Order of Service / Easter 5 / May 3, 2026

 # Gathering Hymn This is the Day That God Has Made (#175 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: This is the day that God has made.

  All: We will rejoice and be glad in it.

One: Let us worship the One who is the Way when we are lost.

All: Christ is the Truth when we are confused.

One: Christ is the Life when we feel weary or empty.

  All: In Christ, we are called out of darkness into light.

One: We gather as God’s beloved people.

  All: Alleluia! We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing (#169 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Generous God, you bless us with many good things. Forgive us when we trust the gifts more than the Giver, when we always want more, and when we forget the needs of others. Open our eyes to the blessings that truly give life. Renew our hearts with gratitude, generosity, and trust. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God’s mercy is generous and true. When we turn again to God, we are met with grace, not fear. In Christ, we are forgiven, renewed, and called to live with grateful hearts.

All: Thanks be to God. We receive God’s grace with joy, and we will walk in gratitude, generosity, and trust.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Little by Little, TLUS 134)

Little by little by little. Little by little by little.

Little by little by little I know, the tiniest seeds will grow.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Acts 7:55-60 Stephen is stoned.

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (VU p. 758 |P. 1&3) My times are in your hands.

John 14:1-14 I am the way, the truth, the life.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory (#686 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures high and low;

give thanks to God in love made known;

Creator, Word and Spirit, One.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
 God of generosity and abundance, we offer these gifts to you as a sign of our faith and trust in you. Everything we have comes from your goodness, and we give back with grateful hearts. Bless these offerings, and bless the lives, work, and hopes they represent. May they help bring care to those in need, welcome to those who feel alone, and encouragement to those who are weary. Use these gifts to share your light, your hope, and your love in our community and in the world. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Will You come and Follow Me (#567 VU | vs. 1,2,4)

*Commissioning

One: Go from this place as people of the Risen Christ.

All: We go to follow the way of love.

One: Speak the truth with kindness.

All: We go to share the life God has given us.

One: God’s love holds us now and always.

All: Thanks be to God. We go in faith, hope, and love. Amen.

*Commissioning Song I Am Sending You Light (#99 TLUS)

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

No matter where you go, no matter where you’ve been;

You’ll never walk alone. I feel you deep within.

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

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