(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos. Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “New Pastures”)
All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)
Pray: O God, you summon the day to dawn, you teach the morning to waken the earth. For you the valleys shall sing for joy, the trees of the field shall clap their hands. For you the kings of the earth shall bow, the poor and the persecuted shall shout for joy. Your love and mercy shall last forever, fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise. Great is your name. Great is your love. Amen
Sing or Listen: Traditional: Be Thou My Vision
Contemporary: Be Unto Your Name
Confess: Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute.
Be Assured: Christ is our peace; those who are divided he has made one. He has broken down the barriers of separation by his death and has built is up into one body, with God. To all who repent and believe he has promised reconciliation. So live as people reconciled. Amen.
Read God’s Word:
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Acts 2:42-47 (New Revised Standard Version)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Listen to the Sermon: “New Pastures”
Think or Discuss: What new pastures is the Wolcott Congregational Church called to? How are we called to reflect God’s love in Jesus Christ in the world?
Do: Call an elder or someone who’s under particularly strict isolation, and share some words of encouragement or a joke.
Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.
Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)
Sing or Listen: Traditional: Nearer, My God, To Thee
Contemporary: 10,000 Reasons
Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.
After Worship, Our Service begins…
Serve: (Safely) Can you donate blood? Hospitals are reporting trouble finding donors. Find a blood drive at redcrossblood.org or call 1(800)733-2767 to find a time and place that works for you.