John Calvin Presbyterian Church

with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

 

2 O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,

with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;

and keep us in God’s grace, and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ills in this world and the next.

WORDS OF WELCOME        

MINUTE FOR MISSION                  Summer Kick Off Picnic                                             

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP John 15:13

ONE: There is no greater love than this:

MANY: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, you have prepared for those who love you

joys beyond understanding. Pour into our hearts such love for you,

that, loving you above all else, we may obtain your promises,

which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever. Amen

HYMN [GTG#192]   “Lord the Light of Your Love Is Shining” 

Lord, the light of your love is shining,

In the midst of the darkness, shining;

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us;

Set us free by the truth you now bring us.

Shine on me, shine on me.

 

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

 

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,

From the shadows into your radiance;

by the blood I may enter your brightness.

Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.

Shine on me; shine on me (Refrain)

 

As we gaze on your kingly brightness,

So our faces display your likeness;

ever changing from glory to glory,

mirrored here may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me; shine on me. (Refrain)

 

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#475] 

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON       

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]      

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.

THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.144 or 115] Rom. 3:28-30 5:1-11

For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 

SERMON:          The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH       Theological Declaration of Barmen 

Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.

    As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures.

   The church’s commission, upon which its freedom is founded, consists in delivering the message of the free grace of God to all people in Christ’s stead, and therefore in the ministry of his own Word and work through sermon and Sacrament. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “23rd Psalm”  Bobby McFerrin 

 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Allelujah, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus Fully know:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia!

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN “Faith of Our Mothers”

1 Faith of our mothers, living still
In cradle song and bedtime prayer;
In nursery lore and fireside love,
Thy presence still pervades the air.
Faith of our mothers, living faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

 

2 Faith of our mothers, loving faith,
Fount of our childhood’s trust and grace,
Oh, may thy consecration prove
Source of a finer, nobler race;
Faith of our mothers, loving faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

3 Faith of our mothers, guiding faith,
For youthful longing, youthful doubt,
How blurred our vision, blind our way,
Thy providential care without.
Faith of our mothers, guiding faith,
We will be true to thee till death.
4 Faith of our mothers, Christian faith,
In truth beyond our stumbling creeds,
Still serve the home and save the Church,
And breathe thy spirit through our deeds;
Faith of our mothers, Christian faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

 

PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. 

Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. 

Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. 

Glory to you, Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 

 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#192] “Shine Jesus Shine”

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

1. We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,

We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

3. We will work with each other, We will work side by side,

We will work with each other, We will work side by side,

And we’ll guard human dignity And save human pride:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

WORDS OF WELCOME 

MINUTE FOR MISSION                                      PW Birthday Offering                                        

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP John 13:34

ONE: This is our new commandment in Christ:

MANY: As Jesus loves us, let us love one another.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will.

Make us love what you command and desire what you promise,

that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

HYMN Of The MONTH [GTG#192]  

 “Lord the Light of Your Love Is Shining” 

Lord, the light of your love is shining,

In the midst of the darkness, shining;

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us;

Set us free by the truth you now bring us.

Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,

From the shadows into your radiance;

by the blood I may enter your brightness.

Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.

Shine on me; shine on me (Refrain)

As we gaze on your kingly brightness,

So our faces display your likeness;

ever changing from glory to glory,

mirrored here may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me; shine on me. (Refrain)

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#399] “God Welcomes All”

God welcomes all, strangers and friends 

God’s love is strong and it never ends. (repeat)

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON       

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]      

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.

THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.142 or 152]   Romans 1:1-17

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish — hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:     “The Power of the Gospel”    The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Shorter Catechism:

ONE: What is the main purpose for humanity?

MANY: The main purpose for humanity is to glorify and enjoy God forever.

ONE: What rule has God given to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God?

MANY: The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God.

ONE: What do the Scriptures mainly teach?

MANY: The Scriptures mainly teach what we are to believe about God, and what duty God requires of us.

ONE: How many Persons are there in the Trinity?

MANY: There are three Persons in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

ONE: What is Sin?

MANY: Sin is any lack of obedience to, or violation of, the law of God.

ONE: What does this state of sin mean for humanity?

MANY: This state of sin means that humanity: bears the guilt of Adam and Eve’s first sin, lacks the righteousness that God intended for us, and that human nature has been corrupted; along with all actual transgressions which result from our fallen nature.

ONE: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

MANY: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and human, in two distinct natures, and one Person forever.

ONE; How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

MANY: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY   Christ is Risen from the Dead Lloyd Larson 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Allelujah, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus Fully know:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia!

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ONE: … Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

MANY: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory…

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

SONG DURING COMMUNION [GTG #527]

Eat this bread; drink this cup; come to me and never be hungry.

