May 3, 2026
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Welcoming and of Listening To the Heartbeat of God
“When the wind blows…that is my medicine; when it rains…that is my medicine; when it hails…that is my medicine; when it becomes clear after a storm… the healing has begun.”
(Anonymous – and altered by Jope)
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders: Bob Gibbenus & Fiona Hayes
Chair of Council: Vacant
Reader: Peggy Jackson
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
PRELUDE
INTROIT VU # 222 “Come, Let Us Sing”
WELCOMING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING of THE CHRIST CANDLE (Rev. Jope)
When we arrived, we entered this space as separate people, but now we are the people of God, gathered as one body, lighting the candle that reminds us of the presence of Christ in our midst…
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR TERRITORY (Rev. Jope)
As settlers on this land, we are called to live in right relationship with the peoples of the traditional lands of the Treaty 7 and Metis nations. May we be attentive to this relationship every single day.
OPENING CALL TO WORSHIP (Coming Together)
Rev. Jope: In the parched soil of the desert, and in the wandering reality of people seeking meaning and hope, the search is on for God’s living waters.
ALL: God surprises us with new opportunities. We live with renewed hope. We are refreshed by the waters of creation that flow all around us.
(Water is poured)
Rev. Jope: In our desire for health and wholeness, and amidst the challenge to live with respect in creation and with justice for all, the search is on for God’s living waters.
ALL: God surprises us with new opportunities. We live with renewed hope. We are refreshed by the waters of creation that flow all within us.
(Water is poured)
Rev. Jope: In the midst of fear and uncertainty that dries up our spirits, the search is on for God’s living waters.
ALL: God surprises us with new opportunities. We live with renewed hope. We are refreshed by the waters of new life that are promised for each one of us. Let us worship and now let us share in song:
*OPENING HYMN VU # 220 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
AFFIRMATION of OUR FAITH (Unison)
(taken from: Enter Every Trembling Heart, Prayers for Christian Unity – John Killinger –
An Affirmation of Faith for the Easter Season)
We believe in the wildness of the Easter season, when strong
winds blow through the earth and the swollen tips of plants
are bursting forth with life, when the logic of all life is
challenged by talk of resurrection and return.
We believe in the power of God to contradict our naïve
assumptions and overturn our natural expectations by
raising Jesus from the dead again even in the apathy of our
modern lives.
We believe in the presence of the risen Christ, who is here now
in this community of faith, smiling in the faces of children,
nurturing the hopes of the elderly, and challenging us to
deny the finality of death.
He did not die in vain.
God made him the firstfruits of those who slept.
God made the rejected stone the foundation of everything.
God swept a mighty hand across our Scrabble boards and
planted a wildness in our hearts that will not go away.
It is the wildness of the Easter season, and it means that
nothing will ever again be the same, that death itself has
died, and that those who are in Christ will live on. Hallelujah!
OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
H ealing Spirit, we ask for your holy presence:
E mptying our hearts and minds to hear your voice;
A llowing an attitude of trust to permeate our being;
L oving your peace and calming our lives;
I ntending to grow into oneness with you;
N eeding your wisdom to guide our actions;
G iving ourselves to the grace you provide.
It is in the process of healing where each of us will be moved in directions of wholeness. It is in searching for you where we come in this time of worship to feel your presence. It is in community where each of us may gain the knowledge that we are all a part of the whole; that we are creation. Move through us this morning with your grace and with your love. Open our minds to new ideas and deeper wisdom, open our hearts to love deeper with creativity and compassion, and strengthen our whole selves to embrace your ongoing work of healing and justice. We pray in the name of the Healing One….Amen
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Rev. Jope)
God says, let go of the things that are not life-giving. Let go of all that needs to die in order that they may rise to new life. In letting go, we are free to embrace new life. In our dying…is our rising…Amen.
HYMN MV # 27 “Creator God You Gave Us Life”
Engaging
(Reader: Peggy Jackson)
ACTS 7:51-60 (891) Stephen is stoned to death…
1 PETER 2:2-10 (984) A chosen race, a royal priesthood, living stones…
HYMN of ILLUMINATION MV # 119 “God Our Protector”
JOHN 14:1-14 (877) I am the way, the truth, the life…
MESSAGE “Get Yourselves Prepared for Your Own Power Surge”
*HYMN VU # 248 “When Long before Time”
Responding
OFFERING INVITATION (Rev. Jope)
May what we offer this morning in our offering time be a prayer:
that we may be blessed as living testimony to your good news,
that our offerings may be blessed as good news to use in the world,
and that your word may live within us in spirit and in truth. Our offerings will be taken up…
OFFERTORY MUSIC
OFFERING DEDICATION PRAYER (Rev. Jope)
FIFTH SUNDAY of EASTER’S REFLECTION: (Unison)
Rev Jope: As each of us are called to be healers, we celebrate that as the body of Christ, we come together to not only praise God but to also experience healing of minds, hearts, and spirits. We have lit the Christ candle this morning and it is a sign of the light and love of Christ. Let us now join together in celebration and prayer as we ask our God for healing blessings:
ALL: O Almighty God…Creator…Redeemer…and Sustainer, we give thanks for your mercy and for your grace…in fact, we bow before you in adoration.
When we open our hearts and minds….you provide.
When we come to you as empty vessels…you provide.
When we need wisdom…you provide.
When we feel disconnected from life’s vitality…you provide.
When life’s burdens seem overwhelming…you heal.
When we forgive and let go of hurts…you heal.
When our health fails…you heal.
When we recognize that our world needs attention…you heal.
Holy God, your wisdom flows freely to us when we are open to your grace. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear. We give thanks for the oneness with you and offer to you the words which Jesus taught us to offer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name… (Lord’s Prayer)….Amen
Blessing
*COMMISSIONING (unison)
We remember those who have shown us the way and invited us to live as part of the family of God each day. We depart to share the truth we have received and to live with the hope that we cherish as part of the family of God…May we go out in peace.
*CLOSING HYMN “Go Now in Peace” (Besig & Price)
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of ev'ry day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
*BLESSING
RECESSIONAL
POSTLUDE MUSIC
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, MAY 10
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21