SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 7, 2024 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Sostenuto
Christian Heinrich Rinck (1770-1846)
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: We are gathered in the truth of the risen Christ.
People: We are gathered in thanksgiving and praise.
Leader: We open our hearts in this Eastertide.
People: We open our hearts in belief and love.
All: Thanks be to our gracious God. Amen.
*Gathering Hymn 239 Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!, Verse 1
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
All knowing God, in reverence we bring our mistakes to you.
We confess that we often forget your way of love.
We value our choices more than your guidance,
our abundance more than the needs of others,
ourselves more than your beloved community.
Please forgive us, O God, and restore us in faith and spirit.
Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Alleluia
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
694 Great God of Every Blessing (Aurelia)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
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
Meditation on ‘Now the Green Blade Rises’ (8:30am)
Adam Waite (b. 1978)
More Love (11:00am)
Mark Miller (b. 1967)
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
Matthew 5:13-14 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 4)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Who Do I Say I Am?
Sandy Prouty
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Moderato
Franciszek Walczyński (1852-1937)
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.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
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.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate.
Communion Music
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
729 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian (American Negro Spiritual)
This morning’s performance of “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. Congregants are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”). Contributions can also be made online at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
“Innig” from 6 Studies in Canon Form, Op. 56, No. 4
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Sandy Prouty
Liturgists: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal and Rev. Ian Cummins
Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Conductor: Becki Cornwall (11am)
Assistant Conductor: Heidi Shriver (11am)
Piano: James Craft (11am)
Reader: Nicholas Taber (8:30am)
Reader: Ellherie Gillespie (11am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Children’s Chorus: Bel Canto Choir (11am)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Alex Adgate, daughter of John Adgate and Christina Carballal; Cindy Beitmen, partner of Kate Sibley; The Cummins Family; Dana Curtis, daughter of Doug Easton; 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; Jewel Wegs; Barbara Lovelace Williams, mourning the death of her husband, Clarence
Memorial Services
Chuck and Charla Rudolph | April 12 at 11am in the sanctuary
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 the Montview staff in celebration of the many volunteers who contributed to a beautiful Easter Sunday.
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
Dr. Lisa S. Gardiner
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
Meet the Artist – Amelia Furman
Location: Commons
Jubilate Singers
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
JAM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
6:00pm
MOB (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
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!
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org