Eat this bread; drink this cup; trust in me and you will not thirst.” (Repeat)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  

HYMN [BLUE#466*] [GTG#610]   

“O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”

1 O for a thousand tongues to sing my dear Redeemer’s praise,

the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!

2 The name of Jesus charms our fears, and bids our sorrows cease,

sing music in the sinner’s ears, brings life, and health and peace.

3 Christ speaks, and listening to his voice new life the dead receive; the mournful waken to rejoice; the poor in heart believe. 

4 My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,

to spread through  all the earth abroad the honors of your name.

5 To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever given

by saints below and saints above, the Church in earth and heaven.

PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. 

Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. 

Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. 

Glory to you, Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#192] “Shine Jesus Shine”

Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father’s glory

Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire

Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light

POSTLUDE:  “Overture” from Fireworks Music by G.F. Handel

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

Church Office 504.888.1375

Playschool Office           504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff

Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader

Sam Garnett – Music Director

Kelly Cuppett – Assistant Music Director

Lauren Oufnac – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click  “Prayer Request.”

1. Let us build a house Where love can dwell and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions: 

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

2. Let us build a house where prophets speak,

 and words are strong and true,

where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness and a symbol of God’s grace;

here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

4. Let us build a house where hands will reach

 beyond the wood and stone

to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, 

and live the Word they’ve known.

Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;

let us bring an end to fear and danger:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

5. Let us build a house where all are named, 

their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,

let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                            Acts 13:1-3

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                                

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION     

    God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen.           

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*GLORIA PATRI #579 

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.

PROCLAMATION

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN            

FIRST LESSON  [Pew Bible NT pg.125 or 133] Acts 14:21-15:5        

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’ And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.

Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. And they stayed there with the disciples for some time.

Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.’                                

REFLECTION                                                       the Rev. Aaron Ochart

*SONG [Blue #358]  [GTG 754] Help Us Accept Each Other

Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;

teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.

Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe

we are ourselves accepted, and meant to love and live.

2. Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life

we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith. 

Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,

to love them as we find them, or as they may become. 

3. Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved

in living situations to do the truth in love;

to practice your acceptance until we know by heart

the table of forgiveness, and laughter’s healing art. 

4. Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need, 

who hunger for acceptance, for justice and for bread,

we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:

renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us; make us one!

SECOND LESSON [Pew Bible NT pg.126 or 134]              Acts 15:6-21

The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.’

The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, ‘My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,

“After this I will return,

and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;

   from its ruins I will rebuild it,

     and I will set it up,

so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—

   even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.

     Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.”

Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.’

 RESPONSE     

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS 

OFFERTORY [GTG 767]              “Together We Serve”

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Allelujah, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus Fully known

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

CLOSING LESSON  Acts 15:22-35

    Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their members and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, with the following letter: ‘The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the believers of Gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds, we have decided unanimously to choose representatives and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.’

So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. When its members read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believers to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord.                       

CLOSING SONG [GTG 319] Men of Faith Rise Up And Sing (Shout to the North)

1. Men of faith rise up and sing of the great and glorious King.

You are strong when you feel weak; in your brokenness complete.     

Refrain: Shout to the north and the south, 

sing to the east and the west.

Jesus is savior to all, Lord of heaven and earth. 

2. Rise up women of the truth. Stand and sing to broken hearts

who can know the healing power of our awesome King of love. (Refrain)

Bridge: We’ve been through fire; we’ve been through rain;

we’ve been refined by the power of your name.

We’ve fallen deeper in love with you. 

You’ve burned the truth on our lips. (Refrain)

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG 319] Men of Faith Rise Up And Sing (Shout to the North)

3. Rise up, church, with broken wings; fill this place with songs again

With his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

 

2 Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,

her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.

One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,

and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.

WORDS OF WELCOME                                                      

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

ONE: Beloved, we are God’s children now;

MANY: when Christ is revealed, we will be like him.

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

MANY: Almighty God, through your only Son you overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. Grant that we who celebrate our Lord’s resurrection, may, through the renewing power of your Spirit, arise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG#318]   “In Christ There is No East or West” 

1. In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,

but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

 

2. In Christ, shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;

his service is the golden cord close-binding humankind. 

 

3. Join hands, disciples of the faith, what e’er your race may be. 

All children of the living God are surely kin to me. 

 

4. In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north. All Chistly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth. 

 

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#399] “God Welcomes All”

God welcomes all, strangers and friends 

God’s love is strong and it never ends.

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON       

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]      

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.

THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.120 or 128]   Acts 10:1-17, 34-48

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.’ When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate.

