty tomb vindicate your claim that the love which suffers is the love which saves. So fill your people with joy and your Church with celebration that the world may know that your holy son Jesus is not a dead hero we commemorate, but the living Lord we worship, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be our praise forever. Amen. THE LORD’S SUPPER Invitation to Communion Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Holy God, we praise you. Let the heavens be joyful and the earth be glad. We bless you for creating the whole world, for your promises to your people Israel, and for your promises to your people Israel, and for Jesus Christ in whom your fullness dwells. Born of Mary, he shares our life Eating with sinners, he welcomes us. Guiding his children, he leads us. Visiting the sick, he heals us. Dying on the cross, he saves us. Risen from the dead, he gives new life. Living with you, he prays for us. On the night before he met his death, Jesus came to the table with those he loved. He took bread and praised you, God of all creation. He broke the bread among his disciples and said: “Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body, given for you.” When the supper was ended, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you, God of all creation. He passed the cup among his disciples and said: “Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is the cup of the covenant sealed in my blood for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.” With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup and proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord. Receive our sacrifice of praise. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us that this meal may be a communion in the body and blood of our Lord. Make us one with all who share this feast. Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve as your faithful disciples until we feast at your table in glory. We praise you, eternal God, through Christ your Word made flesh, in the holy and life-giving Spirit, now and forever. Amen. Lord’s Prayer And now with confidence as the children of God, let us pray as Jesus taught his disciples: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen. Sharing of the bread and cup at this time, you may eat and drink the food that you've gathered for the meal. Prayer after communion Nourishing God, thank you for inviting us to your table where all are welcome, and for feeding us with the bread of life and quenching our thirst with the cup of blessing. As you have filled our lives with love and hope, may we be a source of your love and hope for others who hunger and thirst for good news. Amen. Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, and bring you peace. Amen. Next week: Acts 1:1-14 You shall be my witnesses Today’s prayers are from: —Stages on the Way: Worship Resources for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, by the Iona Community Wild Goose Worship Group, GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1998. —Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA), Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 2018. You can hear the service, and offer your own prayer concerns and celebrations, by going to the John Knox Facebook page at 10:30 a.m. You don't have to have a Facebook account to do this-- when the screen says "sign in or create an account," look for the smaller option below it that says "not now," and you will be taken to the page. Scroll down to the livestream of worship!
Call to Worship* from Zechariah 9 L: Rejoice, rejoice, you sons of Zion! Shout for joy, you daughters of Jerusalem! Look and see, your king is coming to you. P: He comes triumphant and victorious, yet humble and riding on a donkey. L: The Lord will now save his people as a shepherd saves his flock from danger. P: Like precious stones in a crown, we will shine in God’s own land. Psalm 122: 1-9 1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For there the thrones for judgment were set up, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.” 8 For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. Gospel Reading: Mark 11: 1-11 1 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Meditation Offering of Music: Ride On, King Jesus Enjoy the all-out glorious singing of the traditional African-American spiritual, sung by the Howard University Community Choir During this time, or after our prayers, you may make an offering to John Knox by going to our homepage and scrolling to the bottom where you will see a link to online giving. When you give this way, consider giving a little extra to defray the cost of this service. If you prefer, you may mail you offerings to the church directly. Even though we are far apart, the church's expenses remain the same. We give out of pure gratitude for what God has done. Prayers of the People* and the Lord’s Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, …over the broken glass of our world, the rumors meant to hurt, the prejudice meant to wound, the weapons meant to kill, ride on … trampling our attempts at disaster into dust. ride on, ride on in majesty. …over the distance which separates us from you, and it is such a distance, measurable in half truths, in unkept promises, in second-best obedience, ride on … until you touch and heal us, who feel for no one but ourselves. ride on, ride on in majesty. …through the back streets and the sin bins and the sniggered-at corners of the city, where human life festers and love runs cold, ride on… bringing hope and dignity where most send scorn and silence. ride on, ride on in majesty. for you, O Christ, do care and must show us how. On our own, our ambitions rival your summons and thus threaten good faith and neglect God’s people. In your company and at your side, we might yet help to bandage and heal the wounds of the world. ride on, ride on in majesty, and take us with you. Amen. And now with confidence as the children of God, let us pray as Jesus taught his disciples: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen. Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, and bring you peace. Amen. Next week: Mark 16- the Resurrection of Jesus
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AuthorRev. Becky Downs, Pastor Archives
April 2024
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