CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church Service, May 2, 2021
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Questions for Reflection: Does love set boundaries – not in terms of who is ‘lovable’ but in terms of acceptable behavior? What is the relationship between judgement and grace?
Prelude “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” James T Manley, 1974
Gathering Words
Let praise to God resound in the heavens!
Let praise to God fill the earth!
Let all God’s angels offer praise and rejoicing!
Let all God’s creatures sing praise and joy!
Open your hearts and spirits today.
Let us praise the Lord today and always! AMEN.
Morning Prayer
Almighty God, in Christ you have shown us the way, revealed to us your truth, and offered everlasting life. Keep our eyes upon him, that we may see your path more clearly, know your truth more fully, and receive your life more abundantly; through Jesus Christ who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit in eternal glory. Amen
Hymn “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
When morning gilds the skies, My heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, To Jesus I repair; May Jesus Christ be praised!
Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth’s wide circle round In joyful notes resound: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades by earthly bliss? My comfort still is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine, My song of love divine: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song Through all the ages long: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Prayer of Confession
Because you dwell in our hearts, Eternal God, you know how the anger, the pain, the bitterness of our lives try to crowd you out. The noise of the world deafens us to that Word which can heal us. We want our children to be good, kind, and gentle to others, and then they hear us call others’ names, and speak of them with bitter words. Our desire for revenge towards those who have hurt us shows that your peace, indeed, is not within us.
You promise a new heaven and a new earth, so create new spirits and lives within us, O God. Shattered by our sin, your heart can still heal our brokenness. Your Spirit, living deep within our souls, can teach us faithful ways. Your Word, Jesus Christ our Lord, whispers to us of your mercy, your hope, your love.
Silent Prayer…
Assurance of Pardon
The Word which can transform is not some idle gossip, but good news for us. It fills us with forgiveness, equips us for service, and sends us forth to love others as God loves us.
In our midst, the Holy Spirit teaches us all we need to know, gives us what we need in order to be faithful, and fills us with peace. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Musical Response We Are Forgiven sung by Keisha Prime
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. We are forgiven, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Epistle of First John 3: 16—18
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us -- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
Prayer for Illumination
Come, Holy Spirit, that through your word we may be guided into the love of God for all the world. Amen.
A Reading from the Epistle of 1 John 4:7-12 NRS
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us
A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:1-8 NRS
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Sermon “Perhaps Love” The Rev. Russell Lehman
Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Charles Wesley, 1747
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit, Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find that promised rest.
Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never, Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory, 'Til in heaven we take our place,
'Til we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical Version)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
Statement about Offering our Gifts
Offering what we have for the sake of others is a discipline of pruning – letting go of our possessions, our time and even ourselves—to extend the gospel witness into the world. Be generous in your ministry of giving. You need not fear; you abide in the vine.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music Sung by Keisha Prime
Prayer of Dedication
The Celebration of Holy Communion
The celebration will begin in the sanctuary and move outdoors for
the distribution and taking of the elements. Our worship service
will conclude outdoors.
The Invitation
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy are those who find refuge in God!
The Words of Institution
On the night of his arrest, our Lord took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, and said, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Every time you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
At your word the earth was made and spun on its course among the planets. You formed us in your image to love and serve you, and you spoke of love and justice through the prophets. When your people went astray you sent Jesus, your Son, to lead us back into covenant relationship with you. He died that we might live, and is risen to raise us to new life.
Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and the fruit of the vine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit make us one with Christ that we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.
(Prayers of Intercession)
Nourished at this table, O God, may be know Christ’s redemptive love and live a new life in him. Give us who are fed at his hand grace to share our bread with the hungry and with the hungry of heart. Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen
Recessional Music
Partaking the Elements
Prayer after Communion
Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life. Send us out to answer the summons of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new life, and to follow him with joy and gladness. Set our feet in his holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life and all we do may show forth his love. AMEN
Charge and Blessing
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