ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

MAY 3, 2026                                                                                                  

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SILENT MEDITATION: “If we as congregations allow ourselves to be built into a spiritual house, and if we actually become the kind of communities where hurting bodies and souls can truly find refuge, safety, strength, guidance, and lovingkindness, then we will live into our name and call as the body of Christ.”
– Laurel Mathewson
 

GATHERING MUSIC
GREETING

PRELUDE  “All Are Welcome”                                                

Marty Haugen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 342 “Rock of Ages”                                                                          

TOPLADY

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.
 

Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
Thee for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.
 

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

CALL TO WORSHIP

One:  New life has been revealed to us this Easter season.

All:     May the Risen Lord also be revealed among us.

One:  Early believers were of one heart and soul.

All:     In community we find life as God intends it.

One:  Peace be with you as we continue to celebrate resurrection.

All:    We seek to offer God’s promise of new life to one another.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
O God, you have called us by your name; we are your children. In your mercy, you have restored us to each other and to yourself. Forgive us when we have failed to be mindful and true to that call. Extend to us and to all your children—pardon and peace, blessing and joy. Mend our hearts and let our shared ministry repair our broken world. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

GLORIA PATRI       

Glory be to the Father and to the Son       
and to the Holy Ghost;                                 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,                                 

world without end. Amen. Amen.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                               
PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER          

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC  “Heavenly Sunlight”                                   

George Harrison Cook                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
SCRIPTURE  John 21:15-19; (I Peter 2:2-10)

SERMON “Understanding the Assignment”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 430 “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing”           

SHOWERS OF BLESSING

There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love.
There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.
 

Refrain: Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need.
Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.
 

There shall be showers of blessing - Precious reviving again.
Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. [Refrain]
 

There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord.
Grant to us now a refreshing; Come and now honor Your Word. [Refrain]
 

There shall be showers of blessing: O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we're confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! [Refrain]

 STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “Make Them Hear You”                                         

Stephen Flaherty

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY                                                                     

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;                                        

Praise God, all creatures here below;                                             

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:                                      

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)                                                           

God of All Blessing, we offer you thanks and praise for all we have received from your hand. You surround us with those who love us and with resources that bring us comforts of life. We thank you for the opportunity to share what we have received that others may be comforted and nurtured in faith through the life and ministry of this congregation. Bless the gifts that are brought as we seek to be your faithful community, honoring you with our continued dedication. Amen

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Affirmation and Renewal of Faith

We believe in God:

Who has created and is creating,

Who has come in Jesus,

The Word made flesh,

To reconcile and make new,

Who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:

To celebrate God’s presence,

To love and serve others,

To seek justice and resist evil,

To proclaim Jesus,

Crucified and risen,

Our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

God is with us.

We are not alone.  Thanks be to God.

(United Church of Canada)

Words of Institution    

Sharing the Sacrament

*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)

Thank you, God, for the grace that restores us into fellowship with you and one another. Here we have been united across the space that divides us. Here the good treasure of our faith has been affirmed, rekindled, nurtured and celebrated. Here we have known the presence of your Spirit. May we stand and live, united in one community, to serve and honor you in all we do. Amen 

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 566 “I Am Resolved”                                                                

RESOLUTION

I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world's delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler - These have allured my sight.

Refrain: I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free.
Jesus, Greatest, Highest, I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior, Leaving my sin and strife.
He is the true One; He is the just One, He hath the words of life. [Refrain]

I am resolved to follow the Savior, Faithful and true each day.
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth; He is the Living Way. [Refrain]

I am resolved to enter the Kingdom, Leaving the paths of sin.
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, Still will I enter in. [Refrain]

 I am resolved, and who will go with me? Come, friends, without delay;
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit, We'll walk the heav'nly way. [Refrain]

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE 

“He’s Worthy”                                                   

Sandra Crouch

The Liturgist is Ginger Ruoff.
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL AND TEACHER APPRECIATION SUNDAY
Please join us May 17th as we celebrate the last day of Sunday School and Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day! We will meet at McCoy Park at 9:30 am to share some donuts and laughter. Then the children's class will be able to spend some time enjoying the park. We ask that parents return to retrieve their children by 10:15 am. Donuts will be provided for those attending Sunday School at the church as well. During worship, we will have a special moment of celebration to acknowledge the wonderful Sunday School teachers that share God's light with us every week! We look forward to seeing you there and coming together to celebrate our church community!

LIVING MEMORIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
The Living Memorial Committee will meet May 3rd, following worship.

SHARING TABLE
Take time on Sundays, or anytime during normal office hours, to SHOP at the sharing table. There are Bibles and some old hymnals available if you would like to take one or even more.