The Power of a Night Vision

6th Sunday of Easter—Season of Eastertide May 22, 2022, 11:00 am 

PRELUDE: My Lord, what a Morning (BURLEIGH), arr. Edwin T. Childs
RESPONSIVE CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS

Pastor:       Here in the busy city
People:      Now let the church be seen
Pastor:       Where lesser gods are worshipped
People:      In money and machine;
Pastor:       Where news is but sensation,
People:      The Good News hardly heard.
Pastor:       Now let the church take action
People:      In living out the word!
Pastor:       Here in the busy city
People:      God walks on every street
Pastor:       In generous or greedy,
People:      The honest or the cheat,
Pastor:       And daily we must offer
People:      The good that goes unpriced
Pastor:       With vigour and with vision
People:      The lifestyle of the Christ.–Shirley Erena Murray, New Zealand

HYMN:   All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name  PH#143
RESPONSIVE CALL TO CONFESSION AND COMMITMENT 

Pastor:     Do not get lost in a sea of despair.  Be hopeful Be optimistic.
People;   Our struggle is not the struggle Of a day a week, a month or a year.
Pastor:     It is the struggle of a lifetime.
People:   Never, ever be afraid  To make some noise
Pastor:     And get in good trouble,    Necessary trouble.
People:     Nothing can stop the power  of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.
Pastor:      Why?
People:     Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the Divine on this planet.”
–John Lewis

AFFIRMING OF HEALING, SAVING POWER OF GOD:  There Is A Balm in Gilead  GTG#792
SCRIPTURE:  Acts 16:9-15 John 14:23-29
SUNG RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE:   All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly  GTG#509
SERMON:    The Power of a Night Vision
HYMN:   Take Me to the Water  GTG#480
WELCOMING
CHORAL ANTHEM:  Anthem of Healing—Erik Meyer  (Jennifer, Josh, Em, and guest tenor Nathan Sullins.)
Matthew 25 Prayer, Lord’s Prayer, Congregational Response: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God   GTG#851
OFFERTORY: His Eye Is On the Sparrow—Charles Gabriel, arr. Hugh Alexander; Emma WitbolsFeugen, mezzo soprano
RESPONSIVE PRAYER OF DEDICATION  

Pastor:       Human progress is neither automatic
People:      Nor inevitable.
Pastor:        Every step toward the goal of justice
People:      Requires sacrifice,
Pastor:         Suffering,
People:       And struggle;
Pastor:       The tireless exertions
People:    And passionate concern
Pastor:         Of dedicated individuals.
People:    Let us become dedicated by what we give,
Pastor:          Who we become,
People:     And the work we are willing to do.  Amen.
                                                —Adapted from writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Closing Hymn:     Somebody’s Knockin‘ At Your Door(all stanzas)    GTG#728
BENEDICTION
SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Somebody’s Knockin at Your Door (repeat stanza 1)    GTG#728
POSTLUDE: Postlude on HOLY MANNA— John Purifoy