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 

SERMON:     “What God has Made Clean”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Scots Confession 3.01 

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by [God’s] inscrutable providence for such end as [God’s] eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of [God’s] own glory.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY   “Bleached” by Video Days

Caleb Hebert, Piano 

 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Allelujah, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus Fully know:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia!

REMEMBRANCE of BAPTISM

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#120*] [GTG#277]   

“Hail Thee Festival Day”

Refrain: Hail thee festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;

day when our Lord was raised, breaking the kingdom of death.

 

1. All the fair beauty of the earth 

from the death of the winter arising! 

Every good gift of the year now with Master returns: (Refrain)

 

5. Spirit of life and of power, 

now flow in us, fount of our being, 

light that enlightens us all, life that in all may abide: (Refrain)

 

PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. 

Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. 

Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. 

Glory to you, Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 

and Little Farms UCC

Easter Cantata

Second Sunday of Easter

April 16th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart                            

Bold face indicates congregational participation.          

* indicates to stand in body or in spirit

GATHERING

PRELUDE                      

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN {Blue#155] [GTG# 363]        “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” 

1 Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore!

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, and triumph evermore.

Lift up your heart; lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

2 Our Savior, Jesus, reigns, the God of truth and love;

when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above.

Lift up your heart; lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

3 His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o’er earth and heaven;

the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given.

Lift up your heart; lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

4 Rejoice in glorious hope! For Christ, the Judge, shall come

and gather all the saints to their eternal home.

Lift up your heart; lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

WORDS OF WELCOME                   

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP (John 20:19, 21)

ONE: Peace be with you. Jesus stands among us.

MANY: Peace be with you. The risen Lord is here.

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON       

GLORIA PATRI (Blue#579) (GTG581)      

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.

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE READING [Pew Bible NT pg.32 or 33]         Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

RESPONSIVE HYMN [GTG543] “God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me”

God be the love to search and keep me

God be the prayer to move my voice

God be the strength to now uphold me

O Christ, surround me

O Christ, surround me

EASTER CANTATA

“No Greater Love”

By Lloyd Larson

Music Director/Conductor: Sam Garnett

Assistant Music Director/Accompanist: Kelly Cuppett

Narration: Louise Ochart

Choir: Bill Bottomley, Lila Crotty, Pat Ellzey, Will Ellzey, Cheryl Emory, Sharon Fortin, Briana Mayfield, Cameron Mayfield, Aaron Ochart, Ron Palmisano, Lindsay Shin, Betty Wan, Theo Wan, and Dee Watkins

Forward From the Composer

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (Jn. 15:13)

This biblical verse has always enthralled me. It is certainly a succinct summary of the sacrifice that Jesus demonstrated for His followers and for us. It also reflects the immeasurable gift of this One who subjected Himself to hate, rejection, and ultimately a cruel death on the cross merely because He lived a life of service and love for others. Truly amazing!

In our world, love is a prominent theme. It is addressed in all forms of media, from music to movies, from TV to think tanks. We yearn for it. We need it. We value it on a personal level. It is something all of us have experienced in some fashion. Yet, we struggle to define it, to receive it, or to adequately convey it to the important people in our daily circles of life.

Jesus brought a whole new dimension to the meaning of love. In a world where selfish love was the norm, Jesus modeled a selfless form of love. He whole-heartedly gave of Himself while anticipating nothing in return. What does that kind of love mean for us? Our feeble words may attempt to explain and describe it. But it is in our actions that we validate what selfless love truly is.

You or I may never be called upon to sacrifice our love for another person. But each day we likely have the opportunity to sacrifice our preferences, our convenience, our time, our resources for the sake of others. Whether noticed or not, it seems to me that this is one of the great lessons to be modeled by those of us who claim to be followers of Christ, who lived a life of perfect love.

We cannot journey to the cross and ultimately an empty tomb without again being challenged by Jesus to be conduits of love. That may mean offering a cup of cold water to a thirsty person or it may mean sacrificing our all to save another from catastrophe. Our Lord has demonstrated that love is something we live out in the daily deeds of life, be they large or small. Love one another as I have loved you. (Jn 13:34). There is no greater love than this. 

-Lloyd Larson

“Sing Hosanna to the King!”

Sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna to the King!

Lift your voice in praise and let it ring.

Sing hosanna to the King of kings, sing hosanna to the King.

Lift up your heads, O mighty gates; open wide you ancient doors

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory who comes in the name of the Lord?

He is the Lord Almighty! Sing hosanna to the King!

Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang; 

through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.

To Jesus who had blessed them, close folded to His breast,

the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

Hosanna in the highest! That ancient song we sing;

for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heav’n our King.

O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice,

and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!

