FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—5/15/2022

		"The one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Revelation 21.5 THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 15, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship and Meditation
		CENTERING IN PREPARATION Let us be still for a moment as we draw near to worship God. Let us remind ourselves why we are gathered together today. Listen. God speaks even through the background noise of the world around us. O God, in this short time together, open our eyes to see your vision for this place and our part within it. Teach us, hear our prayers, and enable us for service wherever you might take us, to your praise and glory. SONG OF PRAISE "Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken" (Click Here For Music) —John Newton (1725-1807) —Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) "Austrian Hymn" 1 Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion, city of our God; he whose word cannot be broken formed you for his own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, what can shake your sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, you may smile at all your foes. 2 See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love, well supply your sons and daughters and all fear of want remove. Who can faint while such a river ever will their thirst assuage? Grace which, like the Lord, the giver, never fails from age to age. 3 Round each habitation hov'ring, see the cloud and fire appear for a glory and a cov'ring, showing that the Lord is near. Thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day, safe they feed upon the manna which he gives them on their way. 4 Savior, since of Zion's city I thro' grace a member am, let the world deride or pity, I will glory in your name. Fading are the world's vain pleasures, all their boasted pomp and show; solid joys and lasting treasures none but Zion's children know. GATHERING WORDS We come to worship the One who is the Beginning and the End. The Holy One, our Alpha and Omega. The First and the Last and the All that is between is making all things new. Nothing is as it was. It is a new day, a new faith, a new hope, a new love, and a new peace. Letting go of each yesterday we enter into the today of God's making. The day of God's making is here and in this day God is making us anew! PRAYER FOR THE DAY Alpha and Omega, First and Last, glory outshining all the lights of heaven: pour out upon us your Spirit of faithful love and abundant compassion, so that we may rejoice in the splendor of your works while we wait in expectation for the new heaven and the new earth you promise when Christ shall come again. Amen. ALLELUIA "Alleluia! Sing To Jesus" (Click Here For Music) —William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) —Rowland Hugh Prichard (1811–1887) "Hyfrydol" 1 Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne; Alleluia! his the triumph, His the victory alone; Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood; Jesus out of ev’ry nation Has redeemed us by his blood. 2 Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to God on high; Alleluia to the Savior Who has won the victory; Alleluia to the Spirit, Font of love and sanctity; Alleluia! Alleluia! To the triune majesty. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION O God of promise, your word made flesh in Jesus Christ is trustworthy and true. By the power of your Holy Spirit, may it rise up in us this day like a gift from the spring of the water of life to refresh our thirsty souls. Amen. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost (p. 162). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition. FIRST READING Ezekiel 37.24-27 24 “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes. 25 They shall live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your ancestors lived; they and their children and their children’s children shall live there forever, and my servant David shall be their prince forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will bless[g] them and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore. 27 My dwelling place shall be over them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations shall know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forevermore.” PSALMODY Psalm 84 1 What a beautiful home, O God of Hosts! 2 I’ve always longed to live in a place like this, always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to the Living God! 3 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. 4 O God of Hosts! Our Sovereign One! God Most High! How blessed they are to live and sing there! 5 And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; 6 they wind through shadowed valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! 7 They go from strength to strength, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn is Zion! God in full view! 8 God of Hosts, listen: O God of Jacob, hear my prayer. 9 Like a Shield, glistening in the sun, our faces, shining with your gracious anointing. 10 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent elsewhere. I’d rather be a servant in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of godlessness. 11 All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory. God does not withhold anything good from those who follow in God's way. 12 Blessed happiness is for those who trust in you, O God of Hosts. SECOND READING Revelation 21.1-6 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. The Holy One will dwell with them as their God, they will be God's peoples, and God will be with them; 4 God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." 5 And the One who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also the Enthroned One said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 Then the Holy One said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. THIRD READING John 14.1-3,15-19,23b-27 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In God'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? 3 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. 15 If you love me and obey the command I give you, 16 I will ask the One who sent me to give you another Comforter, another Helper to be with you always— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept since the world neither sees Her nor recognizes Her; but you can recognize the Spirit because She remains with you and will be within you. 18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 23 ...“Those who love me will keep my word, and God will love them, and we will come to them and make our dwelling place with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from God who sent me. 25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate-Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything and She will remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. SONG OF FAITH "Of The Father's Love Begotten" (For Music Click Here) —Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, (348-410) —J. M. (John Mason)Neale, (1818-1866) Translator —Plain Song (13th Century) Divine Mysterium —Michael Lining Music (A Capella version) Singing All 4 Parts 1 Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be, he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see evermore and evermore. 2 Oh, that birth forever blessed when the virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race, and the babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face evermore and evermore. 