South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

April 6, 2008
Third Sunday of Easter
 

Let the prelude be a curtain of music which brings us into the sanctuary to worship God.
 Let necessary conversation be gentle and the preparation we make together be prayerful.

 

“The only way we are ever going to ensure peace on this planet is to adopt the entire world as ‘our family’.  We are going to have to hug them and kiss them…and, dance and play with them.  And, we are going to have to sit and talk and walk and cry with them.  Because, when we do, we’ll be able to see that, indeed, everyone is beautiful…and, we all compliment each other beautifully, and we would be all the poorer without each other.”             Stan Dale

PRELUDE  (10:20 am)                                   New Orleans Gospel Band

   Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey                               Hughie Cannon

   Tin Roof Blues                                                                 Walter Melrose

   When it’s Sleepy Time Down South                    Muse/O. Rene/L. Rene

   Just a Closer Walk With Thee                                    Traditional Gospel

WELCOME                                                                                            

Introduction of Visitors and Guests
Announcements                       

Exchange of Peace

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

INTROIT                              Introit # 2                           Charles Leinbach
                                          Handbell Choir

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                            Mike Brink

Praise to the One whose love stirs the ancient embers

and sparks the breath of prayer.

Praise to the One whose love grows wings on the weary

and dreams hope in the discouraged.

Praise to the One whose love heals with mercy

and transforms with compassion.

Praise to the One whose love is the energy of friendship

and the tie that binds community.

Praise to the One whose love will never let us go.

All praise to this Gracious One. 

All praise to our Almighty God.

*HYMN                How Great Thou Art  (vs. 1 & 2)                #467 Red

PRAYER OF INVOCATION                                                                          Mike Brink

MISSIONS THAT MATTER                                                                              Dr. Kallis

                                          The Glue That Holds it Together

scripture           Matthew 25: 31-45  (see insert)        Morgan Kiker

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Communion Prayer

God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to God most high.

Breaking the Bread and Pouring the Cup

Sharing the Elements by the Deacons

Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                      (unison)

We give thanks, O God, because in Your own free gift of love

You have reached out to us.  We have come to You, and You have refreshed us at Your table touching our deepest need,

and calling us to a life rich in memory and abundant in hope.

Now send us forth with courage and joy.

In the name of Jesus Christ, empower us to become bread and peace for one another, and for your world.  Amen

Children in grades K-High School may move to their church school classrooms. Parents of children up to age 7, please go to your child's classroom after worship

*HYMN                               Precious Lord                                #404 Red              

REFLECTIONS ON THE NEW ORLEANS EXPERIENCE                  

                    When Giving and Receiving Become One

                       Beth Kiker, Susan Sleight, Glenn Rogers

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE                                                    Jan Brink

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING

Invitation

Offertory Anthem           Mary’s Song                         Charles Leinbach                          

* Doxology                                                                                             

* Dedication Prayer

*HYMN                              Here I Am Lord                              #525 Red

BENEDICTION                                                                 Morgan Kiker

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
   and be gracious unto you.

May God give you grace never to sell yourself short,

Grace to risk something big for something good,

Grace to remember that it is wise for this nation
   to be generous to its poor at home
   and the poor around the world,

Grace to remember that the world now
   is too dangerous for anything but truth,

   and too small for anything but love.

So, may God take your minds and think through them,

May God take your lips and speak through them,

May God take your hearts and set them on fire.Amen

RESPONSE                  Easter People Amen                  Charles Leinbach

POSTLUDE                                                    New Orleans Gospel Band

   Basin Street Blues                                                         Spenser Williams

   When the Saints Go Marching In               Traditional New Orleans Jazz

   The Second Line…Joe Avery Blues             Traditional New Orleans Jazz

*Those who are able may stand.

 

Participating in Today's Service:

Greeters: Toni Formichella

Acolytes: Matthew Boulanger and Sam Krapels

Head Usher: Jeffrey Berube

Soprano Soloists: April Foley and Allison Chapman

Jazz Ensemble:  Peter Spollett, Trumpet,  Jim Vanderpol, Piano,

Glen Macon, Guitar, Dave Hastings, Trombone, SteveLongo, Bass Charles Leinbach, Accordian and Mary Alice Ryan, Drums.


Scriptures For This Day         New Revised Standard Version

Matthew 25: 31-45

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

   
 

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