Virtual Worship Service – May 10, 2020

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Mother’s Day

The videos for this worship service are posted on our Church’s youtube channel as a playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBiEVOXnXWxowo_mfu0LwGIUcekVvgMO

 

1) A Song for Mother’s Day: One Little Heartbeat at a Time

Click the link below for the youtube video, which has the words and the music.

 

2) Welcome and Prayer

Click on the youtube link below to hear the words of welcome.

Good morning and a warm welcome to all on this Sunday morning. Today is Mother’s Day! We celebrate and give thanks for our mothers and for all those women who have nurtured and cared for us. They are God’s gifts to us.

For all the mothers who are still with us,
and for those who have gone to be with Jesus,
we give thanks today.

For all those who mothered us,
some in addition to our own mothers,
some in place of absent mothers,
we recognize you, and give thanks for you.

For all women who have been figures of grace and love in our lives,
your example has been meaningful to us.

During this time of physical distance,
we wish we could be nearer to our mothers (and our children).
We pray that this day brings phone calls and cards,
love and light, your way, mothers and mothering women. We love you!

Let’s Pray

Steadfast and loving God,
you are our refuge in times of trouble and our shelter when we are afraid.
In you alone we trust.
In you we see our way forward and discover what is authentic.
In you we find abundant life.
And so we offer you our worship and love
as the God who creates and gives life to the world,
as the Son who preached the truth of the good news,
and the Holy Spirit who guides us; this day and always. Amen.

 

3) Musical Call to Worship: My Soul Longs for Jesus

Click on the link below and sing along for a musical call to worship.

 

4) Praise Songs

Click on the links below for the youtube videos of this morning’s praise songs

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

“10, 000 Reasons”

 

5) Song of Confession and Assurance: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

Click the link below to hear this song of confession and assurance. As you listen to the words, make your confession to God.

 

6) Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Someone in your group can read this passage.

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.

 

7) A Prayer for Mothers

Click on the link below to hear the morning prayer.

Loving God,
We reflect on the image of you as one who nurtures,
who gathers, who protects.

We pray for those women who have nurtured us as mothers
and who are no longer with us and whom we miss dearly.

We reflect upon those women who have influenced our own lives
in so many ways, and we give thanks.

We pray for the women around the world
who are working long days and nights to raise their children right now.

We pray for mothers who have fled violence and difficult situations,
and who have been separated from their children,
or experienced loss of a child.
We pray for mothers living in uncertainty and facing the unknown.

We pray for all the women who are expecting,
but aren’t quite mothers yet!
Thank God for the soon-to-be-mothers.

In families that have lost mothers, we give thanks and pray for those who have stepped in to care for the children,
We pray for the women who took in others’ children
through adoption and foster care.

We give thanks for these mothers with hearts so big.

We pray for those women who have lost a child to death
and must carry on.
We pray for strength and courage for the mothers who have faced grief and loss.

We pray for women whose children have grown
and whom they now seldom see.
We pray for mothers who are at a distance from their children.

We pray for all the women
who have desperately wanted to have children of their own,
but chose instead to mother everyone else.
We thank God for the mothers in spirit.

We pray for women leaders in indigenous communities and in countries with extreme poverty, who seek to provide a protective environment for children,
and whose commitment is to work for a healthy place
for children to live and grow.
Give them the strength and the resources that they need.

We pray for those troubled by the prospect of motherhood,
perhaps too soon, or too few resources to care for a child.

Nurturing God,
We offer these prayers to you this day. Amen.

 

8) Reflection Hymn: Lord, I Need You

Listen to this reflective song before we listen to the Gospel lesson. Click the link below for the youtube video, which has the words and the music

 

9) Gospel Lesson: John 14:1-14

Click the link below and watch the dramatized reading of the Gospel lesson.

 

10) Message: Don’t Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

Click on the link to hear the sermon. A copy of the sermon is also attached to this email.

Prayer after the Sermon

Risen Christ,
you prepare a place for us,
in the home of the Father of us all.
Draw us more deeply into yourself,
through scripture read,
baptismal waters,
bread broken,
wine poured,
so that when our hearts are troubled,
we will know you more completely
as the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.

 

11) Musical Response: All the Way My Savior Leads Me

Click on the link below for the youtube video.

 

12) Blessing

Click the link below to hear the words of blessing

Don’t let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and in God’s son, Jesus Christ,
who is the way, the truth and the life,
and through whom we come to know the Father.

And may the blessing of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit
go with you as you walk on the road of life.Amen.

 

Downloads

Sermon

Worship Service – April 26, 2020