ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, May 16; Ascension of the Lord
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 47)
Pastor: Clap your hands, all you people! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
People: For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome! A great king over the earth!
Pastor: God has gone up with a shout; the Lord has gone up with the sound of a trumpet.
People: Let us sing praises to God our King!
Pastor: For God is King of all the earth! Sing praises with a psalm!
People: God is on his holy throne and is king over all nations!
Pastor: The princes of all peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham;
All: All the earth belongs to God; let us exalt him!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy God and Creator of all things, we look to your rising. You are our Lord and we are your people. Look on us with favor. And bless our gathering this morning, as we come together in worship of you. We ask this blessing in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* HYMN OF PRAISE “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” (verses 1, 2, & 4)
A hymn of glory let us sing! New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod, ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
The holy apostolic band upon the Mount of Olives stand,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And with his faithful followers see their Lord ascend in majesty.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
O risen Christ, ascended Lord, all praise to you let earth accord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
You are, while endless ages run, with Father and with Spirit one.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
PRAYER FOR GRACE
All: Gracious God, as we gather this morning to celebrate your ascension, we ask that you remember us. You have given us mercy we have not earned and love we cannot repay. We are broken and imperfect, yet you give us perfect love anyway. Remember us into your holy kingdom, we pray, in the name of our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Hebrews 10:16-18)
All: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,” says the Lord. “I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds. Their sins and their lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen, Amen.
CALL TO FAITHFUL LIVING (Ephesians 4:31-32)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”
Alleluia, sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne:
Alleluia! His the triumph, his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation, has redeemed us by his blood.
Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us; faith believes nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o'er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore.”?
Alleluia! Heavenly High Priest, here on earth our help, our stay;
Alleluia! Hear the sinful cry to you from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth's Redeemer, hear our plea,
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Luke 24:44-53
THE MORNING MESSAGE – “Clothed with Power“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God the Father, almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy catholic church,
The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “…sins / …those who sin against us…”)
*CLOSING HYMN “Christ, Whose Purpose Is to Kindle”
Christ, whose purpose is to kindle: now ignite us with your fire;
While the earth awaits thy burning, with thy passion us inspire.
Overcome our sinful calmness, rouse us with redemptive shame;
Baptize with thy fiery Spirit, crown our lives with tongues of flame.
Thou, who still a sword delivers rather than a placid peace:
With thy sharpened Word disturb us, from complacency release!
Save us now from satisfaction when we privately are free,
Yet are undisturbed in spirit by our neighbor's misery.
Thou, who in thy holy Gospel wills that we should truly live:
Make us sense our share of failure, our tranquility forgive.
Teach us courage as we struggle in all liberating strife;
Lift the smallness of our vision by thine own abundant life.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.
THE FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, May 16; Ascension of the Lord
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 47)
Pastor: Clap your hands, all you people! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
People: For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome! A great king over the earth!
Pastor: God has gone up with a shout; the Lord has gone up with the sound of a trumpet.
People: Let us sing praises to God our King!
Pastor: For God is King of all the earth! Sing praises with a psalm!
People: God is on his holy throne and is king over all nations!
Pastor: The princes of all peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham;
All: All the earth belongs to God; let us exalt him!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy God and Creator of all things, we look to your rising. You are our Lord and we are your people. Look on us with favor. And bless our gathering this morning, as we come together in worship of you. We ask this blessing in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* HYMN OF PRAISE “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” (verses 1, 2, & 4)
A hymn of glory let us sing! New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod, ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
The holy apostolic band upon the Mount of Olives stand,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And with his faithful followers see their Lord ascend in majesty.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
O risen Christ, ascended Lord, all praise to you let earth accord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
You are, while endless ages run, with Father and with Spirit one.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
PRAYER FOR GRACE
All: Gracious God, as we gather this morning to celebrate your ascension, we ask that you remember us. You have given us mercy we have not earned and love we cannot repay. We are broken and imperfect, yet you give us perfect love anyway. Remember us into your holy kingdom, we pray, in the name of our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Hebrews 10:16-18)
All: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,” says the Lord. “I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds. Their sins and their lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen, Amen.
CALL TO FAITHFUL LIVING (Ephesians 4:31-32)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”
Alleluia, sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne:
Alleluia! His the triumph, his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation, has redeemed us by his blood.
Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us; faith believes nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o'er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore.”?
Alleluia! Heavenly High Priest, here on earth our help, our stay;
Alleluia! Hear the sinful cry to you from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth's Redeemer, hear our plea,
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Luke 24:44-53
THE MORNING MESSAGE – “Clothed with Power“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God the Father, almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy catholic church,
The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “…sins / …those who sin against us…”)
*CLOSING HYMN “Christ, Whose Purpose Is to Kindle”
Christ, whose purpose is to kindle: now ignite us with your fire;
While the earth awaits thy burning, with thy passion us inspire.
Overcome our sinful calmness, rouse us with redemptive shame;
Baptize with thy fiery Spirit, crown our lives with tongues of flame.
Thou, who still a sword delivers rather than a placid peace:
With thy sharpened Word disturb us, from complacency release!
Save us now from satisfaction when we privately are free,
Yet are undisturbed in spirit by our neighbor's misery.
Thou, who in thy holy Gospel wills that we should truly live:
Make us sense our share of failure, our tranquility forgive.
Teach us courage as we struggle in all liberating strife;
Lift the smallness of our vision by thine own abundant life.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.
