Fifth Sunday of Easter Worship, May 10, 2020

Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 10, 2020

Prelude / Thayer

​Leader: We continue with our Easter Season because Easter isn’t just one day. We have an abundance of days to celebrate new life. The early church shared the abundance they had in this way:

“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.”  (Acts 2: 46-47a)

We create a “temple” of worship in our hearts that connects us across boundaries, distance and time. But as we share this worship, we will stay connected. At the “heart of the matter,” we are connected through the Spirit that makes us one in love.


Opening Act of Centering Our Hearts as One

We are going to center our hearts as one to begin.
Let’s take a deep breath together [everyone breathes together].


I invite you to place your hand on your heart and
let’s lightly tap together in a slow heartbeat rhythm


Holy Living God,
Heartbeat of Creation,
help us to take this time to center on you,
for you made us,
you gave us life,
and you continue to be with us
every moment…
[wait a couple of beats]
every breath…
[wait a couple of beats]
every step.
[the heartbeat tapping fades away]


Hear this assurance from God:


Be still, O heart, you’re not alone,
your beat is shared with me.
Come now, and calm, and center here,
you’re mine, secure and free.


Let’s take another deep breath, making sure our shoulders and any tension we feel in our bodies is letting go with the breath. [Pause to do so]
Let’s take another one. [Pause to do so]


Let us pick up our heart stone, sometimes called a “worry stone,”
and let our touch on its surface remind us that God’s touch is
within us, between us, and around us.
As close and real as this object is in our hands right now,
is how close Love is to us always.
Let us imagine letting go of our worries for now into God’s heart of love.
We offer a prayer song of letting go:


Into your care, we offer now,
our worries, fears and strife.
We turn to you and know you’re near–
Your light, our love and life.


Let’s light our candles now and set our heart worry stones next to it.


Opening Hymn    UMH #618    Let Us Break Bread Together

​Holy Commuion

​Anthem:  Joyful, Joyful We adore thee

​Message / Pastor Gil

Closing Hymn:     UMH #328              Surely the Presence of the Lord

Benediction 

As we close this time together, remember:
God is always with you. No matter what you face,
no matter what trials or hardships come your way,
God is right beside you, ready to hold you, to be a rock for you,
guiding and directing your path.
So, acknowledge your fear and your worry
and know it is as true and holy as any feeling,
including joy and hope and love.
Take heart! This is the heart of the matter.
Amen.

Announcement

Again a sincere Thank you to all who are sending in their pledges.  Please continue to do so. ​