ASCENSION SUNDAY
May 12, 2024 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Excerpts from 1st movement of Sonata No. 6, Op. 65 “Our Father, who art in Heaven”
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: Grace and peace to you from God.
People: God fills us with truth and joy.
Leader: This is the day which the Lord has made.
People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
*Gathering Hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Verse 2 (Ode to Joy)
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Gracious God, we have sinned
in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done,
and in the good we have not done.
We have fallen short in our ignorance;
we have fallen short in our weakness;
we have fallen short through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
Forgive us and renew our hearts to trust in you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
267 Come, Christians, Join to Sing (Madrid)
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.
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, the Holy One of Israel, 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.)
The Presentation
Pastor: This candle represents the new life in Christ. It is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. May all who have received this sacrament walk as children of the light and may God keep the flame of faith alive in them forever.
People: With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you into Christ’s church, to share with us this ministry, for we are all one in Christ. Amen.
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.
First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 102)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Anthem
I Dream a World (8:30am)
Jobson/Ruff
Love Your Neighbor (11:00am)
Cindy Berry
Gospel Lesson
Luke 24:44-53 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 79)
Sermon
The Great Cloud of Unknowing
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Give Me Jesus (8:30am)
arr. Victor Labenske
For the Beauty of the Earth (11:00am)
John Rutter (b. 1945)
This morning’s performance of “Give Me Jesus” – 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.
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
450 Be Thou My Vision (Slane)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
L’chi Lach
Debbie Friedman
Postlude
“Fugue” from Sonata No. 6, Op. 65 “Our Father, who art in Heaven”
Felix Mendelssohn
UPCOMING EVENTS
What’s Happening at Montview?
Attend our Columbarium Reception on May 26; sign up for the next Habitat for Humanity workday; volunteer for Hope Communities and more in our This Week @ Montview email. Click here to access the latest edition.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Amanda Osenga and Sandy Prouty
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Soprano: Erin Pettitt (8:30am)
Children’s Music Conductor: Becki Cornwall (11:00am)
Assistant Conductor: Heidi Shriver (11:00am)
Flute/Student Conductor: Ella Logan (11:00am)
Accompanist: Jim Craft (11:00am)
Handbell Ensemble: Youth Bells (11:00am)
Reader: Bob Homiak (8:30am)
Reader: Ben Meyerhoff (11:00am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Children’s Chorus: Bel Canto Choir (11:00am)
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
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 Patricia Moser in celebration of the baptism of her granddaughter, Blair Elizabeth Severe.
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
The 20/30s Group
Location: Fellowship Hall
10:00am
Children’s Service
Location: Miller Chapel
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers
Location: Sanctuary
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