“Remember Me”

Remember Me in the bread and wine, remember Me in these sacred signs.

Take the truths I’ve planted in your soul,

share with others that they may be whole,

and remember you are mine.

Remember Me, seek and you shall find; remember Me till the end of time.

Go to all the world and save the lost; go and serve as one, count not the cost,

And remember you are mine.

Go and teach, go and preach, be a light that all may see.

Go and pray, I will guide your way, and my truth will set you free.

“Alone in the Garden He Prays”

Alone in the garden the Savior kneels to pray.

“My God, my God, please take this cup away!

Yet not my will, but Your will be done.”

Alone in the garden He prays.

Alone in the garden, Gethsemane, the Savior prays beneath the trees.

“My soul is in anguish, with grief overwhelmed.”

Alone in the garden He prays.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,

what wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss

to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul.

Alone in the garden, a solemn, holy place,

the Savior pleads, blood and sweat stain His face.

“Abba, take this cup from me, but Your will be done.”

Alone in the garden He prays.

“Betrayed, Rejected, Condemned”

Christ was betrayed, rejected, condemned by His very own,

yet He chose to bear sin’s heavy load.

He was denied, abandoned by those He came to save,

and alone He walked Calv’ry’s road.

Betrayed by Judas for thirty silver coins, 

and a gentle kiss in the garden where He prayed.

Denied by Peter, His faithful, loyal friend:

the “Rock” who said he’d love Him to the end!

Rejected by those who had hailed Him as their King!

“Free Barabbas!” they did loudly proclaim.

Condemned, convicted in a trial of deceit,

the Savior bore our cross of shame!

“Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs”

Surely He has borne our griefs. Surely He has borne our sorrows.

He was wounded for us, bruised and rejected for us.

The chastisement of our sin was placed on Him.

Surely He has borne our griefs. Surely He has borne our sorrows.

He was chosen for us, alone, He stands there for us.

The sins of all the world were placed on Him.

All we like sheep have gone astray, we’ve turned to our own way,

yet by His stripes we have been healed.

Messiah, holy Lamb of God, Redeemer full of love,

rejected Man of sorrows.

“Man of Sorrows,” what a name for the Son of God, who came.

He came for ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished,” was His cry;

now in heav’n exalted high! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

“There Is No Greater Love”

Truly this was the Son of God, blameless, the perfect Lamb of God.

Yet He paid the price, holy sacrifice!

Truly this was God’s Son.

Worthy! This servant sent from God. Redeemer, eternal love of God!

Yet He died for me. How can it be?

Truly this was God’s son.

There is no greater love than this; 

no greater sacrifice than this that One lay down His life so willingly, 

this One who lived so perfectly.

There’s no greater love than this.

O Living God, what have I done that You would send Your only Son

To die for me, to set us free.

My Lord is crucified for me!

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

“Christ Is Risen from the Dead!”

Christ is risen! Sing alleluia!

Celebrate and sing His praise!

All creation, sing alleluia! Celebrate this day of days!

Christ is risen! Sing alleluia!

Gift of God who came to save.

All creation, sing alleluia! Christ is risen from the grave!

Sent by God to set us free, He lives to reign eternally.

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead.

Son of God who was crucified; the Gift of love now glorified! 

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead!

There is no greater love than this; 

no greater sacrifice than this that One lay down His life so willingly, 

this One who lived so perfectly.

There’s no greater love than this.

Christ is risen! Sing alleluia!

All creation, sing alleluia!

Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

 RESPONSE 

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  Apostles’ Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ [God’s] only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.            

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                          

*DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus Fully know:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia!

*HYMN [GTG277]                     Hail Thee Festival Day!

Refrain:

Hail thee, festival day!

Blest day to be hallowed forever,

day when our Lord was raised,

breaking the kingdom of death.

1 All the fair beauty of earth,

from the death of the winter arising!

Ev’ry good gift of the year

now with its master returns: [Refrain]

3 God the Almighty, the Lord,

the ruler of earth and the heavens,

guard us from harm without;

cleanse us from evil within: [Refrain]

*PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. 

Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life.

Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE, BENEDICTION, and PRAYER for MEAL

*RESPONSE [GTG277]    

Hail thee, festival day!

Blest day to be hallowed forever,

day when our Lord was raised,

breaking the kingdom of death

POSTLUDE               Carillon from 24 Pieces en style libre (excerpt) – Louis Vierne

A special thanks to Little Farms United Church of Christ and Chinese Presbyterian Church for joining us this morning for worship, and sharing in worship leadership and choir members.  

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Susan Lassall, Pastor of Little Farms UCC; Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor John Calvin Presbyterian Church; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Asst. Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.  

