Calendar

Order of Worship

Service for the Lord’s Day

Gathering around the word

Prelude: Cromhorne sur la Taille, François Couperin

The cromhorne is a short length cylindrical reed and has a distinctive slightly buzzy sound. The cromhorne on this organ is found in the Choir division; you will hear the cromhorne pipes coming from the left of the chancel as you face the pulpit. The title means “Cromhorne in the Tenor Voice” and François Couperin’s imaginative rendering of this lovely piece is lavishly ornamented and expressively elegant.

† Call to Worship

Come, let us worship God!

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.

Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn.
I will give thanks to you.
For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Come, let us worship God!

† Hymn #610, “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

Prayer of Adoration

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Savior God, we invite you into our lives for a season, only to forget and neglect you once again. You beckon us, calling for our attention, but we are distracted and busy taking care of other priorities. Remind us, Holy God, that you are the source of our flourishing. You are the living water by which we are planted. Forgive our neglect. Forgive our unfaithfulness. Focus us on you, your Word, and all that your Spirit provides.

Silent prayer of confession

Assurance of Pardon

Christ forgives. Christ transforms. Christ renews. Christ leads us down the path of new beginnings. We are a new creation, ready to sing God’s glory and testify to God’s grace. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!                                                                                                        

† Response of praise: Hymn #582, “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me”

† Passing of the pEace

Life in Community

Proclaiming the Word

Children’s Message

Prayer for illumination

Open us, Holy One, to your Word and your Way. Clear our minds of daily distractions. Fill our hearts with the humility we need to hear and receive the message you intend for us today. Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 108

Hymn #722, “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak”

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Sermon: “The Heart of God”, Kenneth Kovacs

Responding to the Word

Call to Offering

Offering of Tithes and Gifts

OffertorY: Nearer, Still Nearer, Leila Morris, arr. Dan Forrest

† Doxology #607, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

† Prayer of Dedication

O God, maker and provider, you have blessed us with many gifts. Use us, and what we have gathered, to feed the world through your love; through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Prayers of the People & 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.

† Hymn #775, “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”

† Charge and Benediction

As we walk with God, remember, we are an Easter people!
Christ is risen! 

Live into the hope of Christ’s resurrection.
We will follow the Spirit to those who most need God’s love, mercy, and care. 

May the grace, hope, peace and love of God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be with you now and always. Amen.

Postlude: Trumpet Voluntary, John Stanley, arr. David Willcocks

John Stanley (1712 – 1786) was a brilliant British organist and composer, contemporary with George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. Blinded at the age of two in a household accident, he had a remarkable memory. If he had to accompany an oratorio, he would ask his sister-in-law to play it through once, which was enough for him to commit it to memory. The term “voluntary” was used by English composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods and is simply the title for an organ piece, intended to be played before or after the service. Today’s voluntary by John Stanley features the trumpet sound of the organ.

Sources

Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013).

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-734388; CCLI Copyright License B 20481088 + Streaming License B 481071

Worship Participants

Dorothy Boulton
Associate Pastor

Kathy Glennan
Video production

Marcellous Dixon-Grant
Worship Technical Director

Wendy Johnston
Organist and Assistant Director of Music

Kenneth Kovacs
Pastor

Greg Knauf
Director of Music

Melissa Lambdin
Liturgist

Vickie Lord
Social media support

Learning & Growing

Thursday Morning Bible Study

Thursday, May 16 | 10:30 a.m. in the Library

Thursday Morning Bible Study resumes for a special series that explores the Bible’s understanding of death. The Bible does not speak with one voice on this subject. Each week, we’ll study a different passage of scripture and related theological themes, supported by additional articles and reflection pieces to inform our discussions. View the full schedule and readings at tinyurl.com/tmbs-death.

Youth Group: End of Year Cookout

June 2| 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the pavilion

Middle and high school youth are invited to an outdoor cookout on June 2 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.! We’ll meet in the pavilion and enjoy burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian dishes, plenty of sides, and lots of yard games. Contact the office with questions.

Announcements

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Agnes Schneider for hosting today’s Fellowship Hour!

Upcoming Sabbatical

Ken Kovacs will start a three-month sabbatical on Monday, June 3. He will be in worship on June 2, return to the office on September 4, and worship on September 8. Dorothy Boulton will be acting Head of Staff while Ken is away, and we’ll have guest preachers for many Sundays throughout the summer. Look for the Pentecost Messenger with more details.

Worship Next Sunday

Next week, we will celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. We will also recognize graduates during worship and receive a new class of confirmands as active members of our congregation. If you feel led, many members wear red on Pentecost to mark its significance and importance in the life of the Church.

American Guild of Organists Recital

We’re delighted to welcome the Baltimore chapter of the American Guild of Organists (BAGO) for their members and students recital on Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. In addition to performances by BAGO members and two scholarship students, Assistant Director of Music and Organist Wendy Johnston will premiere a new composition by Seo Yoon Kim, a fellow alumnus of the Peabody Institute. Wendy and Seo Yoon Kim were one of four organist-composer teams that were awarded a national Student Commissioning Project through the AGO. Make plans to attend this free, non-ticketed concert and a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately after.

Friday Food Drives

The next Friday Food Drive will be held on Friday, May 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the small Frederick Road parking lot. This year, our congregation will partner with several organizations as recipients of the food collected. The items collected in May will be given to Westowne Elementary for distribution to students as part of an end of the school year package. Sign up to volunteer at tinyurl.com/food-drive-2024.

Realm Signups

Today is the last Realm signup and picture day in May! Head over to the France Room following worship to update your contact information, receive your signup link, and take a photo for the pictorial directory. Pick up a blue flyer if you want more information about Realm and its importance in this next season of ministry.