May 4, 2025
Sunday Gathering
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-PRELUDE-
“First Gymnopedie” – E. Satie
Brenda Gardiner
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-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-
We acknowledge that the place where we are gathered today is the ancient and ancestral homeland of more than twenty Indigenous tribes. We mourn the loss of their lives, livelihoods, homes, and cultures, and acknowledge the legacy of violence against them.
We acknowledge that the space where we worship today was established and built by those whose Black ancestors were also abused and mistreated - some even bought and sold as enslaved people right here in our city.
We acknowledge the women who’ve faced unfair treatment and misogyny throughout the ages and we acknowledge those who identify as LGBTQ or other who’ve been mistreated and misunderstood.
We acknowledge our role and responsibility as professed followers of Christ to stand for and alongside all of these and others who have been and continue to be oppressed.
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Rain Down”
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.
FAITHFUL AND TRUE IS THE LOVE OF OUR GOD,
GIVEN SO FREELY FOR ME AND FOR YOU.
WE COME REJOICING AS FAMILY HERE,
SHARING THE LOVE WE HAVE KNOWN.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.
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-WELCOME-
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-SINGING TOGETHER
"Rain Down”
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.
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-CALL TO WORSHIP-
God, we are grateful for every new day;
HELP US MAKE THIS A DAY THAT BRINGS JOY.
We come with expectation and hope;
WE KNOW THAT YOUR PROMISES ARE FOR OUR GOOD.
We are ready to hear, learn, and live into your goodness;
THANK YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR GOODNESS!
THANK YOU FOR THIS NEW DAY!
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-OPENING PRAYER-
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-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
In the Midst of New Dimensions”
TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS,
WRITE ON MY HEART EVERY WORD;
IN THE MIDST OF NEW DIMENSIONS,
IN THE FACE OF CHANGING WAYS,
WHO WILL LEAD THE PILGRIM PEOPLES
WANDERING IN THEIR SEPARATE WAYS?
GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER,
NOW AND EVERMORE.
THROUGH THE FLOOD OF STARVING PEOPLE,
WARRING FACTIONS AND DESPAIR,
WHO WILL LIFT THE OLIVE BRANCHES?
WHO WILL LIGHT THE FLAME OF CARE?
GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER,
NOW AND EVERMORE.
AS WE STAND A WORLD DIVIDED
BY OUR OWN SELF-SEEKING SCHEMES,
GRANT THAT WE, YOUR GLOBAL VILLAGE,
MIGHT ENVISION WIDER DREAMS.
GOD OF RAINBOW, FIERY PILLAR,
LEADING WHERE THE EAGLES SOAR,
WE YOUR PEOPLE, OURS THE JOURNEY
NOW AND EVER, NOW AND EVER,
NOW AND EVERMORE.
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-SCRIPTURE-
John 20:19-31 (CEB)
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
Thomas, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
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-THE MESSAGE-
"Easter Lives"
Kenny Bishop
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Gentle Shepherd”
GENTLE SHEPHERD, COME AND LEAD US,
FOR WE NEED YOU TO HELP US FIND OUR WAY.
GENTLE SHEPHERD, COME AND FEED US,
FOR WE NEED YOUR STRENGTH FROM DAY TO DAY.
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO WE CAN TURN TO
WHO CAN HELP US FACE ANOTHER DAY.
GENTLE SHEPHERD, COME AND LEAD US,
FOR WE NEED YOU TO HELP US FIND OUR WAY.
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-SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS-
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-PASTORAL PRAYER-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Gentle Shepherd”
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO WE CAN TURN TO
WHO CAN HELP US FACE ANOTHER DAY.
GENTLE SHEPHERD, COME AND LEAD US,
FOR WE NEED YOU TO HELP US FIND OUR WAY.
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-INVITATION TO COMMUNION-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
"I’m Gonna Eat At the Welcome Table”
I’M GONNA EAT AT THE WELCOME TABLE,
I’M GONNA EAT AT THE WELCOME TABLE, ALLELU.
I’M GONNA EAT AT THE WELCOME TABLE,
I’M GONNA EAT AT THE WELCOME TABLE, ALLELU.
I’M GONNA EAT AND DRINK WITH MY JESUS,
I’M GONNA EAT AND DRINK WITH MY JESUS, ALLELU.
I’M GONNA EAT AND DRINK WITH MY JESUS,
I’M GONNA EAT AND DRINK WITH MY JESUS, ALLELU.
I’M GONNA JOIN WITH SISTERS, BROTHERS,
I’M GONNA JOIN WITH ALL THE OTHERS, ALLELU.
I’M GONNA JOIN WITH SISTERS, BROTHERS,
I’M GONNA JOIN WITH ALL THE OTHERS, ALLELU.
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-IN GRATITUDE-
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-OFFERING-
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-ANNOUNCEMENTS-
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-INVITATION TO RESPOND-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
"We Are Called”
COME! LIVE IN THE LIGHT!
SHINE WITH THE JOY AND THE LOVE OF THE LORD!
WE ARE CALLED TO BE LIGHT FOR KIN-DOM,
TO LIVE IN THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF GOD.
WE ARE CALLED TO ACT WITH JUSTICE,
WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE TENDERLY,
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER,
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD!
COME! OPEN YOUR HEART!
SHOW YOUR MERCY TO ALL THOSE IN FEAR!
WE ARE CALLED TO BE HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS
SO ALL HATRED AND BLINDNESS WILL BE NO MORE!
WE ARE CALLED TO ACT WITH JUSTICE,
WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE TENDERLY,
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER,
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD!
SING! SING A NEW SONG!
SING OF THAT GREAT DAY WHEN ALL WILL BE ONE!
GOD WILL REIGN, AND WE’LL WALK WITH EACH OTHER
AS LOVED ONES TOGETHER UNITED IN LOVE.
WE ARE CALLED TO ACT WITH JUSTICE,
WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE TENDERLY,
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER,
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD!
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-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
"We Are Called”
WE ARE CALLED TO ACT WITH JUSTICE,
WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE TENDERLY,
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER,
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD!
. . . . . . . . . .
-THE TEAM-
ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner, Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Tiff Jones
BUILDING CARE: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson
FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Kathy Lyons, Steve Melton, Barry Thompson, Seth Tuska
NURSERY: Linda Netherton
PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner
PROPERTY CARE: West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste
SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson
SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Chris Cook
TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Dale Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Timmy Smallwood
MAY BULLETINS
JANUARY BULLETINS