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A couple with a young son sing a hymn together during worship.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

  • Date: Sunday, April 30, 2023
  • Time: 10:30am11:30am
  • Location: Sanctuary

April 30, 2023 | Fourth Sunday of Easter


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Events and Announcements

Explore the calendar of events and recent announcements to take another step into our life together this week.


Prelude

Pastorale in E Major, César Franck

Today’s excerpt from César Franck’s Pastorale in E Major from his Six Pièces draws inspiration from the idyllic simplicity of nature and the countryside. In this excerpt we hear an initial theme, which is then restated and combined with a second theme; a compositional device Franck used often. Pastorales were a popular musical form during the Romanticism of the 19th century, which glorified all forms of nature, as exemplified by Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and Schubert’s Trout Quintet. Composers often used pastorales as an “oasis” of peace and calm in the center of their works, and indeed, Franck’s Pastorale is fourth of his Six Pièces.

Perhaps most fitting for today’s prelude, the word pastor in Latin means “shepherd.” May the peace and calm we hear in today’s prelude excerpt from Franck’s Pastorale prepare us to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd today and in our daily lives.

Call to Worship

Our Good Shepherd calls.
He knows us each by our name.

Our Good Shepherd leads.
We are here to listen and to follow.

Our Good Shepherd protects and provides.
We give thanks and praise for our Good Shepherd.

Hymn #394, “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation”

Refrain:
Day of delight and beauty unbounded,
tell the news, the gospel spread!
Day of all wonder, day of all splendor,
praise Christ risen from the dead!

1. Sing of the sun from darkness appearing;
sing of the seed from barren earth greening;
sing of creation, alleluia!
Sing of the stream from Jesus’ side flowing;
sing of the saints in water made holy;
sing of salvation, alleluia! (Refrain)

2. Sing now of mourning turned into dancing;
sing now the mystery, hope of our glory;
sing with thanksgiving, alleluia!
Sing now of fasting turned into feasting;
sing the Lord’s favor lasting forever;
sing, all things living, alleluia!

Prayer of Adoration

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession (together)

Savior God, you beckon us, but we do not heed your call. You gather us, but we wander away, losing ourselves in false and superficial comforts. You speak truth, but we fail to hear and respond. Good Shepherd, do not give up on us. Redeem us. Restore us. Resurrect us for life in Christ. Amen.

Silent Prayer

Assurance of Pardon

Even when we walk through the darkest valley, God is with us. God does not abandon us. Know that you are forgiven and receive Christ’s peace. Amen.

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

1 Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

2 World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Passing of the peace

Life in Community

Thank you for joining us for worship! Explore the calendar of events and recent announcements to take another step into our life together this week. If you’re joining us for the first time or would like to learn more about Catonsville Presbyterian, you’re welcome to share your email with us. We’ll send some information that will help you get connected.

Children’s Message

Prayer for Illumination

Savior God, we are in awe of you and the way you guide us to the greater good. You’ve gifted us with the Holy Spirit as our advocate and guide. Open us to the Spirit’s wisdom and truth. Open our ears, minds, and hearts to your Word read and proclaimed today. May we know your truth and respond in faith. Amen.

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Message: “Resurrection Practices”

Affirmation of Faith: THe Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand
of God the Father almighty,
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sacrament of Baptism

Hymn #297: “In Christ Called to Baptize”

1. In Christ called to baptize, we witness to grace
and gather a people from each land and race.
In deep, flowing waters, we share in Christ’s death,
then, rising to new life, give thanks with each breath.

2. In Christ called to banquet, one table we share,
a haven of welcome, a circle of care.
Although we are many, we share in one bread.
One cup of thanksgiving proclaims Christ, our head.

3. In Christ called to witness, by grace we will preach
the life-giving gospel; God’s love we will teach.
By grace may our living give proof to our praise
in costly compassion reflecting Christ’s ways.

