News & Updates — Wayne Community Church

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Worship with Wayne Community Church – Live!

April 28, 2024- 5th Sunday of Easter

(Today’s music is livestreamed by permission through ONE LICENSE #732935-A, CCLI license #22104930 and #22104923, or via public domain. Message by Rev. Marcos Juliao. Scripture passages from NIV – New International Version of the Holy Bible.) *Please stand as you are comfortable.

We Gather…

Prelude: Meditation (Caleb Simper, 1856-1942. Arr. Michael Ryan. © 2014 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of the Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Livestreamed under ONE LICENSE #732935-A.)

Welcome

Welcoming the Light of Christ: Spirit of the Living God UMH 393

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Call to Worship: (from Psalm 22)

One - You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

All - From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you, I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise them, may their hearts live forever!

One - All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

All - Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! All glory be to the Lord!

*Hymn of Praise: All Things Bright and Beautiful UMH 147

(Words: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848. Music: 17th cent. English melody; arr. By Martin Shaw, 1915. Both held in the public domain.)

Refrain

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,

God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings.

Refrain

The purple-headed mountains, the river running by,

the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one.

Refrain

God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell

how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

Refrain

…To Pray,

Opening Prayer

Merciful One, you know when we are afraid to love; you know when we are too cowardly to show mercy. Remind us again that perfect love casts out such fears. Surround us and strengthen us with your perfect love, even in the face of our imperfections. Imbue us with a love so strong, with such growth toward perfection, that we may cast aside our pride and embrace the power of Your love. Christ in your name. Amen.

Prayers of the Community

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

…To Hear the Word,

*Hymn of Preparation: Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song UMH 544

Like the murmur of the dove’s song, like the challenge of her flight,

like the vigor of the wind’s rush, like the new flame’s eager might:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

To the members of Christ’s body, to the branches of the Vine,

to the church in faith assembled, to her midst as gift and sign:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

With the healing of division, with the ceaseless voice of prayer,

with the power to love and witness, with the peace beyond compare:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Scripture Readings: John 15: 1-8

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Our Holy Scripture. A Holy Gift.

Thanks be to God.

Message: We Bear Fruit

…To Respond to the Word,

Invitation to the Offering

Anthem: At the Riverside

Refrain

Wade in the water, water in the water children,

Wade in the water, God’s a gonna trouble the water.

See that host all dressed in white? God’s a gonna trouble the water.

The leader looks like the Israelite, God’s a gonna trouble the water.

Refrain

Go down to the riverside, where the Savior’s arms are open wide.

Leave behind your woe and care, take your burden, leave it there at the riverside.

See that band all dressed in red? God’s a gonna trouble the water.

It looks like the band that Moses led. God’s a gonna trouble the water.

Refrain

Go down to the riverside, where the Savior’s arms are open wide.

Leave behind your woe and care, take your burden, leave it there at the riverside.

*Blessing Our Gifts

Gracious God, as we offer our gifts today, we reflect on the wisdom in the words from John’s gospel. In this imagery, we recognize our role as branches, connected to you, the source of our strength and vitality. Help us stay rooted in your love, producing fruit that brings glory to your name. May these gifts signify our commitment to abide in your teachings and work joyfully in response to your love. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

…To Go Into the World.

Getting Strong & Holding On (Announcements)

Go For It!

Commission & Benediction:

Branches of the Vine, go from this place blessed by Love to work in love with your family, your friends, your neighbors, and strangers who will become friends, bearing the fruit of the lifegiving Vine as you cultivate abundant life wherever you go. Amen.

Sweet, Sweet Spirit UMH 334

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,

and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;

there are sweet expressions on each face,

and I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove,

stay right here with us, filling us with your love;

and for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;

without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived

when we shall leave this place.

Postlude: – Postlude in D (Caleb Simper, 1856-1942. Arr. Michael Ryan. © 2014 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of the Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Livestreamed under ONE LICENSE #732935-A.)