Estes Park United Methodist Church
May 2, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Order of Worship
Prelude – Savior Like a Shepard Lead Us – arr. Mary McDonald
Greeting/Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: We are branches, rooted in the vine of Christ.
People: We come because we seek to abide in Christ.
Leader: The branches that remain in the vine bear much fruit.
People: We come because we long to be spiritually vibrant, alive, and productive.
Leader: If we abide in Christ, then Christ’s words abide in us.
People: We come because we strive to be faithful disciples.
Leader: We gather for worship now to the glory of the One God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
People: May we grow wildly as God tends to us lovingly.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Gracious and Loving God, we bow before you today, each of us with our different needs, but whatever those needs, we ask for your strength and help in facing them. And for those of us for whom life is going smoothly, may we pause in gratitude for your abundant blessings.
We pray that you would bless our needy world. Bring justice and peace. Empower us so that we will not be daunted by the difficulty of working for justice, peace, and equity among all peoples of the world. Amen
Opening Hymn – O Blessed Spring – #2076 TFWS verses 1 & 5
Affirmation of Faith – #883 UMH
We are not alone; we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh. To reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church:
to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Offering
Prayer of Blessing
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Lesson: John 15:1 – 8
Sermon – Seeking Nourishment from the FedEx and UPS Delivery Guys
Communion Hymn – In Remembrance of Me – #2254 TFWS
Celebration of Holy Communion
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn - Sent Forth by God’s Blessing – #664 UMH
Benediction
Postlude – I Am Thine, O Lord – arr. Joel Raney
Service Participants:
Pastor: Rev. Ann Steiner Lantz
Preacher: Barbara Bailey
Communion Presider: Rev. Donald Bailey
Recorded Worship Liturgist: Cay Lacey
Zoom Worship Liturgist: Ruth Trittin
Zoom Worship Tech Support: Mike Elgin
Director of Music: Jim Flanigan
Pianist: Nancy Gunter
Videographer: Jim Ecklund