Dear friends,
THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.
THIS SUNDAY IS MOTHER’S DAY, a day when we celebrate our mothers. The Presbyterian church designates this Sunday as Christian Family Sunday. The sermon title is “Plain Speech.” The Jewish elders gathered around Jesus in the temple precinct. They put questions to Him. “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” In Jesus we have the word made flesh… he has told them plainly but they have not heard. In our lessons for today, one is most familiar, Psalm 23, the words flow over us with comfort and familiarity. On the other side of Easter we hear verse 4. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;” There is a point as Jesus hung on the cross where he could not feel the Father’s presence because a Holy God could not look on his son on the cross bearing the sin of the world. Jesus did not fear evil, on the cross he destroyed its power for time and for eternity. In Revelation, John treats us to another scene of worship in heaven where a multitude that no one can count is before the throne of God and worship with intensity… at the end of this passage John points to the Lamb, in the midst of the throne, that will be their shepherd who will lead them to living waters. Challenged to speak plainly, Jesus identifies his sheep as those who hear him and follow him, no tricks just listening to the plain speech that he offers as he teaches about his Father and then listening to where it will take us in our faith.
Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Hymn 321: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (vs 2&4 en français)
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace
The Lord’s Prayer
Children’s Time
Hymn 356: “You, Lord are both lamb and shepherd”
Responsive Reading: Psalm 23
Gloria Patri
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
Sermon: “Plain Speech!”
Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
Hymn 691: “My shepherd is the king of love”
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 485: “Saviour, like a shepherd lead us” (vs 2 en frnçais)
Benediction
Go now in peace
Postlude