THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
Sunday, April 10th, 2016
The Third Sunday of Easter
Holy Humour Sunday
GATHERING IN COMMUNITY
**indicates the community stands, as able
PRELUDE Prelude on Chesire G. Slater
Please rise to sing:
**VOICES UNITED 161 Welcome, Happy Morning
**CALL TO WORSHIP
Come to worship prepared to laugh and to giggle.
We come in anticipation and eager for some humour,
especially as winter weather has delayed spring’s arrival.
Come to sing of resurrection’s promise echoed by spring’s promise.
“Spring’s promise?” The joke’s on us all.
How can there be a promise of new life?
Earlier this week any daffodils brave enough to poke up
were covered with snow and frigid cold.
Come to celebrate the good news we are called to share.
The good news is that we are inside and warm!
Come to settle into the narrative on the Way of faith.
We come with a smile and with a grin,
knowing that tickled funny bones create their own story.
Come to worship on this Holy Humour Sunday.
We come to allow joy to seep into our hearts,
to encourage an open space for delight.
**PEACE GREETING
The Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
(The Community exchanges words and signs of peace;
Children and youth can proceed to programs)
THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE CHURCH …Gord Dunbar
RESPONDING IN GRATITUDE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY Homage to the Queen of Sheba N. Warren
**SUNG RESPONSE Tune: Voices United, 217
Praise God the giver and the Gift;
All hearts and voices now uplift:
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Creator, Christ and Spirit OneWe
From whom new life and joy have come: Alleluia! Alleluia!
SEEKING TO GROW SPIRITUALLY
FIRST BIBLE READINGActs 9:1-22The Message
ANTHEM Let All the World in Every Corner Sing B. Van der Hoek
SECOND BIBLE READING1st Corinthians 1:18-25The Message
For the Word of God in Scripture, among us, and within us.
Thanks be to God.
**VOICES UNITED 334 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
SERMON“THE JOKE’S ON ME”
SERMON SONG:Just Where They Are
- Just where they are, I’ll find them, you’ll see!
The warrants I’ve got are just the key.
I’ll capture and chain them if they flee –
O God, I’m doing your will, bless me.
- On Damascus road a light blinded me.
I fell to my knees and could not see.
Perplexed and humbled, out to sea,
O God, confused I am, bless me.
- Well, my eyes were open but darkness was mine.
For three days I didn’t drink or dine.
Despair without a vision, fine,
but God, please bless me with a sign.
- I do love the Lord, my God, the Christ,
but meeting with Saul’s a risky tryst.
Are you sure that I’m to be sacrificed?
Bless me, O God, whate’er the price.
- Are you crazy asking us him to embrace?
He’s trouble and to us a disgrace.
While the Spirit’s light shines in his face,
O God, please bless us with your grace.
- Just as I am, your love unknown
has broken every barrier down;
now to be yours, yes, yours alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
REACHING OUT IN COMMUNITY AND WORLD
**VOICES UNITED 715 Come, We That Love
**WORDS OF COMMISSIONING AND BLESSING
POSTLUDEDance with the saints C. Mawby
WORSHIP NOTES:
This Sunday is Holy Humour Sunday. There are many traditions which have developed over the centuries, but the most common is rooted in the understanding that Easter’s reality is a good joke. This Sunday’s passage from 1st Corinthians is the Apostle Paul’s own take that Christ’s resurrection is a stumbling block for those in power (as he once was) because Jesus’ Way of self-giving love is not about power but of becoming fools for the risen Christ. Embrace the fun and the frolic on this Sunday which celebrates the important silliness of discipleship.
PORT NELSON UNITED CHURCH
Burlington, Ontario
OUR VISION
“Anchored in God ~ Sheltered by Christ ~ Sailing with the Spirit”