Third Sunday of Easter
May 4, 2025
Loving God and loving neighbor here in central Vermont
and to the ends of the earth—all to the glory of God
Prelude Music
Prepare your heart for worship.
Rebekah Barnes
Welcome and Announcements Listen for upcoming events and ways you can get involved.
Pastor Josh
Lighting the Candles Jesus is the light of the world.
Acolytes
Statement of Faith—The Nicene Creed Confess what you believe about the Christian faith.
Pastor Josh
L: Let us profess our faith together.
C: We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
Greeting Your Neighbors Greet your neighbors in the name of the Lord.
Congregation
Call to Worship—Based on Luke 24 and Exodus 15 Hear God call you to worship through his word.
Pastor Josh
L: God calls us to worship and we respond. Sing to the Lord who has risen indeed!
C: I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! Alleluia!
Opening Prayer Invite God to work in you as you worship today.
Pastor Josh
Worship Songs Join with the congregation in praise to God.
The Puopolos
Sanctuary
Lord prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Pure and holy
Tried and true
With thanksgiving
I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You
Ancient Words
Verse 1
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
O let the ancient words impart
Verse 2
Words of life words of hope
Give us strength help us cope
In this world where’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
Verse 3
Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
O heed the faithful words of Christ
Verse 4
Martyr’s blood stains each page
They have died for this faith
Hear them cry through the years
Heed these words and hold them dear
Ending
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
O let the ancient words impart
El Shaddai
Chorus
El Shaddai El Shaddai
El Elyonna Adonai
Age to age You’re still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai El Shaddai
Erkamkana Adonai
We will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai
Verse 1
Through Your love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
Through the power of Your hand
You turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God who really sees
And by Your might
You set Your children free
Verse 2
Through the years You made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Though the people couldn’t see
What Messiah ought to be
Though Your Word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
In the frailty of Your Son
Scripture Meditation—Hebrews 9 (p. 1192 in Pew Bible) Hear a reading from the Gospel that relates to the sermon text.
Laura Agyekumhene
Congregational Prayer Lift your burdens and concerns to the Lord.
Pastor Josh
The Lord’s Prayer In closing, pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray.
Congregation
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. Amen.
Scripture Reading—Leviticus 8:1 – 9:24 (p. 102 in Pew Bible) Read this portion of God’s word.
Charlie Stabolepszy
L: The grass withers and the flower fades.
C: But the word of our God will stand forever.
Sermon Hear God’s word proclaimed and explained.
Pastor Josh
Communion Liturgy—Based on the NCC and Heidelberg
Pastor Josh and Congregation
Pastor: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
C: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Pastor: What is the Lord’s Supper?
C: Christ commanded all Christians to eat bread and to drink from the cup in thankful remembrance of him.
Pastor: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ’s atoning work?
C: No, Christ died once for all.
Pastor: How does the holy supper remind and assure you that you share in Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross and in all his benefits?
C: In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup in remembrance of him.
Pastor: With this command come two promises. What are those promises?
C: First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup shared with me, so surely his body was offered and broken for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the one who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ’s body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood.
Pastor: We must be careful not to come to this table in an unworthy manner without taking time to examine ourselves. Take a moment now in silent confession and repentance of sin.
[Silent confession]
Pastor to close the liturgy with a prayer over the elements and the people.
Distribution of the Elements
Elders
Song of Response—Jesus Messiah Respond to the preaching of the word with song.
The Puopolos
Verse 1
He became sin who knew no sin
That we might become His righteousness
He humbled Himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing love so amazing
Chorus
Jesus Messiah Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel
The Rescue for sinners
The Ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah Lord of all
Verse 2
His body the bread His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn
Love so amazing love so amazing
Bridge
All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You God
The Light of the world
Ending
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
The Lord of all
The Lord of all
Extinguishing the Candles You are the light of the world.
Acolytes
Benediction Receive a parting blessing.
Pastor Josh
Postlude
Rebekah Barnes
Extinguishing the Candles You are the light of the world.
Acolytes
Benediction Receive a parting blessing.
Pastor Josh
Postlude Music
Rebekah Barnes