South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

April 20, 2008
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Earth Day

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.

PRELUDE     Mass for the Convents     Francois Couperin

WELCOME       

Introduction of Visitors and Guests
Announcements 
Exchange of Peace

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

INTROIT           O Lord of Every Shining Constellation

CALL TO WORSHIP     

Come, all who long for community and connection-

O God, weave us together!

Come, all who question, wonder, and doubt-

O God, stretch our minds to ponder!

Come, all who seek shelter from the storms of life-

O Christ, be our Rock, our refuge!

Come, all who live within unjust boundaries-

O Christ, give us voices to cry out and ears to hear!

Come, all whose lives are unsettled by transition-

O Spirit, move with us through the unknown!

Come, all who seek transformation-

O Spirit, guide us through the process,

and give us courage to be flexible.

* HYMN  Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing #356 Red

INVOCATION AND the LORD’S PRAYER (debts)  Rev. Drury

scripture   Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16 (in bulletin)

LET THE CHILDREN COME         Peter Maher

     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 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past     #210 Red

SCRIPTURE   Acts 7: 55 - 60   (in bulletin)

SERMON                 Spirit and Stone     Holly Benzenhafer Redford

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE          Dr. Kallis

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING

Invitation      

Offertory Anthem          For the Beauty of the Earth  John Rutter

* Doxology     

* Dedication Prayer            

* HYMN  Help Us Accept Each Other   #358 Red

* BENEDICTION

* RESPONSE     Sing to the Lord  Noel Goemanne

POSTLUDE  

* Those who are able may stand.

Participating in Today's Service:

Greeters:  The Jordan Family
Acolytes:  McKenzie Cheung and Drew Farris
Deacon: Jim Vanderpol

Head Usher: Becky Hoerner

Piano: Donna Schroeder

Scriptures For This Day         New Revised Standard Version

Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.

Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.

You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,

take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

Acts 7: 55-60

⁵⁵But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” ⁵⁷But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. ⁵⁸Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.