Worship - April 22, 2007

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
April 22, 2007
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

Third Sunday of Easter

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:6)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude "Prelude in E Minor" Chopin

*Responsive Call to Worship 689

*Hymn "Holy, holy, holy!" 120

*Opening Prayer (d-9)

Scripture Acts 9:1-6 (after preface)

Song "Shine, Jesus, Shine" (see insert)

Litany of Confession 697

Wellness Moment

Song "Breathe" (see insert)
(words/chords, listen to, story behind)

Scripture Psalm 30

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise

Song "Breathe" (see insert)
(words/chords, listen to, story behind)

Pastoral Prayer

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory "Larghetto" Beethoven
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

Scripture John 21:1-6

Video "Fish Eyes: Breakfast on the Beach" Ted & Lee
(click on "fishing")

Scripture John 21:7-19

Message "Cashew Nuts"

*Hymn "Lord, you have come to the lakeshore" 229

*Benediction

*Postlude "Mountain Peak" Lehman

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Responsive Call to Worship

Our worship this morning begins in the last book of the Bible. The fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation open our prayerful imagination to worship as something much larger than what happens in this room. Our "holy, holy, holy" is part of a bigger song, which includes a heavenly host gathered around the throne of God. "In worship, God gathers his people to himself as center: �The Lord reigns� (Psalm 93:1). Worship is a meeting at the center so that our lives are centered in God... We worship so that we live in response to and from this center, the living God." (Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination, p. 60).

Turn with me just now to #689 in the back of your hymnal, which is also projected overhead. In his Revelation, we see through the eyes of John. Join me as we read responsively, beginning with me:

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne
      and the living creatures and the elders;
      they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
            singing with full voice,
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
            to receive power and wealth, wisdom and might,
            honor and glory and blessing!"
Then I head every creature in heaven
      and on earth and under the earth and in the sea,
            and all that is in them, singing,
"To the One seated on the throne and to the Lamb
            be blessing and honor and glory and might
            forever and ever!"

Hymnal # 689, Revelation 5:11-14
adapted from the NRSV

John continues with these words:
"And the four living creatures said, �Amen!� And the elders fell down and worshiped."

I won�t ask you to "fall down and worship" just now, but don�t just stand there like a bump on a log. Let your "holy, holy� holy" open your door to the One who stands there and knocks. Invite Jesus into this gathering and into your life! #120 in your hymnal.

Preface to reading Acts 9:1-6

Our first reading from the New Testament chronicles the famous "road to Damascus" experience of a Pharisee named Saul, who shifted from an enemy of to a friend of the disciples of Jesus by the blinding light of Christ�s love. May these words turn us toward this same light, which still shines. Along the way, may we let go of our own inner violence and seek to walk in the light of his grace and mercy. Listen to this story from Acts 9:1-6.

Litany of Confession

Leader:   O Prince of peace,
               from peace that is no peace,
               from the grip of all that is evil,
               from a violent righteousness�
People:   deliver us.
Leader:   from paralysis of will,
               from lies and misnaming,
               from terror of truth�
People:   deliver us.
Leader:   From hardness of heart,
               from trading in slaughter,
               from the worship of death�
People:   deliver us.
Leader:   By the folly of your gospel,
               by your choosing our flesh,
               by your nakedness and pain�
People:   heal us.
Leader:   By your weeping over the city,
               by your refusal of the sword,
               by your facing of horror�
People:   heal us.
Leader:   By your bursting from the tomb,
               by your coming in judgment,
               by your longing for peace �
People:   heal us.
       All:   Grant us peace. AMEN

Hymnal #697 - Peace litany, 20th c., source unknown

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Jesus once said, "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) As you return your offering just now, imagine how you might do that this week. Be creative. There are all sorts of possibilities - if only we are willing and daring enough to try.

Oh, and would you sign - legibly, please - and pass the attendance booklets while the plates are passed. The deacons thank you for this. They allow their light to shine by care-giving.

Ushers, would you now come and receive our offerings?

Benediction

May God bless the world in which you move,
         and bless your home and bless your friends.
May God bless the eyes with which you see,
         and bless the ears with which you listen.
May God bless the way you use your hands,
                bless the way you employ your tongues.

(from a Celtic prayer, borrowed from Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia)