Interlude, A time of prayer: “Christmas Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Cax99gVSA
Call to Worship: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 Read Aloud Together
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me."
Hymn of Praise: “Rescue” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PugD11k3JU
Invocation & Lord’s Prayer: Loving God,
We come to you and welcome you into our home and hearts.
You are our Creator and Provider, You formed us in our mother’s wombs.
To whom today we give thanks and ask your blessings for.
Help us to love and obey your will, like a child to it’s mother,
For you are the Father/Mother of all creation, and we praise your name
And submit to your will as your son taught us to pray:
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
Mother’s Day Poem
May you know the love of God, More and more each day And know how much He values you In every little way Today, we want to let you know, We appreciate what you do And we want you to know that we Are thinking now of you.
© By M.S. Lowndes
We miss being together on this Mother’s Day. It is always such a special day in the life of our church. We have always treasured the annual tradition of giving out carnations to all the ladies in the church and recognizing those special mothers. This year we recognize one special mother, the oldest and wisest, our beloved Alice Noel that is an inspiration to us all. Even though we are not sitting in the church sanctuary together, we are thinking of each and every lady in our church family and we thank you for all you do and for the encouragement and joy that you give to us and those that surround you. We love you and may God bless you.
1 Corinthians 13: 13 says: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Hymn of Prayer: “More than enough” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7EfJRrJueY
The First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
Children Worship & Wonder Video (all ages encouraged to watch and participate):
“The Good Shepherd and the Lord’s Supper Part 2” Video Available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvv_dOWdLvA4Tx3E79cVSrQ
Readings from the Epistles and the Gospel:
1 Peter 2:2-10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner”, and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
John 14:1-14
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
Please remember to support our church and its ministries (Food Pantry, Samaritan Fund, Children & Youth, etc.) during this time with your tithes & offerings.
Donate Safely Online via Givelify @ https://giv.li/w063gb
Doxology: (Words below, for an interesting modern take on this song, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGPtYkaT6-o)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Communion Hymn: “Mama's Knees-Mother's Day Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szeiHBLsaQ
At this time, We encourage all to prepare their own Sacraments for communion to share as a family. Reverently and prayerfully prepare the bread and the cup.
Communion Service Video with Rev. Bob Lane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlVUCoIC3uE
LESSONS:
Sermon Video “The Cost” from Rev. Bob: https://youtu.be/VQzf1cK_njU
Audio Sermon from Rev. Paul Simrell (Elpis): https://igw3.blog/
Hymn of Commitment: “The Way of the Cross leads home” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD0ZuX8Qf0E
Go Now in Peace Holly Grove, Speak God’s word and Do God’s Work. Amen.