May 29, 2022- Ascension Day and the Sunlight Sunday of Pride (Lectionary Year C)

First Congregational United Church of Christ May 29, 2022 Ascension Day and the Sunlight Sunday of Pride (Lectionary Year C) Pastor: Seth Stout Organist: Keith Becker Lay Leader: Tony Eufinger Prelude- The light of Christ enters the sanctuary. Welcome Reminders of Ways to Be Involved in the Life of the congregation Updates on what our Ministry Teams are doing Call to Worship Shout to the rooftops! Our Lord, Jesus Christ, is seated at God’s right hand! (The same Christ who was given by God to help us learn how to live together and love each other is now seated with God!) We need not stand staring into the sky because Christ’s spirit is with us, in us, and through us! (We rejoice with tears in our eyes.) Come, let us sing! We will praise God with our whole lives and spirits! (We praise our Beloved with song!) Opening Hymn: “All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name” #304 The New Century Hymnal Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer (we take time each week to name our prayers before lifting those prayers together) Pastor: …hear us now as we pray in Christ’s spirit, saying… Our Beloved who art in heaven, holy be thy name. thy reign come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the reign, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen Scripture Acts 1:6-11 (New Revised Standard Version) So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ Pastor: God is still speaking… People: Thanks be to God. Meditation: “Moving On” Celebration and Stewardship Singing Our Praise: “Be Now My Vision” #451 The New Century Hymnal Celebrating Graduates Pastor: O Ascended Christ, we give you thanks this day for our graduates: Carter Behm, Patrick Starret, Rachel Studemund, Adam Wall, and Koki Yajima. Congregation: Fill them till they feel your strength. Be present with them so they may know courage. Reveal to them the next steps you are Calling them to take. Graduates: We go forward carrying the kindness and compassion we have been given. Congregation: We pray that kindness and compassion live in your every step. Go boldly in faith towards sustenance for your body and your soul. Our love goes with you to all places. Graduates: Our hearts are bound in human love. Blessing The Graduates The Giving of Gifts Pastor: We give thanks for ____, and we all shout.. Congregation: Hallelujah! Giving Thanks for Digital Worshipers Hymn of Praise: “Jesus Shall Reign” #300 The New Century Hymnal Offertory Response Prayer of Dedication We give thanks to you, O God, for the promise of your abiding presence among us, and for your abundant life within and around us. As we offer our gifts to you, may they be made useful in this world, that your saving presence may be known among all people. Amen, amen, and amen. Hymn of Preparation: “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” #77 The New Century Hymnal Naming Our Charge- Rev. Stout Choral Benediction: “Peace I Leave with You, My Friends” #249 The New Century Hymnal Postlude THE LIGHT OF CHRIST LEADS US INTO THE WORLD “Our Worship has ended -- Now our Service begins.” Keep praying for safety as we gather.