May 12 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Ascension Sunday painting

Suzanne leads the bells in practice

The bells focus on the task at hand

Louise offers the postlude

Fellowship treats!

Ascension Sunday / Mother's Day

(today's worship link)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Clap your hands, all you people! Shout joyfully to God with a joyous shout!” —Psalm 47:1

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Louise Cook / “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” by Sebastian Temple, arranged by Jane Holstein

*Call to Worship for Mother’s Day (inspired by Psalm 139)...Rebecca Glancy

Leader: We gather to worship our loving, nurturing God, who, like a mother,    People: Knows us intimately, loves us unconditionally,                                         Leader: Teaches us the way we should go, and comforts us in times of need.      People: Praise God, the Source and Sustainer of life.

*Hymn...“Open My Eyes, That I May See” (UMH #454)

Litany for Ascension Day...Rebecca Glancy                                                                        To be read responsively

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, a new world has broken into ours—A world in which justice comes for the poor, freedom comes for the prisoners, and healing comes for the sick.

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, a new community has been formed—A community that loves and cares for all members, a family that welcomes all who are abandoned and rejected, a place where all find a place of belonging.

Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, a new creation has begun— All that was distorted is being restored, all that is corrupted is being renewed, all that was broken is being made whole. Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, God’s new world has begun.

—written by Christine Sine, posted on Godspace

Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:44-53...Rebecca Glancy

Bell Anthem...“I’ve Got the Joy Down in My Heart,” arranged byValerie W. Stephenson

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

New Testament Lesson: Acts 1:1-1...Pastor Charles

Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “Don’t look up”

*Hymn...“I’ll Fly Away” (TFWS #2282)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Louise Cook / “Fairest Lord Jesus,” arranged by Eugenie Rocherolle