A reminder that our current church announcements are available here.
You are invited to join us for sharing and prayer on Zoom each Sunday morning at 11. Simply click this link. This morning the Worship Committee plans to have some structured sharing and prayer time for the first thirty minutes, and then leave the zoom call open for more informal conversation afterwards.
Opening Worship Image:
You are encouraged to enter into worship in an intentional way this morning. That might mean creating a special worship space in your home, lighting a candle, or simply closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths.
Welcome from Pastor Joanna
Blessings to each of you on this holy day. We are once again “gathering” for worship on line, and it looks like we’ll be worshiping together in this manner for another month or so. While I miss the in-person connections, I am also grateful for the ways we are able to include such a diversity of voices and gifts in our home-based worship services.
Many of you know that the church is granting me a sabbatical for the month of May. Peace Mennonite participants will receive an email with more information this coming week. It was a joy for me to work with Melissa Atchison, who will serve as our sabbatical coverage pastor, on the sermon for this service. I know you will have a good month with her pastoral leadership and I look forward to joining you again in June.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 8 (read by Jenny)
Hymn of Praise: How Majestic is Your Name
Call to Worship
God’s name is majestic.
God’s earth is a wonder.
Every star in the sky,
every fish in the sea,
every beast of the field,
is created and cared for by the Holy One;
each person on this planet
is held in God’s loving embrace.
Let us worship God with joy and praise!
Congregational Prayer
You are invited to spend some time in prayer, giving thanks for the joys in your life and asking God’s presence, peace, and guidance for yourself and others.
Consider lighting a virtual prayer candle on the Gratefullness web site. Simply click “begin” and follow the instructions. When you enter the information for your candle, type “PMC” in the “name or initials” box. Then, if you would like to see candles that other people from Peace have lit, go to the “view candles” page and type “PMC” into the “search candles” box at the top.
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: Great is thy Faithfulness (from Plains Mennonite Church)
(#327 in Hymnal a Worship Book, verses 1 and 3)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Chorus:
Great is Thy faithfulness. Great is Thy faithfulness.
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-20 (read by Jenny)
Sermon: Peace Mennonite pastor, Joanna Harader, and Peace’s sabbatical coverage pastor, Melissa Atchison, recorded a dialog sermon over zoom last week. We hope you enjoy their conversation about the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel.
Music for Prayer and Reflection:
Mariah Kaufman sent this piece to us and shares: “This is a piece that the Goshen College Chamber Choir took on tour last spring. I wasn’t part of the choir, but I went along as orchestral accompaniment and this is a piece that has stuck with me. “
Offering
You are invited to mail your financial contributions to the church (615 Lincoln St., Lawrence, KS, 66044) or to the home of our treasurer, Roberta Renz (address in the church directory).
See the “How and Where to Give” section of our announcements page for information on giving to other organizations who need funding at this time.
Sending Hymn: The Love of God
Sung by acapella group Sons of the Day, which was started by two Eastern Mennonite College alumni several years ago. (The arranger and lead singer is Matthew Hunsberger.)
Benediction: from Joanna
Peace Mennonite Church 