JOHN CALVIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

CHINESE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

For more information, visit our website at www.cpckenner.org

 or find us on

LITTLE FARMS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

1. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! 

our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

suffered to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2. Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!

who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3. But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!

our salvation have procured. Alleluia!

Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!

where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

4. Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!

Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Alleluia!

WORDS OF WELCOME

MINUTE FOR MISSION: One Great Hour of Sharing                                                          

LITANY for EASTER

ONE: This is the day that the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice, and be glad in it.

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: This is the good news we have received,

in which we stand, and by which we are saved:

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: That Christ died for our sins, and was buried,

and rose again on the third day.

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: He appeared to Peter, and to the twelve,

and to many faithful witnesses.

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: At last he came to us, that we might come to believe

and proclaim this good news to the world. 

MANY: Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

ONE: God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

HYMN [BLUE#104*] [GTG#248] “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!”

1. Christ is risen! Shout hosanna! Celebrate this day of days!

Christ is risen! Hush and wonder; all creation is amazed.

In the desert all surrounding, see a spreading tree has grown.

Healing leaves of grace abounding bring a taste of love unknown. 

2. Christ is risen! Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.

Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.

Drink the wine of resurrection, not a servant, but a friend.

Jesus is our strong companion. Joy and peace shall never end. 

3. Christ is risen! Earth and heaven never more shall be the same. 

Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.

Tell this grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”

God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna every one!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [BLUE#106*] [GTG#240] 

 “Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks”

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord; 

alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.32 or 33]   Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead 

men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:     “Universal Resurrection”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#118*] [GTG#233]   “The Day of Resurrection” 

1. The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad,

the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.

From death to life eternal, from sin’s dominion free,

our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory. 

2. Let hearts be purged of evil that we may see aright

the Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light,

and listening to his accents, may hear, so calm and plain,

his own “All hail!” and hearing, may raise the victor strain. 

3. Now let the heavens be joyful; let earth its song begin;

the round world keep high triumph and all that is therein. 

Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend,

for Christ the Lord has risen, our joy that has no end. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     “Ring the Easter Bells” by Joseph M. Martin

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Allelujah, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus Fully know:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

ONE: Living God,

MANY: hear our prayer

CELEBRATION of the LORD’S SUPPER

ONE: The Lord be with you. 

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them up to the Lord. 

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#120*] [GTG#277]   “Hail Thee Festival Day”

Refrain: Hail thee festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;

day when our Lord was raised, breaking the kingdom of death.

1. All the fair beauty of the earth 

from the death of the winter arising! 

Every good gift of the year now with Master returns: (Refrain)

3. God the Almighty, the Lord, 

the ruler of earth and the heavens,

guard us from harm without; cleanse us from evil within: (Refrain)

PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. 

Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. 

Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. 

Glory to you, Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#277] “Hail Thee Festival Day”

Hail thee festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;

day when our Lord was raised, breaking the kingdom of death.

POSTLUDE:   Festive Trumpet Tune by David German      

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

1.Thou art the King of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,

2. The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went;

our praise and prayers and anthems before thee we present. Refrain

3. To thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise;

to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. Refrain

4. Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayer we bring,

who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King! Refrain

WORDS OF WELCOME   

MINUTE for MISSION: One Great Hour of Sharing                                                     

CALL TO WORSHIP: Zechariah 9:9

ONE: Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!

MANY: Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

ONE: Lo, your king comes to you;

MANY: triumphant and victorious is he,

ONE: humble and riding on a donkey,

MANY: on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you

We praise you, O God, for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ, who entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Let these branches be signs of his victory, and grant that we may follow him in the way of the cross, that, dying and rising with him, we may enter into your kingdom; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.  

HYMN [BLUE#13*] [GTG#106]  “Prepare the Way, O Zion”          

1 Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!

Let every hill and valley a level way appear.

Greet one who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.

O blessed is Christ who came, in God’s most holy name. 

2 He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven above.

His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love.

Lift high your praise resounding 

for grace and joy abounding 

O blessed is Christ who came, in God’s most holy name. 

3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion; 

your Savior’s rule embrace,

and tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.

All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.

O blessed is Christ who came, in God’s most holy name.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE (While Children leave) [BLUE#] [GTG#591]

“Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!”

Halle, halle, hale-lujah! 

Halle, halle, hale-lujah!

Halle, halle, hale-lujah!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah! 

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.21 or 23]   Matthew 21:1-17

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

‘Tell the daughter of Zion,

Look, your king is coming to you,

   humble, and mounted on a donkey,

     and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!

   Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written,

“My house shall be called a house of prayer”;

   but you are making it a den of robbers.’

The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read,

“Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies

   you have prepared praise for yourself”?’

