Service of the Lord's Day | May 3, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN

Our opening hymn today is “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.”

Please sing along. The words are posted in the video.

Prayer of Confession

Place your hands palm up on your lap. Offer this prayer aloud followed with silence.

We rejoice because you, O Lord, are risen!
In our hearts and on our tongues that we confess that you are Lord.
We confess those things that prevent us from trusting you in this moment of silence…

We are forgiven in Jesus Christ. Sing along with this assurance of forgiveness.

We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to the scripture passage or read along with the audio file. You may also read the passages aloud yourself.

John 10:1-10

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Affirmation of Faith

You are invited to recite the Apostles’ Creed. Reflect on it. What phrases, if any, cause you to shake? Feel free to recite the creed with the congregation using the recording.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Song of preparation

Please join in singing “Let Us Break Bread Together.” The words are in the video.

The Lord’s Supper

Please join us for the Lord’s Supper at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, by Zoom. Please provide your own bread and cup.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3577569746

Call-in: (312) 626-6799 and use meeting ID 357 756 9746.

If there are technical difficulties on Sunday morning, this link can be used as a backup from 10:30 until 10:45. Please click here for the backup video.

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family. Download the resource described in the Circle Time message.

Benediction

And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Amen.

Postlude & Offering

Contributions to the ministry of First Presbyterian Church may be made online by clicking the button below or mailed to First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown, OH 45044.

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