Worship I 5/3/20
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 3, 2020 | 4th Sunday of Easter
Today we hear a story from the earliest church, in the book of Acts, where the new followers of Jesus we’re figuring out how best to be in community. How can they share their resources with one another and those in need; believe the works of God they see around them; and trust God to add to their numbers in their faithfulness? These are important questions for us to ask today, too. We’ll explore how the earliest church experience can shape our witness in 2020.
Call to Worship
Spirit of Hope, Savior of Love, God of Resurrection,
We come today with hearts open to worship.
We come from our living rooms and porches, on computers and phones.
We are apart, but we are together,
Offering our love, our commitment, and our prayers, in service to one another and this world.
Let us worship with joy in the name of the Lord who makes all things new!
Opening Song - #307, Christ is Risen
Please join us in singing the Opening Hymn: #307 Christ is Risen
Verse 1
Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days.
Christ is risen! Hush in 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 3
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: "Christ is risen! Get you gone!"
God the First and Last is with us.
Sing Hosanna everyone!
Children's Moment
Bake and break bread at home this week!
Here’s a simple no-knead bread recipe:
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/no-knead-crusty-white-bread-recipe
If you don’t have yeast, try making and sharing popovers: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/popovers-recipe
Or tortillas: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/simple-tortillas-recipe
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: Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
This is the Word of God, for us, the people of God: Thanks be to God!
Reflection & Love Feast
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.
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 -