4. Unite us, anoint us, O Spirit of love,
for you are within us, around us, above.
Equip us for service with gifts you bestow.
In Christ is our calling. In Christ may we grow.

Presentation of Dorothea Marie Bender

Promise and Commitment

Q: Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ promise to guide and nurture Dorothea by word and deed, with love and prayer?
A: We do.

Q: Will you encourage her to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of Christ’s church?
A: We will.

Baptism

Prayer

Ordination and Installation

Opening words

There are different gifts,
but it is the same Spirit who gives them.
There are different ways of serving God,
but it is the same Lord who is served.
God works through different people in different ways,
but it is the same God who achieves God’s purpose through them all.
Each one is given a different gift by the Spirit,
To use it for the common good.
Together we are the body of Christ,
And individually members of him.
Though we have different gifts,
together we are a ministry of reconciliation led by the risen Christ.

Ruling Elders

Officers marked with an asterisk* indicates the individual is also being ordained.

  • Melissa Lambdin
  • Norman Lazarus*
  • Howie Nixon

Deacons

Officers marked with an asterisk* indicates the individual is also being ordained.

  • Chuck Field*
  • Jane Kennedy*
  • Rick Santos*
  • Susan Schultise
  • Charre Symms

Questions for the Officers-Elect

Questions for the Congregation

Q: Do we, the members of the church, accept these people as ruling elders and deacons, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?
A: We do.

Q: Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church?
A: We do.

 

Call to Offering

Our God provides for us as a shepherd provides for his sheep. Let us return a portion of all we have been given in gratitude for our God’s generosity.

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Offertory: “Lord, I Want to be A christian,” Arr. Moses Hogan

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.

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

Risen and redeeming God, you have given us more than we could ever give you in return. You meet our needs and transform us for service. Accept these gifts as tokens of our gratitude and bless Christ’s ministry with these offerings. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Shepherd God, who gathers us for worship and prayer, who sustains us with the breath of life, who quenches our thirst with calm and holy waters, hear our prayers for those in need.

Grant relief to the suffering;
Have mercy on the oppressed;
Heal the sick;
Raise up those who have been beaten down;
Feed the hungry;
Humble the proud;
Return the lost;
Release the captives;
Revive those who are exhausted and weak;
Calm the anxious;
Comfort those who live in fear;
Redeem our violent, warring world;
Grant us all peace.

Ground us in your good news, O God, and help us hold on to your promises of hope. Keep our feet steady on Christ’s path as we seek to be his faithful followers, praying the prayer Jesus taught us saying:

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 #295, “O Christ, the Healer”

1. Go to the world! Go into all the earth.
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth,
baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

2. Go to the world! Go into every place.
Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

3. Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
the nights of tears give way to joyous day.
As servant church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

4. Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
for I am with you till the age shall end,
when all the hosts of glory cry “Amen!”
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Charge and Benediction

We stand in awe of our amazing God.
We live guided by our Good Shepherd.
We are commissioned for service by the breath of the Holy Spirit.

We are a blessed people.
Let us go and be a blessing to others.

May the grace, hope, peace, and love of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer be with us all, now and forever. Amen.

Postlude

Toccata in F Major, BuxWV 157, Dietrick Buxtehude

This work is wonderfully dramatic. Florid scale passages, freedom, and an improvisatory approach are all hallmarks of the Baroque stylus phantasticus. Today’s excerpt is the toccata portion only, which when performed in its entirety is followed by a strict fugue.


Participants

  • Dorothy Boulton, Associate Pastor
  • Andrew Glennan, Video production
  • Wendy Johnston, Organist and Assistant Director of Music
  • Greg Knauf, Director of Music
  • Kenneth E. Kovacs, Pastor
  • Vickie Lord, Social media support
  • Dottie Marshall, Sanctuary set up

Sources

  • Teri McDowell Ott, The Presbyterian Outlook, 2023.
  • 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
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