First Day Assembly! Your Sunday, May 3rd Service

Call to Worship (Isaiah 41)

L: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none and their tongue is parched with thirst.  I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

P: I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the desolate country a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

L: I will put in the barren places the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. 

P: I will set in the desolate country the cypress, the plane tree, and the pine together, that men may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel created it.

*Prayer of Invocation: Dear Lord Jesus, you say to us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me,” and we answer thee, “O Jesus, thy father’s son, come in, blessed of the Lord!” Amen.

Praise Songs: #51 Beloved, #262 More Precious Than Silver

Prayer of Confession: “Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem.” Father, forgive us, the sins in our society and the sins in our hearts push away the truth. We forget the story of your love and faith. We forget that now we are part of that story, more than conquerors through him who loved us. Almighty God give us eyes to see your only begotten son, Jesus.  Our many fears, our cruel words and deeds, our busyness, our laziness, our lack of love, our lack of faith, these things show that  things are not right. But heal us O Lord and we shall be healed. With you nothing is impossible. Have mercy on us that we might no longer be slaves but sons who are free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Jesus said, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink,” and “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. Come, buy, without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Hear the good news.

P:In Jesus Anointed we are forgiven. Amen

Scripture: Psalm 104, Philippians 4

Sermon: Rejoice in the Lord always

Hymns # #559 Come, Ye Thankful People Come, #296 We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

Announcements: Please contact Jack Hines if you would like to be a census worker. Mr. Hines is coordinating the census in our region. Pay is $22/hour plus 58 cents/mile working on one’s own time. For more information contact him at 715-307-1274

Prayer Chain: For Doris and Harold, for Gary, for Susan, for Don Gilbertson and Audrey, for Cal Baker, for Eleanor Oltman, for Debbie Baker, for Sara and Laura, for the Food Pantries in Ellsworth and Red Wing, for all prisoners, for John in his prison where there is 100% CV19—thankful that most are completely symptom free.