Sunday, May 9th

Gathering music
Welcome
Song  NCH 50, “I Sing the Praise of Love Almighty”
I sing the praise of the Love almighty,
Which shines revealed in Jesus’ face.
I offer up all that delights me,
All mean desire, each fond embrace.
Turn from myself, in pure devotion,
and eager plunge in love’s vast ocean.
How loving kind you are, how gentle,
How your heart reaches after mine!
My heart responds in elemental sympathy,
Beating perfect time.
This mutual love, this strong attraction,
I know no other satisfaction.
Secure my heart and all my being,
In you, my Savior, crucified.
You gave your life to work my healing,
Bleeding for me, you groaned and died.
Beloved Jesus, my salvation, you have,
Through love, restored creation.
May my heart bear the deep impression of
Love that Jesus shares with me, My life
Become a pure expression of all that
Christian love can be” Each word, each act,
A bright reflection of joy in Love’s own resurrection.
Reading
     John 15:9-17
Song NCH 99, “Abide with Me”
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The shadows deepen, Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day’
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Christ who changes not, abide with me.
I need your presence every passing hour;
I need your grace to foil the tempter’s power.
Give me your love my guide and stay to be.
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
I fear no foe, with you at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, your victory?
I triumph still if you abide with me.
Hold now your cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Christ abide with me.
Meditation
Song NCH 388, “Help Us Accept Each Other”
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, God, among us, and bring us to believe
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
Teach us, O God, your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them, or as they may become.
Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice your acceptance, until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.
God, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
Bring us new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
Renew us with your Spirit; God! Free us, make us one!
Teacher recognition
Prayers of the people
The Lord’s Prayer
Community notes
Song NCH 493, “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Oh Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
Remain forever near me, my Savior and my Friend;
I shall not fear life’s struggles if you are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.
O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will!
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control!
O speak, and make me listen, O guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you
That where you are in glory your servant shall be, too;
And, Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow my Savior and my Friend!
Benediction
Sending music