Marshall Presbyterian Church
April 25, 2021 4th Sunday of Easter
Carol Ann West, Pianist
Rev. Melissa Upchurch, Pastor
ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME
PRELUDE
WELCOME
* CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 23)
One: The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want.
All: God leads us into green pastures and beside
still waters;
One: in right paths.
All: Even though we walk through the difficult valley,
we fear no evil; for you are with us; your rod
and your staff — they comfort us.
One: You prepare a table before us in the presence of
our enemies; you anoint our head with oil; our cup
overflows.
All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the
days of our life, and we shall dwell in the house
of the Lord our whole life long.
* OPENING PRAYER
* HYMN Purple Hymnal #401 Gather Us In
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, you are the Good Shepherd who attend to our needs, but we fail to see your abundant life in our midst.
We tend to focus on scarcity. Our consumer culture has engraved upon us the message that we are “not enough” — not beautiful or handsome enough, not smart enough, not wealthy enough. At the core of our being, we believe
that we are “not enough.” .…silent prayers of confession…
Forgive us, Lord. Help us to see that we are your beloved children, created in your image, and that you love us as we are. Then help us to live out of your goodness. Amen
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: The psalmist tells us that God’s goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. Friends, believe this good news! Believe that God’s mercy is sure, and that God’s goodness will fill our lives and empower us to love God and neighbor as ourselves.
All: Thanks be to God; Amen!
* GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
* PASSING THE PEACE
SPECIAL MUSIC: Carol Ann’s Choice
HEARING AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
THE SCRIPTURES
New Testament: Acts 4:5-12
Epistle 1 John 3:16-24
Gospel: John 10:11-18
One: The Word of God for the People of God!
All: Thanks be to God!
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
MESSAGE Rev. Melissa Upchurch
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
(Fr. A Brief Statement of Faith, PC [USA].)
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
* HYMN Purple Hymnal #733 We Are All One in Mission
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS (See bulletin insert)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (The Lord’s Prayer is located
at the bottom of page 35 in the purple hymnal.)
SHARING THE GIFTS OF GOD
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY (ca. 1500s)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Creator, Liberator and Redeemer God, we pray for the wisdom to be good stewards the gifts you have given
to us. Take these gifts, we pray, bless and use them to
benefit others and to empower our work for justice in
the church and in the world. Amen.
GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME
* HYMN Purple Hymnal #741 Guide My Feet
* INVITATION
* CHARGE
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
