New and need to know how to log in to attend online? Stop by our Visitor Connect before the service begins.
COMMUNITY NEWS
OPENING PRAYER
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
PRELUDE
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN I Love You Lord, Today – 580
I love You, I love You, I love You, Lord, today
because You care for me in such a special way.
And yes I praise You. I lift You up. I magnify Your name.
That’s why my heart is filled with praise.
My heart, my mind, my soul belong to You.
You paid the price for me way back on Calvary.
And yes I praise You. I lift You up. I magnify Your name.
That’s why my heart is filled with praise.
PEACE and GREETINGS
OFFERING Your offerings sustain the work of the church, especially in this time. If you are able, please make a contribution online here on the website. You can also mail a check to the church.
ANTHEM OF PRAISE – Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey and the Congregation
Friend of God
Chorus – I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God, God calls me friend (repeat)
Verse 1:solo
Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it’s amazing!
All
Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it’s amazing, it’s amazing, it’s amazing!
Chorus
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
God calls me friend
(Repeat Chorus)
Bridge:
God almighty
Lord of glory
You have called me friend
(Repeat Bridge four times)
Chorus 4 times
I am a friend of God (etc.)
Ending
You call me friend (three times)
READING John 15:9-17
As my Abba has loved me, so have I loved you. Live on in my love. And you will live on in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I live on in Abba God’s love and have kept God’s commandments.
I tell you all this that my joy may be yours, and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. And you are my friends, if you do what I command you. I no longer speak of you as subordinates, because a subordinate doesn’t know a superior’s business.
Instead I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learned from Abba God. It was not you who chose me; it was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit. Your fruit must endure, so that whatever you ask of Abba God in my name God will give you.
This command I give you: that you love one another.
May we be blessed by the reading of this word. Amen
MESSAGE – Rev. Sonya Gravlee, Beloved Community Congregational Care Pastor
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us pray together! We share our prayers of joy and thanksgiving; prayers of concern or sorrow; and prayers for the world and its people.
We end each prayer by saying “This is my prayer” and then together we will affirm that “This is our prayer.” If you are online, you may also write a prayer in the chat section – or send it before or after worship here.
CCOMMUNION
LITANY (please join together in reading the parts in bold)
As we come to the Lord’s table, let us come with a spirit of humility and penitence.
Compassionate God, have mercy on us we pray.
Let us examine ourselves: our thoughts, our actions, our motives, and our attitudes toward others.
O Holy God, have mercy and forgive us our shortcomings.
Help us to remember our responsibility to our families and our neighbors, our stewardship to you, and the work you have given to our hands.
O Living God, we stand in need of your grace, strength, and mercy.
As we eat the bread, which represents your body, which is the True and Living Bread, open our eyes to recognize the intimacy that you yearn to share with us.
O Loving God, teach us to love you above all else.
As we drink the cup, which represents Christ’s blood shed for us, we thank you for the new covenant, “Love ye one another,” which is written in our hearts. Let us rejoice because our names are written in heaven. (Matthew 13:34).
Tender Father and Mother, may your great sacrifice of redeeming love renew us for loving service and sacrifice for others.
May this Lord’s Supper energize every area of our lives and enable us to transcend our circumstances, our inadequacies, and our enemies.
God who sees us, touch and empower us so that our lives will be renewed.
We praise you, O God, who made us your own people through the death and resurrection of your Son, our Lord.
Abide in us, Savior and Redeemer. Fill us with the life-giving power of your Spirit, now and forever.
CLOSING HYMN The Gospel in One Word Is Love
Love, love, love, love,
The Gospel in one word is love,
Love your neighbor as yourself,
Love, love, love
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Translation from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation. Hymns and Communion Liturgy from the African American Heritage Hymnal.
