NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

La Feria, Texas

April 21, 2024

4^th Sunday of Easter

GATHERING

Call To Worship (Linda)

Leader:     

Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life

People:   Do not let us stray from you, the Way,

Leader:     Nor to distrust you, the Truth,

People:   Nor to rest in anything other than you, the Life.

Opening Hymn – “Hallelujah! What A Savior”

Opening Prayer (Jeri)

Let us pray.

Wonderful God, you are beyond our understanding, eternal and     glorious, full of love and compassion for all of creation.

Your love brings light to the world and your compassion reassures us when we are afraid.

Gathered into your Church by Christ,

The Holy Spirit draws us closer to you and closer to one another.

Amen.

Call to Confession (Norma)

In the Psalms we are reminded that God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and filled with a love that never gives up on us.

God does not deal with us according to our sins,

Instead, God’s love is so great that God removes our sins from us

As far as the east is from the west.

Trusting in the grace of God, let’s read this prayer together.

Prayer of Confession (Norma)

Leader: We ask your forgiveness Lord.

                                                                             People:

For grievance and injustice              Forgive us, Lord.

          For aloofness and indifference        Forgive us, Lord.

          For weakness and transgression    Forgive us, Lord.

          For resistance and rebellion            Forgive us, Lord.

          In your eternal mercy                         Forgive us, Lord.

          In your sustaining grace                    Forgive us, Lord.

Silent Confession 

   This is a brief silence for self-examination and private prayer.

(Water pours to break the silence)

Hymn of Forgiveness              “Loving and Forgiving”

The Peace (Linda)

Leader: Having received the peace that only God can give, let’s forgive one another so we can be the Body of Christ together in the world.

“May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you

– And also with you.”

WORD

Prayer for Illumination (Bob)  

Let us pray.

Bless us, O God, with a reverent sense of your presence, that we may be at peace, and worship you with all our mind and spirit.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Scripture (Bob)                

Psalter Reading – Psalm 23

The Word of the Lord.     Thanks be to God.

Message: “Love Has Only One NAME”    (Linda)

          Readings: 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18

God is Good, All the Time!            

Todo el Tiempo, Dios es Bueno!

Hymn       “No Greater Love”

Affirmation of Faith (Angelica leads the congregation)

We believe in God who loves us and wants us to love each other.

This is our God.

We believe in Jesus who cared about children and held them in his arms.

He wanted a world where everyone could live together in peace.

This is Jesus Christ.

We believe in the Holy Spirit who keeps working with us until everything is good and true.

This is the Holy Spirit.

We can be the Church which reminds people of God because we love each other.

This we believe.

Amen.

Prayers of the People (Bob, with Charley taking notes)

Prayers of Praise: Lord in your Love and Grace, Hear our Praise!

Prayers of Intercession: Lord in your Mercy, Hear our Prayer!

OFFERING

Invitation to Give (Julia)

We become who we are called to be not through getting, acquiring, and possessing but in our giving.   So, let’s worship God now by freely sharing the gifts that God has given to us.

Special Mission Offering for April: (Charley)

First Baptist Food Pantry

Giving to New Hope (Charley)

Doxology (Charley)

Let’s sing a song of praise for all that God has given us!

Let’s sing the Doxology together.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Dedication of the Offering (David)

Let us pray.

Blessed are you, God of all creation;

through your goodness we have these gifts to share.

Accept and use our offerings for your glory

and for the service of your kingdom.                Amen.

SENDING

Invitation to Join (Norma) if guests are present

Blessing & Charge (Linda)

Closing Hymn        “Jesus Loves Me”

GTG #188

 Announcements (Erik) 

Thank you to our dedicated Worship Contributors: Erik Breden, Norma Cordero, Linda Davis, Natalie Rae Davis, David and Jeri DeWeese, Bob Dymond, Terri Ericson, Susan Kerens, Charley Kidder, Julia Todd Stone, Angelica and Helenavi Sumilong

Affirmation of Faith from: “For All Who Minister”, A Worship Manual for the Church of the Brethren, p. 98. Written by children and used in worship during the World Council of churches’ Seventh Assembly, Canberra, Australia, 1991.