April 25, 2004

The risen Jesus invites his astonished disciples
to a lakeside feast of grilled fish.

Christ's welcome to us brings us many surprises:
forgiveness and new starts;
a calling to get involved in God's work in the world;
and feasts of celebration and joy.

April 25, 2004

Gathering in Christ's name

Call to worship
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns Oh for a thousand tongues HWB 110
With happy voices singing HWB 83

Children's story
Hymn Break thou the bread HWB 360

Proclaiming God's Word

A scripture reading from Psalm 30; Isaiah 61:1-3; John 21:1-14; Acts 9:1-19 and Revelation 5:11-14
Sermon "Of unexpected events and sacred secret agents"
Hymn I bind my heart this tide HWB 411

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer

Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up, I'd be a fool
You are my All in All

Announcements
Commissioning Prayer for Jean Shumate
Hymn Guide my feet HWB 546
Benediction

Today

Worship Leader - Jim Parks
Music - Dottie Scott, Ben Nissley, Quartett
Sermon - Roy Hange
Scripture readers - Dottie Scott, Tim Nissley, Alan Hostetler, David Franz
Children's story - Jeannine
Nursery - Miriam Nissley

Announcements

Mothers & Others Connecting invites you to an exhibit and sale of Traditional, Fine Palestinian Embroidery, Thursday, May 6th, 2 - 6 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, 717 Rugby Rd. For information see the flyer in the foyer.

The church has a brotherhood fund to help those in need Within the congregation or connected to the congregation. Contributions can be made to this fund at any time aside from the general offering. Request for the fund can be directed to the pastors, a PCT member or the Stewardship person.

All are welcome to an evening with a presentations and discussion exploring the theme: Finding Hope in Religious Peacemaking; a report on Roy's trip to Iran for dialogue in February 2004 and reflections on religious peacemaking on May 11, 2004 at 7 p.m. at Charlottesville Mennonite Church.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: The youth at Ridge Mennonite Fellowship in Jamaica lead the Sunday worship service once a month. The youth have shown a high level of commitment to this service, and are allowing themselves to be stretched more as they take on more leadership roles.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for the new Mennonite congregation in Quito, Ecuador, as it develops three new home groups in the city under the leadership of César Moya and Patricia Urueña and assistant pastor Liliana Ocampo.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank, Salvation Army, and the initiative for the homeless in Charlottesville.