Virtual Worship for May 17, 2020

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Ascension of the Lord

Pastor Karen Crawford

Musicians: Alice Hoover, Caroline Heading and Mark Wagner

Liturgists: Gordon and Kelly Kendall

Prelude: Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done…… Mark Wagner, Piano

Lives again our glorious King; where, O death, is now thy sting?
dying once, he all doth save; where thy victory, O grave?

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven!  Praise to thee by both be given:
thee we greet triumphant now; hail, the Resurrection Thou!

Greeting/Announcements/Prayer Concerns: Pastor Karen

Opening Sentences/Gathering Prayer: Gordon and Kelly Kendall

Clap your hands, all you peoples!

We bow before the Lord— the Most High, who reigns o’er all creation.

Shout to God with songs of joy!

We worship the Christ—the Exalted One, who sits above every ruler and authority.

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

We bless the Spirit—the Hand of God, who lifts us into heavenly courts.

Hymn 143 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name…. Alice Hoover, Organ

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall. Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him, crown him, crown Him, crown Him. And crown Him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race ye ransomed from the fall, ye ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng we at his feet may fall, we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.

Call to Confession/Prayer/Assurance of Pardon

Holy One, You call us to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth and clothe us with power from on high. Yet we stand still, our eyes fixed on the heavens, as though Jesus will reappear in the clouds to point the way. We cling to the past, for we find comfort in familiar traditions, even if they no longer serve your purposes. We fear the future, for we cannot imagine a new season of ministry, even though you promise to empower us. Refocus us, O Lord, and fill us with expectant hope as we step into the future you will bring. Baptize us again with your Spirit and enlighten our hearts to discern your will, so that we might embody the fullness of Christ at work in the world. Amen.

Time with Children

Anthem: I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

Prayer for Illumination/Acts 1:1-11: Gordon and Kelly Kendall

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Anthem: Jesus Loves Me, Caroline Heading, Piano

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved. Thanks be to God. 

Message: Lord, Enlighten Our Hearts, Pastor Karen

Praise Song: Open the Eyes of My Heart, Michael W. Smith

Affirmation of Faith   Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22

New life in Christ takes shape in a community in which people know that God loves and accepts them in spite of what they are. They therefore accept themselves and love others, knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, except God’s grace.

Invitation to Offering/Prayer of Thanksgiving/Lord’s Prayer

O God of all glory and majesty, we give you thanks for the gift of your Son, and his power at work in our lives and our gifts. Bless these gifts for the benefits they afford in bringing life to others in your name. Bless our lives that we may be your witnesses to the end of the earth as we love and serve you, O God most high. … 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: Lift High the Cross

Blessing and Charge

Benediction Response: Make Me a Servant

Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today.

Postlude: Crown Him Lord of All…..Alice Hoover, Organ