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Sunday, April 28, 2013 Fifth  Sunday of Easter Ten o'clock
Celebration of the Earth
Reaching Out to Grow God’s Community

Welcome to Worship! We would like to extend a warm welcome to all who are worshiping with us today, especially those who are new to First Church or who have returned after an absence.  Your presence is a blessing to us!  First Church is committed to being a safe place for all people to worship regardless of race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation.

(Prior to the Prelude, Pastor Pat will read a poem by William Wordsworth).

Prelude “Holy, Holy, Holy” Instrumental

Time for Centering and Silence
We begin our worship with a brief period of silence.  During this time we invite you to be open to the signs of God’s Presence here -- take a deep breath, lay aside the distractions of the morning, and make a space for the Holy Spirit to enter in.

*Call to Worship  – From Psalm 148
Leader:  Praise God! Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights!
All:  Praise God, all you angels of God; praise God all you host of heaven!
Leader:  Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars!
All:  Praise God, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Leader: Let them praise the name of God, for God commanded and they were created.
All:   God established them forever and ever; God fixed their bounds,
  which cannot be passed.
Leader:  Praise God from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
All:  fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling God's command!
Leader:  Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
All:  Beast of the forest and all cattle, crawling things and flying birds!
Leader:  Rulers of the earth and all peoples, nobles and all leaders of the earth!
All:   Young men and women alike, old and young together!
  Let them praise the name of the Sovereign, whose name alone is exalted; whose glory is above earth and heaven.
 
*Opening Hymn This Is My Father’s World Chalice (blue) #59

Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God of all creation, you have promised a new heaven and a new earth; embracing this hope, we look to you for newness of life today.
We have tasted that the Lord is good,
and we ask for courage to be your disciples:
Help us to abide in you as you abide in Christ.
Help us to grow in our love for one another
that we may be known by our love.
Make us bearers of good fruit that glorifies your name.
All things we ask in the name of our risen Lord. Amen
  
A Reading from the New Testament Revelation 21:1-6 (NT pg 244)
Janet Albanesi, reader

*Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus Chalice (blue) #97
 
A Reading from the Gospel John 13:31-35 (NT pg 102)

Sermon “God’s Creation, God’s Magic” Reverend Pat Kriss

Silent Meditation

Prayer for the People and The Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Our Tithes and Offerings
Invitation to Sharing
Offertory
Anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth” Instrumental
*The Doxology 
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow
  Praise God all creatures here below
  Praise God for all that love has done
  Creator, Christ and Spirit, One. Amen
*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn We Are Walking insert
Announcements

Benediction

Postlude “For the Beauty of the Earth” Instrumental

Sunday, April 28, 2013  Fifth Sunday of Easter
10:00 am   Morning Worship - Jazz Sunday
11:00 am   Coffee Hour & Fellowship
11:30 am   Iglesia Hispana Unida de Cristo
4:00 pm   Vespers at Glen Crest
Tuesday 4:30 pm Children’s Community Chorus
Thursday evening  Chocolate Festival Set-Up
Friday  9:30-2pm Deer Hill Thrift Shop
    Chocolate Festival Set-Up
Saturday 9:30-3pm Deer Hill Thrift Shop
  11:00-3:00 Mother’s Day Chocolate Festival
Sunday, May 5, 2013  Sixth Sunday of Easter
10:00 am   Morning Worship - Anniversary Sunday - Communion
    Birthday Sunday
11:00 am   Coffee Hour & Fellowship - Birthday Cake
11:30 am   Iglesia Hispana Unida de Cristo
2:00 pm   Children’s Community Chorus Concert