He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:     “Parody Parade”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Theological Declaration of Barmen

6. “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matt. 28:20.) “The word of God is not fettered.” (II Tim. 2:9.) 

The church’s commission, upon which its freedom is founded, consists in delivering the message of the free grace of God to all people in Christ’s stead, and therefore in the ministry of his own Word and work through sermon and Sacrament.

We reject the false doctrine, as though the church in human arrogance could place the Word and work of the Lord in the service of any arbitrarily chosen desires, purposes, and plans. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY  Excerpt from “Sing Hosanna to the King” Lloyd Larson

OFFERTORY RESPONSE [GTG 701] “Lord Prepare Me”

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORDS 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG #218]  “Ah Holy Jesus” 

1. Ah holy Jesus, how hast thou offended, 

that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by thine own rejected, O most afflicted!

2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.

‘Twas I Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee. 

3. Lo, the Good shepherd for the sheep is offered;

the slave hath sinned, and the Son has suffered;

for our atonement, while we nothing heeded, 

God interceded.

4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,

thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation,

thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion, 

for my salvation.

5. Therefore kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee, 

I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,

think on thy pity and thy love unswerving, 

not my deserving.

PARTING PRAYER (Richard of Chichester c. 1197-1253)

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have won for us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#227] “Jesus, Remember Me”

Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom. 

POSTLUDE:   Rondeau from “Sinfonie de Fanfares” by Mouret

 

1. Today we are all called to be Disciples of the Lord,

To help to set the captives free,

Make plow-share out of sword,

To feed the hungry, quench their thirst,

Make love and peace our fast,

To serve the poor and homeless first,

Our ease and comfort last.

4. May we in service to our God

Act out the living word,

And walk the road the saints have trod

Till all have seen and heard.

As stewards of the earth may we

Give thanks in one accord

To God who calls us all to be

Disciples of the Lord.

WORDS OF WELCOME                                                        

CALL TO WORSHIP: Matt. 5:14, 16

ONE: Jesus says: You are the light of the world.

MANY: Let your light shine before others.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Holy God, by your Word and Spirit, come and transform your church to be a living sign of your love for the world — where the poor are filled with good things, the dividing walls are broken down, and the dead are raised to new life;

through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#87*] [GTG#165]  “The Glory of These Forty Days”          

1 The glory of these forty days

we celebrate with songs of praise;

for Christ, by whom all things were made,

himself has fasted and has prayed.

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw

the loving God who gave the law;

and to Elijah, fasting, came

the steeds and chariots of flame.

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

delivered from the lion’s might;

and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

the herald of Messiah’s name.

4 Then grant that we like them be true,

consumed in fast and prayer with you;

our spirits strengthen with your grace,

and give us joy to see your face.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE (While Children leave) 

“Jesus, Be With Us (Matthew 25 Hymn)    

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Merciful God, we confess that we have wandered from your way of truth and life. You call us to share all that we have 

and work together for the common good, but we hoard up treasures for ourselves and deny others their daily bread.

You call us to set the captives free and seek justice for the oppressed, but we live in fear of our neighbors and hide ourselves from our own kin.

You call us to walk in newness of life and to be witnesses to the resurrection, but we dwell in the valley of dry bones and keep silent about your saving love.

Forgive us, God of grace. Set us free from sin, death and fear

so that we may serve you with gladness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

KYRIE [GTG Hymnal #575] 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON  

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.27 or 29]   Matthew 25:31-46

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:     “Kindom Work”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Theological Declaration of Barmen

5. “Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:17.)

Scripture tells us that, in the as yet unredeemed world in which the Church also exists, the State has by divine appointment the task of providing for justice and peace. [It fulfills this task] by means of the threat and exercise of force, according to the measure of human judgment and human ability. The church acknowledges the benefit of this divine appointment in gratitude and reverence before him. It calls to mind the Kingdom of God, God’s commandment and righteousness, and thereby the responsibility both of rulers and of the ruled. It trusts and obeys the power of the Word by which God upholds all things.

We reject the false doctrine, as though the State, over and beyond its special commission, should and could become the single and totalitarian order of human life, thus fulfilling the church’s vocation as well.

We reject the false doctrine, as though the church, over and beyond its special commission, should and could appropriate the characteristics, the tasks, and the dignity of the State, thus itself becoming an organ of the State.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     “Prayer for Peace” David M. Cherwien

OFFERTORY RESPONSE [GTG 701] “Lord Prepare Me”

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORDS 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [GTG #852]  “When the Lord Redeems the Very Least” 

1. When the Lord redeems  the very least, we will rejoice.

When the hungry gather for the feast, we will rejoice.

