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Fourth Sunday of Easter 
04/26/2026 - 10:30 am     

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTE FOR MISSION        “Root n Renew”                     Pastor Barbara

CENTERING MUSIC             “Peace Piece”                          Bill Evans

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP  

One: Now is the time to awaken to the presence of God the Eternal Spirit.

People: Now is the time to come alive with our songs of praise.

One: Today we open ourselves to the power of the Spirit in our lives.

People: Today we extend our hands in caring toward humanity.

All: We do all this because we have responded to the ministry and message of Christ, whose people we are.  Amen.

*HYMN   #375    Shall we Gather at the River

Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain:
Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day.

 Ere we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown.

Soon we’ll reach the shining river; soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace.

PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

Wise and powerful God, you have given us your light and truth to guide us through confusion.  Sometimes we have a hard time hearing your voice and sometimes we lose our way.  You offer to share our burdens and give us your strength, yet sometimes we do not know how to rely on that strength or to trust in your ability to hold us.  Sometimes we become exhausted by our own efforts.  Bring us back into your presence, O God; overcome our separation from one another and from you.  By your Word and Spirit, fill us with the gifts that equip us to meet life’s demands, that we may be your people in the world and live in the confidence and joy of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.  Amen.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL       #155  Raise a Song of Gladness

Raise a song of Gladness, peoples of the earth.
Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

One:  God understands our limitations and loves us through and with them all.  When we ask for help, God is there to give it.  When we offer help, God is there to expand it.  Trust that you are loved and held beyond your own imagining.

All: Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader:      The peace of Christ be with you.
People:     And with you also.
Leader:      Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People:     The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)

ANTHEM                                              “Alleluja”                                    by W.A. Mozart

BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY

 This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

   Today’s Godly Play Story                 “Knowing Jesus in a New Way”
                                                        Kathleen Krentz & Cyndi Sneeringer

Leader:                 And as we continue our worship…
Congregation:    May God be with you there.
Children:             May God be with you here.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader:      God in your Grace,
People:      Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you.  Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS
                        Genesis 45:1-28   and    Matthew 15:10-28

RESPONSE

Reader:      The Word of the Lord
People:      Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor:       May the words of my mouth
People:      And the meditations of our hearts
All:            Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
                  Our rock and our redeemer.  Amen.

SERMON                                                                 Offense                                                   Pastor Barbara Barkley

MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION

*HYMN OF REFLECTION  #435   There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.

For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word,
and our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY                 “Adagio”                                                                   Beethoven

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God whose breath fills all the earth
Whose love reveals our sacred worth
Whose Spirit forms one family
Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

We thank you for this day and every day that we draw breath.  Help us to live give from gratitude and to find joy in the giving.  Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN        #721   Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Lord, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
You only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain: O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me, and while smiling have spoken my
name; now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me. By your side I will seek other seas.

You know so well my possessions; my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
You will find there my nets and labor.

You need my hands, full of caring, through my labors to give others rest
and constant love that keeps on loving.

You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
My loving friend, as thus you call me:

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*Congregational Response:  Go with God

Go with God, go with God.
As you leave this place, go with God.
God will direct your way, God will light every day.
As you leave this place, go with God.

*POSTLUDE                          “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”              Traditional Spiritual