CANDLE LITURGY
In this time, we need the Christ light as a beacon of promise and hope. We are reminded that Jesus is the Light of the World who has always pointed toward the way of peace and justice.
     Adapted/Used with permission Lent/Easter Gathering 2025; Laura J. Turnbull

Sung Response: VU 268 “Bring Many Names” Verses 2 & 3
2.  Strong mother God, working night and day,
planning all the wonders of creation,
setting each equation, genius at play:
Hail and hosanna, strong mother God!

3.  Warm father God, hugging every child,
feeling all the strains of human living,
caring and forgiving till we're reconciled:
Hail and hosanna, warm father God!

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
The one who loves us without distinction calls us here.
They will know we are Christians by our love.
The one who loves us completely welcomes us home.
They will know we are Christians by our love.
The one who loves us well rejoices in our presence.
They will know we are Christians by our love.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Wipe away our tears, O God, for we are weary of weeping at the injustices of the world. You love us like a mother and protect us like a father. You restore our lives and claim us as your beloved children in a world made new. Dwell among us, we pray, that we may love one another, as you have loved us. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

3. LEARNING TIME:

4. HYMN: VU 307 “Touch the Earth Lightly”
1.  Touch the earth lightly, use the earth gently,
nourish the life of the world in our care:
gift of great wonder, ours to surrender,
trust for the children tomorrow will bear.

2.  We who endanger, who create hunger,
agents of death for all creatures that live,
we who would foster clouds of disaster,
God of our planet, forestall and forgive!

3.  Let there be greening, birth from the burning,
water that blesses and air that is sweet,
health in God's garden, hope in God's children,
regeneration that peace will complete.

4.  God of all living, God of all loving,
God of the seedling, the snow and the sun,
teach us, deflect us, Christ reconnect us,
using us gently and making us one.

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Creator God, as we receive the words of scripture today, may we understand the love and tenderness in you as you care for us, your precious children. Learning your word just like the disciples did so long ago, may we discover a connection to our own lives and may the lessons fortify us for the week ahead. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Lent-Easter 2025: Tammy Fergusson

6.  PRAYER OF YEARNING:
Teach our hearts to love, O God, as you would have us love. Train our eyes to see, Holy One, as you would have us see. For we yearn to love without prejudice and accept others without judgment. Make your home among us, for we long to be made one and whole.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE
The One who made heaven and earth is with us, bringing love and life. The Lord our God is among us now,
renewing us in faithful love.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

8.  SUNG RESPONSE: VU 365 “Jesus Loves Me”
1.  Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong,
in his love we shall be strong.
Refrain: “Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so”.

2.  Jesus loves me, this I know, as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee, saying, 'Let them come to me.'  Refrain

3.  Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way,
wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live.  Refrain

9. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Peace be with you.
And also with you.

10.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
If we truly believe God dwells among us, would we live differently? Would we love differently? Would we give differently? Truly I tell you, God dwells among us even now. Let us share our faith and our love accordingly, as we present this morning's offering.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

11.  OFFERTORY:   VU 540 “Grant Us, God the Grace”
Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

12. OFFERING PRAYER
God of mystery, you promise us a life of blessedness, if only we would learn to love, as you have loved us. May the gifts we bring before you this day be a sign of our commitment to love one another well.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.

13. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER

14. BLESSING
Christ has given us a new commandment.
We will love one another well.
God guides us to love the stranger.
We will love one another well.
The Spirit blesses with a new vision.
We will love one another well.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

15. THREE FOLD AMEN

Next Sunday:  Sixth Sunday of Easter
        May 25, 2025:
         Acts 16:9-15;  Psalm 67;
         Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5;  John 14:23-29.

Note: Don't have a Bible? By Clicking on the button below, you can open a new window in an Online Bible. By entering the BOOK and CHAPTER, you will be able to look up the references in the sermon. Copy and paste will work as long as there is no other words between the book name and chapter number. Try it and Enjoy!

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