Worship I 5/10/20
Even though we aren’t gathering in person today, we invite you to join your SSUMC community by reading through this worship guide. Together, we’ll say the same prayers, read the same scripture, and reflect on where God is calling us in this Easter season. We worship a God who always brings life out of death. May we pray and worship without ceasing. This is the day the Lord has made: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
The Worship of God
Sandy Springs UMC
May 10, 2020 | 5th Sunday of Easter
Our life flourishes because of the promise of Jesus: Do not be troubled. No matter what we face, Jesus assures us that life and life abundant are ours because of the power of resurrection. This is our hope and our solid foundation.
Call to Worship
You are never left outside God’s house.
There is always room for us.
Jesus himself has prepared a place for each of us.
When our time comes, we will be welcomed and made whole in Christ.
Make your hearts ready to receive the goodness of the Lord.
We are ready to step into service for God. AMEN.
Opening Song -
Children's Moment
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
And now let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us, saying:
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.
If you have a prayer request, submit it HERE. Prayers will be e-mailed on Fridays, except those marked confidential.
Song of Reflection
Scripture: John 14:1-14
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
This is the Word of God, for us, the people of God: Thanks be to God!
Reflection
Spiritual Practice: The Ignatian Examen
The Ignatian Examen is a 500 year-old prayer developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola that helps us ground ourselves in God’s presence daily. In worship on May 10th, Pastor Kate encouraged us to pray the examen each day this week.
Recommended Resource: Reimagining the Examen
http://reimaginingexamen.ignatianspirituality.com/
Find a book, more information, and link to download the “Reimagining the Examen App”. Download the app and have a variety of prayers at your fingertips.
Traditional Examen
Adapted from “Reimagining the Examen” App
1: I get into a comfortable position. I let my muscles relax and mind quiet down. I take a deep breath and ask God to make his presence known around and in me. I feel this presence and soak it in.
2: I ask God to reveal all the gifts and graces God has given me today, from the big ones (life, safety, love) to the small ones (a good night’s sleep, a phone call from a friend, a compliment). I thank God for each of these gifts.
3: I ask God to fill me with his merciful love. I ask God to be the leader of this prayer time, rather than brooding or obsessing over myself or the day.
4: Going hour by hour, I review my day. In my imagination, I relive each significant moment of my day. I linger in the important moments and pass quickly over the less relevant ones.
5: I continue thanking God for gifts I find in my day. I pause at any of the difficult moments of my day. I pay attention to any missed opportunities, when I could have acted in a certain way but didn’t. When I find moments in which I was not the person I was called to be, I ask God’s forgiveness. I try to sense his healing mercy wash over me.
Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at 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 Spirit,
the holy catholic** church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Testimony
Offering
As you listen to the offertory song, we invite you to give towards the ministries of the church. Thank you for your generosity and all you do to make sure SSUMC continues to change lives.
Online: Give through our secure site HERE, either a one-time or recurring donation.
Text to Give: Text ssumcgive to 73256
Make a check out to the church and mail it to: Sandy Springs UMC 86 Mt. Vernon HWY NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Set-up Recurring Giving through your Bank to mail checks directly to the church
Offertory Song
Benediction
Benediction Response -