South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

May 21, 2006
Confirmation Sunday

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   Andante Et Scherzo   Ganne
      Nicholas Galat & Marianna Jordan

WELCOME                     Jackie Guy
  Introduction of Visitors and Guests
  Announcements        
  Exchange of Peace

     The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.
         And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP            Kevin Stevens, Matt Washburn,
 Matthew Newton & Kenzie Googins

Our journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

We will walk with you on your spiritual journey.

As we walk our light will shine through the darkness of tragedy and suffering.

We will follow your light along the path of life.

As the journey grows longer, we grow weary.

As you fall we will catch you, and help each other along the way.

Our journey is about to begin we ask you to join us.

And we will follow.

* HYMN               Lighten the Darkness  (see insert)

PRAYER OF INVOCATION, THE LORD'S PRAYER
                   Jess Morrow & Laura Massey
 

 SCRIPTURE  Genesis 1: 14-19  (see insert)

                   Jen Angell & Julie Ingram

LET THE CHILDREN COME         Dennis Hacker & Matthew Hoyt

              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.

RITE OF CONFIRMATION  

Leader:

Brothers and sisters in Christ:
Through the Sacrament of Baptism
we become members in Christ's holy Church.
and are given new birth through water and the Spirit.
All of this is God's gift to us without price.
This is God's grace!

Through confirmation,
and through the reaffirmation of our faith,
we renew the covenant declared at our baptism,
we acknowledge what God is doing for us,
and we affirm our commitment to Christ's holy Church.

Leader ( to confirmands):

Do you desire to affirm your Baptismal vows and be confirmed
into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?

Confirmands: I do.

Leader (to confirmands and parents):

On behalf of the whole church, I ask you:
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?

Confirmands and Parents: I do.

Leader (to confirmands and parents):

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your moral and spiritual guide,
put your trust in his grace, as your savior,
and promise to serve God in union with the Church
which God has opened to people of all ages, nations and races?

Confirmands and Parents: I do.

Leader (to confirmands):

According to the grace given to you.
will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church
and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?

Confirmands:   I will.

Leader (to congregation): Please rise.

Do you, as Christ's body, the church,
reaffirm both your rejection of sin
and your commitment to Christ as Savior?

Congregation: We do.

Leader (to congregation):

Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life
and include these persons now before you in your care?

Congregation:

With God's help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others.

We will pray for them,
that they may be true disciples
who walk in the way that leads to life.

Leader (to confirmands):

Do you promise, according to the grace given you,
to grow in the Christian faith
and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ,
celebrating Christ's presence
and furthering Christ's mission in all the world?

Confirmands: I promise, with the help of God.

INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES and
LAYING ON OF HANDS

Confirmation Class 2006

* SERMON   We are the Light of the World 

           Nicholas Galat,  Marianna Jordan, Megan Farquhar & Aline Dargie

SCRIPTURE     Matthew 5:14-17     (see insert)

                   Jen Angell & Julie Ingram

* HYMN This Little Light of Mine  (insert)

PASTORAL PRAYER       Erik Geffken & Andrew Walker  

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING

Invitation     Sarah Hamilton

Offertory  Tears in Heaven by E. Clapton  Dennis Hacker

*Doxology       Old Hundredth

To God, all glorious heavenly light,
To Christ revealed in earthly night,
To God the Spirit now we raise;
Our joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.

* Dedication Prayer   Nicholas D’Innocenzo & Emily Blech

* BENEDICTION           Kyla McRoy

POSTLUDE Mazurka Chopin
Marianna Jordan

Participating in Today’s Service:
Greeters & Ushers: Class of 2006 Confirmands
Acolytes: Sarah Arvidson & Sarah Appleton

Cover artwork by Aline Dargie

The flowers today are in loving memory of Robert and Ida Jane Schroeder by Bill and Donna Schroeder.

  Scriptures for This Day        New Revised Standard Version  

Genesis 1: 14-19
 

God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

Matthew 5: 14-17

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.