We will rejoice with gladness. We will rejoice. 

All our days we’ll sing to God in praise. We will rejoice!

2.When the Lord restores  the sick and weak, we will rejoice.

When the earth is given to the meek, we will rejoice.

We will rejoice with gladness. We will rejoice.

All our days we’ll sing to God in praise. We will rejoice!

3. When the Lord revives the world from death, we will rejoice.

When the word of God  fills every breath, we will rejoice.

We will rejoice with gladness. We will rejoice.

All our days we’ll sing to God in praise. We will rejoice!

4. When the Lord returns in victory, we will rejoice.

When we live in glorious liberty, we will rejoice.

We will rejoice with gladness. We will rejoice.

All our days we’ll sing to God in praise. We will rejoice!

PARTING PRAYER (St. Patrick)

Lord, be with us this day- within us to purify us; above us to draw us up; beneath us to sustain us; before us to lead us; behind us to restrain us; around us to protect us. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#771] “What is the World Like”

5. These are the stories that Jesus imparts,

Up, watch with expectation; at midnight comes the cry.

 

2 See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil;

look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil.

The marriage feast is waiting; the gates wide open stand;

arise, O heirs of glory; the Bridegroom is at hand!

WORDS OF WELCOME     

MINUTE FOR THE CHURCH                                                   

CALL TO WORSHIP: Eph. 5:8, 14

ONE: Live as children of the light.

MANY: Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Gracious God,

in order that the children of earth might discern good from evil you sent your Son to be the light of the world. As Christ shines upon us, may we learn what pleases you, and live in all truth and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#87*] [GTG#165]  “The Glory of These Forty Days”          

1 The glory of these forty days

we celebrate with songs of praise;

for Christ, by whom all things were made,

himself has fasted and has prayed.

 

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw

the loving God who gave the law;

and to Elijah, fasting, came

the steeds and chariots of flame.

 

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

delivered from the lion’s might;

and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

the herald of Messiah’s name.

 

4 Then grant that we like them be true,

consumed in fast and prayer with you;

our spirits strengthen with your grace,

and give us joy to see your face.

 

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE {SUNG AS CHILDREN EXIT} [BLUE# 335] [GTG#693]

“Though I May Speak The Gift of Love” 

 1 Though I may speak with bravest fire,

and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain,

as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.       

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

KYRIE [GTG Hymnal #575] 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON  

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.26 or 28]   Matthew 25:1-30

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

 

SERMON: “Use What God Gave You”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Theological Declaration of Barmen

 

4. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matt. 20:25, 26.)

The various offices in the church do not establish a dominion of some over the others; on the contrary, they are for the exercise of the ministry entrusted to and enjoined upon the whole congregation.

We reject the false doctrine, as though the church, apart from this ministry, could and were permitted to give to itself, or allow to be given to it, special leaders vested with ruling powers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     “Offertory” by John Ness Beck
    Sharon Fortin & Kelly Cuppett

OFFERTORY RESPONSE [GTG 701] “Lord Prepare Me”

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

 

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#41*] [GTG #719]  “Come, Labor On” 

1 Come, labor on.

Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain

while all around us waves the golden grain?

And to each servant does the Master say,

“Go work today.”

2 Come, labor on.

Claim the high calling angels cannot share;

to young and old the gospel gladness bear.

Redeem the time; its hours too swiftly fly.

The night draws nigh.

3 Come, labor on.

Cast off all gloomy doubt and faithless fear!

No arm so weak but may do service here.

Though feeble agents, may we all fulfill

God’s righteous will.

4 Come, labor on.

No time for rest, till glows the western sky,

till the long shadows o’er our pathway lie,

and a glad sound comes with the setting sun,

“Well done, well done!”

PARTING PRAYER (St. Patrick)

Lord, be with us this day- within us to purify us; above us to draw us up; beneath us to sustain us; before us to lead us; behind us to restrain us; around us to protect us. Amen. 

 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#771] “What is the World Like”

4. What is the world like when God’s will is done?

Ready for feasting, we watch through the night,

tending our lamps till the new day’s begun.

This is how God readies us for the light.

POSTLUDE:   “Mighty Maker of All” by Rachel Sawyer

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

Church Office 504.888.1375

Playschool Office           504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff

Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader

Sam Garnett – Music Director

Kelly Cuppett – Assistant Music Director

Lauren Oufnac – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click  “Prayer Request.”

1. Let us build a house Where love can dwell 

and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell 

how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, 

rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions: 

All are welcome, all are welcome; 

all are welcome in this place. 

3. Let us build a house where love is found 

in water, wine and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground 

where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,

 is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome; 

all are welcome in this place. 

