Big Spring Presbyterian Church
25 S. Corporation Street
Newville, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Melton, Pastor
Rev. William C. Beck, Pastor Emeritus
Avis Allen, Organist
Phone: 717-776-5820
Website: bspresby.com
E-mail: churchoffice@bspresby.com
“The mission of the Big Spring
Presbyterian Church is to know Christ
and to make Him Known.”
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ORDER OF WORSHIP
May 19, 2024
PENTECOST SUNDAY
LORD'S SUPPER
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* indicates stand, if able; Bold indicates ALL read; use blue hymnal unless otherwise indicated
PREPARATION (read silently)
Surveys generally show that religious people are happier or perhaps that happy people are more religious. I certainly notice the same thing. Religious people have a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose, important components to happiness, and they have a set of rules that enables them to figure out how to do the right thing. Perhaps even more important, they are encouraged to see themselves as redeemable through some effort of their own. Perhaps religion is therapeutic because it offers acceptance of human essence and thus erases shame, while it offers a code of behavior that encourages guilt when people don’t do the right thing. - Frank Pittman
THE CHURCH GATHERS TO CELEBRATE
INTROIT Down by the Riverside (arr. Owen)
~ GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ~
PRELUDE Our Father in Heaven (Shumann, 1539; setting, Johnson)
* CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
Wonderful God, bless our worship.
May those of us who have sown in tears,
reap with shouts of joy.
May those who come in weeping,
leave with sighs of comfort.
Enrich our harvest, gracious God.
Let us share in rejoicing.
* HYMN (insert) -- "Bringing in the Sheaves"
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart and mind and strength; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In Your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be so we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways. We pray, trusting Your holy name. Amen.
MORNING PRAYER 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.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Brothers and sisters, to those who ask is love given, to those who seek is faith renewed, to those who knock a way to hope will be found.
May God’s assurance of grace bless us today.
ALL: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* GLORIA PATRI
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.
MORNING PRAYER AND 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.
* HYMN #356 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM and PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS (insert)
THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON -- Matthew 14:22-33 (p. 1520, pew Bible)
(This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!)
SERMON “Extra Ecclesium Nulla Salus" Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Melton
* HYMN OF PREPARATION #322 -- “Spirit of the Living God”
~ SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION ~
The Invitation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Words of Institution
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Serving (Hold the Bread & Cup until all are served.)
The Closing Prayer
Holy God, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us. Give us the trust to serve You. Give us the awareness to know that within our hungers for food, intimacy and beauty, there is a deeper need for You. Draw us together so we may support one another in the walk of faith. Draw us to Christ, that we may be healed and made new. Deepen our sense of gratitude for life so we may turn to You, give thanks, and be healed. We pray in Christ's name. Amen.
THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO GOD'S WORD
OFFERING & Pentecost Special Offering
Offertory Somebody Bigger than You and I (Lange)
* 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.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE CHURCH GOES OUT TO LOVE & SERVE
* HYMN #525 -- "Here I Am, Lord"
* CHARGE & BENEDICTION
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #540 (vs. 1) - "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
“God be with you till we meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.”
* POSTLUDE Here I Am, Lord (setting, Carter)
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Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. If you do not have a church home, please talk with the pastor,
as we would receive you with open arms.
Today, there is a Welcome Reception for our new members.
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NEXT SUNDAY, May 26, 2024
~ 9:15 AM: Sunday school
~ 10:30 AM: Worship; Rev. Ivo Meilands preaching
