Mayfield Congregational Church UCC
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Let these words lay themselves like a blessing upon your head, your shoulders, as if, like hands, they could pass on to you what you most need for this day, as if they could anoint you not merely for the path ahead but for this ordinary moment that opens itself to you – opens itself like another hand that unfurls itself, that reaches out to gather these words in the bowl of its palm. You may think this blessing lives within these words, but I tell you it lives in the opening and in the reaching; it lives in the ache where this blessing begins; it lives in the hollow made by the place where the hands of this blessing meet.
-Jan Richardson
PRELUDE
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING HYMN #70 God Is Here! As We Your People Meet
God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit, here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.
Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.
Sovereign God, of earth and heaven, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 1)
Leader: Happy are those who enjoy reading God’s word and think about it often.
People: They are like strong green trees, and they prosper in all they do.
Leader: The wind cannot blow them away like chaff.
People: They stand together as a congregation.
Leader: God watches over them.
People: Come, join us as we meditate on God’s word and worship.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION (based on Acts 1:15-26)
God, you know who we are and what we feel. You know we are ordinary people and yet you call us to do extraordinary things. Speak to us, guide us, show us the paths you wish us to take. Amen.
SCRIPTURE: John 17:6-19
MESSAGE: Progress Report – Rev. Lauri Allen
PASTORAL PRAYER
HYMN #249 Peace I Leave With You, My Friends
REFRAIN
Peace I leave with you, my friends, shalom, my peace, in all you do.
Peace I leave with you, my friends. I give to you so you can give to others, too.
To share God’s love is why I came, to show God’s kindness without end.
Go now, my friends, and do the same, until I come again. (refrain)
Take my hand and be at peace; the spirit of our love I send.
And with this love you will be free, until I come again. (refrain)
With this love now all will know that loneliness is at an end.
Rejoice, my friends, although I go, for I will come again. (refrain)
OFFERING
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (based on I John 5:9-13)
Eternal God, we rejoice that you have shared eternal life with us. As the Good News has been passed along from person to person, let our offerings go from us to others to be used in ways that tell the story of your love. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN #597 Shall We Gather at the River
Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?
REFRAIN
Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river,
Gather with the saints at the river, that flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. (refrain)
As we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown. (refrain)
Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hears will quiver with the melody of peace. (refrain)
BENEDICTION
CHORAL BENEDICTION God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00 PM Via ZOOM
This week’s scriptures: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21;
John 15:26-27 and 16:4-15; James 3:1-12
Joanne Hackerson will be spending a few days at Kishwaukee Hospital recovering from surgery. Please send get well wishes to her.