WORDS OF WELCOME                                                        

CALL TO WORSHIP: Isa. 55:1

ONE: Let all who thirst come to the waters;

MANY: let all who are hungry come and eat

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.

Help us to hear your word and obey it, that we may become instruments of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#87*] [GTG#165]  “The Glory of These Forty Days”          

1 The glory of these forty days

we celebrate with songs of praise;

for Christ, by whom all things were made,

himself has fasted and has prayed.

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw

the loving God who gave the law;

and to Elijah, fasting, came

the steeds and chariots of flame.

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

delivered from the lion’s might;

and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

the herald of Messiah’s name.

4 Then grant that we like them be true,

consumed in fast and prayer with you;

our spirits strengthen with your grace,

and give us joy to see your face.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

CHILDRENS SONG {SUNG AS CHILDREN EXIT} [BLUE#267] [GTG#20]

“All Things Bright and Beautiful”  

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful,

the Lord God made them all.

                       

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

KYRIE [GTG Hymnal #575] 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON  

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.23 or 24]    Matthew 22:1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:     “Many Are Called”     The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Theological Declaration of Barmen

3. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body [is] joined and knit together.” (Eph. 4:15, 16.)

The Christian Church is the congregation of the brethren in which Jesus Christ acts presently as the Lord in Word and Sacrament through the Holy Spirit. As the Church of pardoned sinners, it has to testify in the midst of a sinful world, with its faith as with its obedience, with its message as with its order, that it is solely his property, and that it lives and wants to live solely from his comfort and from his direction in the expectation of his appearance.

 We reject the false doctrine, as though the church were permitted to abandon the form of its message and order to its own pleasure or to changes in prevailing ideological and political convictions.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY    “Think on These Things” Mark Patterson

OFFERTORY RESPONSE [GTG 701] “Lord Prepare Me”

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Nominating Committee Report

Ordination and Installation of Elder

STATEMENT on ORDINATION

We are called into the church of Jesus Christ by baptism, and marked as Christ’s own by the Holy Spirit. 

This is our common calling, to be disciples (followers/learners) of Jesus Christ and servants of our servant Lord. 

Within the community of the church, some are called to particular service as deacons, as ruling elders, and as ministers of Word and Sacrament. 

Ordination is Christ’s gift to the whole church, assuring his ministry continues among us.Through ordination, God provides for acts of care and compassion in the world, for the ordering and governance of the church, and for the preaching of the word and celebration of the sacraments. 

PRESENTATION

Representing the one holy catholic and apostolic church, the session of John Calvin Presbyterian Church now ordains Beverly Kennedy and install her to active service as an Elder in this congregation.

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS

Beverly, in baptism, you were claimed by the love of God, clothed in the grace of Jesus Christ, and anointed with gifts of the Holy Spirit to share Christ’s mission in the world. 

Now you are called by God through the voice of the church for new service and ministry in Jesus’ name. 

In accordance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), show your commitment to this calling by responding to these questions:

Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? I do

Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you? I do

Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God? I do and I will

Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions? I will

Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit? I will

Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? I will

Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church? I do

Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? I will

(For ruling elders) Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? I will

QUESTIONS for the CONGREGATION

Do we, the members of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, accept Beverly Kennedy as a ruling elder chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ? We do.

Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church? We do.

Prayer After Ordination and 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#76*] [GTG #209]  “My Song is Love Unknown” 

1 My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me,

love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be.

O who am I that for my sake

my Lord should take frail flesh, and die?

2 He came from heaven’s throne salvation to bestow;

the world that was his own would not its Savior know.

But O my Friend, my Friend indeed,

who at my need his life did spend!

3 Sometimes we strew his way,and his sweet praises sing,

resounding all the day hosannas to our King.

Then “Crucify!” is all our breath,

and for his death we thirst and cry.

4 Unheeding, we will have our dear Lord made away,

a murderer to save, the prince of life to slay.

Yet steadfast he to suffering goes,

that he his foes from thence might free.

5 Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine:

never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine.

This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise

I all my days could gladly spend.

PARTING PRAYER (St. Patrick)

Lord, be with us this day- within us to purify us; above us to draw us up; beneath us to sustain us; before us to lead us; behind us to restrain us; around us to protect us. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#771] “What is the World Like”

2. What is the world like when God’s will is done?

Witness the wandering child coming home;

watch as the parent breaks into a run.

This is how God longs for us when we roam.

POSTLUDE:    Toccata Belier       

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

Church Office 504.888.1375

Playschool Office           504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff

Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader

Sam Garnett – Music Director

Kelly Cuppett – Assistant Music Director

Lauren Oufnac – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click  “Prayer Request.”