Life Beyond the Empty Grave – ABIDE in HIM

Fifth Sunday of Easter with Communion

Abide in HIM 

Based on John 15:1-8

       The Risen Jesus is the True Vine. We must abide in him. He nurtures us and sustains our soul. The life beyond the empty grave requires us to leave behind the old shell that we have been attached to. Our attachment to the old shell prevents us from abiding in the Risen Jesus who gives us true life. So, abide in him.

 Order of Worship Service | May 2, 2021

Prelude: “Holy Manna” J. Wayne Kerr

Candle Lighting

Welcoming

Introit: MV 21 “Open Our Hearts”

Call to Worship: Psalm 22:25-31 (The Message)

Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life.
And I’ll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God’s table and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him.
“Live it up, from head to toe. Don’t ever quit!”

From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses,
are running back to God.
Long-lost families are falling on their faces before God.
God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word.

All the power-mongers are before him —worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too —worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together —worshiping!

Our children and their children will get in on this
as the word is passed along from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news— that God does what God says.

Hymn: VU 703 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8

Solo: “I Am the Vine” from John:15; Allen Pote

Sermon: Abide in Him

Communion Hymn: VU 460 “All Who Hunger”

Communion

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer (VU 960)

Meditative Music: “Eat This Bread”, arr. Charles Callahan

Commissioning and Benediction

Hymn: VU 671 “I Need Thee Every Hour”

Postlude: “Trumpet Minuet”, Jeremiah Clarke; Trumpet Tune in C, Henry Purcell

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Land Acknowledgment:

We acknowledge we worship on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.  We thank them for having cared for this land and look forward to relating with them as covenant people of God as we continue to care for this land together.

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