FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 28, 2024 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Lento-Poco piu mosso
Christian Heinrich Rinck (1770-1846)
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: We gather this day in joy and fellowship,
People: For we are the church of Jesus Christ!
Leader: We pray for the Holy Spirit to be among us,
People: Opening our hearts and minds to the worship of God!
*Gathering Hymn 239 Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!, Verse 4
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Gracious God, our hearts are restless
until they find their rest in you.
Forgive our pursuit of things that separate us
from you and one another.
We turn toward the world and hope we will find peace,
forgetting the world cannot provide it.
Forgive us, we pray, and may our wandering hearts
find their home in you.
Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Alleluia
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
282 Come Down, O Love Divine (Down Ampney)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children . . . . . . . Sandy Prouty
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
At The River (8:30am)
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Rejoice, Ye Shining Worlds on High (11:00am)
William Billings (1746-1800)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
May we roll the stones away
from the hidden places in our lives,
revealing the light, life, and love
you have for us! Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Acts 8:26-40 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 110)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Where Are You Now?
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Moment for Reflection
Sacrament of Holy Baptism (11:00am)
*The Baptismal Creed (Unison)
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. We trust in the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Creator, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Excerpted from A Brief Statement of Faith.)
Reception of Confirmands (11:00am)
Prayer of Blessing (Unison) (11:00am)
We give thanks for you and your important place in this community. Together we will seek to live into God’s kingdom, loving and challenging each other. May we all witness to God’s love for the world.
Musical Reflection
Amazing Grace (8:30am)
H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932)
Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One (11:00am)
Healey Willan (1880-1968)
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
Prayers of the People and 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 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.
*Closing Hymn
308 O God in Whom All Life Begins (Noel)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
Amen, from Magnificat
Gerald Finzi (1901-1956)
Postlude (8:30am)
Fugue in g minor, BWV 578
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Montview has a long and successful history of dedicated and compassionate mission outreach to Denver communities through Habitat for Humanity. Montview supports Habitat workdays each year, both physically (through volunteers) and financially, including both home repairs and new construction. Each workday includes productive work, great fellowship and fun. To learn more, visit their table in the Commons after today’s services.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Ian Cummins and Rev. Amanda Osenga
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Baritone: Chin Tan (8:30am)
Reader: Paul Ward (8:30am)
Reader: Audrey Price (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Alex Adgate, daughter of John Adgate and Christina Carballal; The Cummins Family; The Hodgson and Anton families, mourning the death of Jennifer Anton’s mother, Eva Hodgson; Steve House; Soren Kirk, great-nephew of Janet Wolfer, and his parents; Nik Levinsky; Jeri Mathes, mother of Rob Mathes; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; Dan Pilcher, mourning the death of his wife, Madie Gustafson; Scot Sandoval, son of Juanita Martinez; The Sibley Family, mourning the death of Cindy Beitmen; Marthanne Simons, mourning the death of her sister, Betty Jean Jarvis Martin; Jewel Wegs; Barbara
Lovelace Williams, mourning the death of her husband, Clarence
Memorial Services
Betty Jennings | May 2 at 10am in the Miller Chapel
Madie Gustafson | May 3 at 11am in the sanctuary
Bea Romer | May 25 at 2pm in the sanctuary
Flower Dedication
The flowers in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by Vivian and Scott Showalter in loving memory of their sweet son, Patrick.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
We are so glad your family is worshiping with us today. We also know that sometimes children tire of being in worship. We have a space for those times directly below the sanctuary. You can follow the service on a large screen there while your children enjoy toys, books and space. The ushers can direct you!
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am – 12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
9:30am
Earth Care Series: Building Resilience – Earth Care in a Time of Climate Change
Electric Cars, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps and More: Montview Members Are Going Green
A panel of Montview members
Location: Miller Chapel
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
Confirmation
Location: New Confirmation Room
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Preschool and Second Floors
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Congregational Meeting
Location: Sanctuary
Reception for Confirmands
Location: South Plaza
12:30pm
Coffee with Ian
Location: McCollum Room
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
What’s Happening at Montview?
Watch last Sunday’s Spring Concert; nominate the next class of Elders and Deacons; donate flowers for display in the sanctuary on a Sunday and more in our This Week @ Montview email. Click here to access the latest edition.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org