Fifth Sunday after Easter May 22, 2011

GATHERING
Call to w orship: Psalm 33:1-5
         Leader:         Ring out y our joy to our God, O you just;
         All:              f or praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
         Leader:          Give thanks to God upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute play your songs.
         All:                       Sing to God a song that is new, play loudly, with all your skill.
         Leader:  For the word of God is faithful and all God's works done in truth.
         All:              Our God loves justice and right and fills the earth with love.
         Leader: It is good to give thanks to God,
         All:              to sing praises to your name, O Most High.
         Leader:         We declare your steadfast love in the morning,
         All:              and your faithfulness by night. Amen.
Opening p rayer
SSF Songbook Something which is k now n
HWB 145 There's a wideness in God's m ercy
Offering
Confession : God of endless possibility, we confess that we do not always perceive the opportunities you place before us. Caught up in our own hopes, plans, and fantasies, and crushed when they disappoint us, we are slow to see the open pathways you set before us. Open our eyes, that we may accept the new life you offer us, and thus show forth the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen .
HWB 152 Kyrie

HEARING THE WORD
A time for all God's children
Scripture : Acts 5:17-31, Acts 7:54-60
Message

RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Hymn of r esponse
Sharing o ur j oys, c oncerns and p rayer
         Response : Holy One, our o nly h ome, b lessed be your name. May your day dawn, y our will be done, h ere, as in heaven. Feed us today, and forgive us a s we forgive each other. Do no t forsake us at the test, b ut deliver us from evil. For the glory, the power, a nd the mercy ar e yours, n ow and forever. A men.

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