3 This is he whom seers and sages sang of old with one accord, whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word. Now he shines, the long-expected; let creation praise its Lord evermore and evermore. 4 Let the heights of heav'n adore him, angel hosts his praises sing, pow'rs, dominions bow before him and extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, ev'ry voice in concert ring evermore and evermore. 5 Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unending praises be, honor, glory, and dominion and eternal victory evermore and evermore. PRAYER Eternal God, you are the beginning, and you are the end. You are the source, and you are the destination. You are the spring of the waters of our lives. And you are the sea toward which we flow. We pray that you would send your Holy Spirit to fall upon our lives again today. Refresh our faith, renew our course, and help us live for you. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION You love us without questioning, heal and bring wholeness without prejudice, embrace us as a parent would their child. Forgive us when we forget, feel isolated and alone, and don’t know where to turn. Forgive us when we fail you, choose those we will minister to and don’t listen to your word. You love us without questioning; may we bring compassion, healing and peace without prejudice to all whom you might lead us to this day. SONG OF FAITH "O Holy City Seen Of John" (Click Here For Music) —Walter Russell Bowie (1882–1969) —Elkanah Kelsay Dare (1782-1826) "Morning Song" —Oasis Chorale (A Capella) 1 O Holy City, seen of John, Where Christ, the Lamb, does reign, Within those four-square walls shall come No night, nor need, nor pain, And where the tears are wiped from eyes That shall not weep again. 2 O shame to us who rest content While lust and greed for gain In street and shop and tenement Wring gold from human pain, And bitter lips in blind despair Cry, "Christ has died in vain." 3 Give us, O God, the strength to build The City that has stood Too long a dream, whose laws are love, Whose ways, the common good, And where the shining sun becomes God’s grace for human good. 4 Already in the mind of God That City rises fair: Lo, how its splendor challenges The souls that greatly dare: Yea, bids us seize the whole of life And build its glory there. PRAYER Surprising God, in the resurrection of your Only-Beogotten-And-Beloved-One you make all things new. Long ago you called your church to a love beyond all social and cultural differences and gave them the gift of your Holy Spirit to open their hearts to enact such love. Give us that same spirit of openness, that we too might discern new directions in our day for your dream to reconcile and heal all creation. For blessed are You, and blessed is your Kin-Dom forevermore. Amen. —Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. (adapted) PRAYER OF INTERCESSION Holy God, you have called us to follow in the way of your Risen-Anointed-One, and to care for those who are our companions, not only with words of comfort, but with acts of love. Seeking to be true friends of all, we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world: saying, O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For the well-being of your creation, that we may promote its ability to offer praise to you through spacious skies, bountiful seas, verdant lands, and precious creatures great and small. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For the life of the church, that our generous witness may broaden your table as all find a place to live and grow in love. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For the welfare of your world, that all leaders and people young and old will strive to live together in harmony while serving the common good. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For all who suffer any violence, pain, or grief, that they will know the comfort of your presence as you wipe every tear from their eyes. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For the love made known to us in Jesus Christ through this community, for this and all other blessings we give you thanks and praise. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For all who have died, that you will bring them to the fullness of your joy, where mourning and pain will be no more. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. For so many blessings, and for answered prayers, we give you thanks. O God of love, Raise us to new life in Christ. Guide us, O God, in the path of discipleship, so that, as you have blessed us, we may be a blessing for others, bringing the promise of the kingdom near by our words and deeds. Amen. PRAYER OF JESUS Our mother, which art the earth, Nurturing are thy ways. Thy web of life be woven Thy way be found within, As it is all around. Thank you this day for our daily bread and work and forgive us our misuse of you, as we forgive others their misuse of us. And lead us not into exploitation, But deliver us From lording it over you, And over each other, And over all our other fellow creatures. For thine are the waters of life, The hills, valleys and plains of home, The breeding, seeding, feeding ground, For now, and for as close to forever As we will ever come. Ah, woman! —Earth Dance, based on the Lord's Prayer, Minnesota Women's Press, 12/1999 SONG OF PRAISE IN GOING FORTH "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (Click Here For Music) —Charles Wesley (1707-1788) —John Zundel (1870) "Beecher" 1 Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heav’n, to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art. Visit us with thy salvation; enter ev'ry trembling heart. 2 Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into ev’ry troubled breast. Let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest. Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be. End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty. 3 Come, Almighty, to deliver, let us all thy life receive. Suddenly return, and never, nevermore they temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love. 4 Finish, then, thy new creation; true and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee. Changed from glory into glory, till in heav’n we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise. DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING May God who has made you a new creation give you the grace to grow in faith, hope, love, and justice.
Please note: As to my original and current aim, what I provide here is both "contemporary" and "inclusive" in language. This aim is to meet the need for worship that frees God and us from male gender bias and the long tradition wherein that has been central. Likewise, during Easter's 50 Days, there are so many beloved songs that witness to the theme of this blog—resurrection and life as being known and experienced in doing justice, loving kindness, and walk humbly with our God. Now, when it comes to hymns and music, I find myself in a quandary. My usual practice has been to simply not include the songs of the church if they were outside the aim of inclusion, knowing full well that most hymns are not contemporary being written earlier when traditional theological terms and expressions were employed. I find, however, that music adds so much beauty and sacred sound to worship. Thus, in some weeks I have included hymns and songs that unfortunately use gender exclusive langauge. I am sorry if this offends anyone. I often take offense with such things myself. Might I suggest that is the music selections do not bring blessing and express the faith of your heart of hearts, simply read past them and avoid the CLICK HERE links.