Holy Communion

(words for hymns and bible reading can be found below the order of service)

Welcome & Intimations
Call to Worship
MP 1350 Speak O Lord
Prayer
Introduction to readings
Readings Reading
Acts 5 12 – 16
Acts 6: 1
Acts 8 : 1- 3
Video Come people of the risen King
Reflection
Prayer for others
CH4 659 Put peace into each other’s hands
Communion
MP 109 Crown him with many crowns
Blessing

Call to worship

I say to the Lord
You are my Lord
All the good things I have come from you
For You are my Lord
You Lord are all I have – my future is in your hands
For You are my Lord
You will show me the path that leads to life
For You are my Lord  (From Psalm 16)

MP 1350: Speak O Lord

Acts 5:12-16

The apostles heal many
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought those who were ill into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were ill and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

Acts 6:1-4

The choosing of the seven
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’

Acts 8:1-3

The church persecuted and scattered
And Saul approved of their killing him.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.  Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

CH4 659: Put peace into each other’s hands

1 Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it;
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.

2 Put peace into each other’s hands
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways,
in touch with God’s creation.

3 Put peace into each other’s hands,
like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye:
our life is meant for caring.

4 And at communion, shape your hands
into a waiting cradle;
the gift of Christ, receive, revere,
united round the table.

5 Put Christ into each other’s hands,
he is love’s deepest measure;
in love make peace, give peace a chance
and share it like a treasure.

MP 109 Crown him with many crowns

1 Crown Him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem
drowns all music but its own:
awake, my soul, and sing
of Him who died for thee,
and hail Him as thy chosen King
through all eternity.

2 Crown Him the Son of God
before the worlds began;
and ye who tread where He hath trod,
crown Him the Son of Man,
who every grief hath known
that wrings the human breast,
and takes and bears them for Him own,
that all in Him may rest.

3 Crown Him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife,
for those He came to save:
His glories now we sing,
who died and rose on high,
who died external life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

4 Crown Him the Lords of heaven,
enthroned in worlds above;
crown Him the King to whom is given
the wondrous name of Love:
all hail, Redeemer hail!
for Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.