PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE CROSS
1517 South 114th Street
Omaha Nebraska 68144
Phone 402-333-7466
Fax 402-697-9084
www.church-of-the-cross.org
www.organvesper.com
e-mail churchofthecross@pcoc.us
9:00 & 11:10 a.m.
May 4, 2008
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GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
PRELUDE “Great is Thy Faithfulness” William Runyan
The Carillon Choir arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
As we joyfully greet each other today, and share the gifts of friendship and love, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship at the beginning of the prelude.
GREETING Dr. Kirk A. Ryckman
CALL TO WORSHIP Dr. Nancy J. Redman
Leader: We are kept apart by distinctions between races, clans and classes;
People: We are drawn together by God whose image we all bear, whose presence in other persons we see and feel.
Leader: We are kept apart by divisions drawn on maps or inscribed upon our hearts;
People: We are drawn together by God who looked upon the whole of creation and pronounced it good.
All: In communion with our sisters and brothers, we come together through worshiping God.
PRAISE AND ADORATION
*HYMN OF PRAISE No. 473 “For the Beauty of the Earth” Dix
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison) Rev. Regina M. Maas
O God, we have come gladly to worship you with spoken words and songs. Forgive our failings and frailties. Enable us to discover moments of holy laughter in our lives and to recognize through them the surprising power of your grace.
Charge us to be bearers of light and life. Teach us to be jesters who challenge worldly powers with lively words of truth. Grant us the courage to follow a daring Christ who saves us from any somber hopelessness. As you move among us and within us, fill us with joy as your Spirit enters in. Hear these our prayers and hear us as we pray silently. . . .
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION
KYRIE ELEISON
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER
PRESENTATION OF BIBLES
B. J. Bellmore Emily Bennett Stephanie Curtis Dan Edmonds Daniel Erickson
Michael Mazgaj Zachary Metzger Rob Pirnie Tom Swedlund Brian Thorson
JOYS AND CONCERNS Dr. Nancy J. Redman
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS Dr. Nancy J. Redman
Offertory “Sherekea Usafari!” Cathy Moklebust
The Carillon Choir
Daniel Bennett, Kevin Halverson, Michael Frederickson, percussion
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication (in unison)
Loving God, inspire us to offer more than fragments of faithfulness, more than tiny portions of our talents, more than the monetary and spiritual equivalent of spare change. Help us to dare change for your sake, to live by grace and to enjoy the benefits of generosity. We ask this in the name of him who is our model of self-giving, Jesus Christ. Amen.
PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD
TIME WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Rev. Regina M. Maas
SCRIPTURE LESSON Acts 1:6-11 Pew Bible Page 118
SERMON “The Transition” Dr. Kirk A. Ryckman
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
(The prayer of thanksgiving is offered)
Leader: Believing Christ’s promise of eternal life, we live in him and according to his commandments:
People: We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory.
The minister continues the thanksgiving
*SANCTUS
SERVING OF THE BREAD
Hymn No. 521 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” Finest Wheat
CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT
Hymn No. 507 “I Come with Joy” Dove of Peace
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (in unison)
Most loving God, you have given us a share in the one bread and the one cup and made us one with Christ. Help us to bring your salvation and joy to all the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEDICATION No. 343
“Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” Beecher
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
“Go Now in Peace” music by Don Besig. Music and words by Don Besig and Nancy Price
© 1988 Harold Flammer Music
Used by permission. CCLI License #2754688
(*congregation standing)
May 4, 2008
Welcome. We are pleased that you have chosen to worship at Church of the Cross today. Please complete the Ritual of Friendship form found at the pew end. Visitors, please take a red sticker from the card and put it on your collar or lapel so we may greet you. If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to join the family of faith here.
LARGE PRINT EDITIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN HYMNAL AND LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE USHERS. HEARING DEVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
Headphones Available
We now have headphones for use during the worship services for those who may need a little amplification of the sound in the Sanctuary. They are located in the Narthex right next to the north aisle door and the south aisle door. For the best sound, use the headphones labeled for the area of the Sanctuary where you will sit. Help yourself to them for worship, but please put them back so others may use them for another service.
Prayer Chain
Would you like to be remembered in prayer by the Prayer Chain of our church? You may write a request on the Care Card you see in the pew in front of you and put it in the offering plate when it is passed, hand it in to the office at the close of the service or mail it to the Church or call Dixie Williams, 895-0710. You may also join the email prayer chain by calling Gerry Reid and giving her your email address (498-0507).
BULLETINS FOR CHILDREN are found in the WORSHIP KITS located in the Narthex. Each kit has materials to enhance your child's worship experience. Please return your kit to the Narthex after the service.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
The flowers in the chancel this morning are given by the Deacons.
Eric Wiesner is hospitalized in Lakeside Hospital. Cindy Nisley is hospitalized at Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital.
Congratulations to Abby and Euloge Sekle on the birth of their son, Lucah Elolo, born on May 2, 2008.
CHURCH HAPPENINGS
Presbyterian Church of the Cross is turning 50!
Join the celebration on Sunday, May 18. Education hour will be at 10 a.m. followed by a single church service at 11:10. Lunch, a brief church history, and groundbreaking for the new addition will follow. Sign up at the Information Center today!
Jr. High Fellowship 4-6 p.m.
Our group will be going on a scavenger hunt through surrounding neighborhoods, taking pictures, gathering item, and having fun. See you all there!
Sr. High Fellowship
Senior high youth group meets Sunday, May 4th at 12:00 for a picnic. Bring some food, drinks, games, etc. to share. We’ll carpool to Lake Zorinsky and be back to church at 2:30.
Important Reminder for Today
There will be a meeting for all team members of Relay For Life in the east conference room off Fellowship Hall immediately following our second service today. We will be planning for the Relay and getting organized. The meeting will be brief.
Summer Ushers Needed
Ushers are needed throughout the summer, especially during July and August, while our regulars take a break. Singles, couples, and families of all ages are welcome. Ushering is easy and fun, and it is a good way to get to know your church family. Sign up at the Information Center in the narthex. Worship and Music Committee
Friday Night Gourmets
Friday Night Gourmet – an evening of fellowship and delicious food
Date: Friday, May 9 Place: Farmer Brown’s, 2620 River Road Drive, Waterloo NE.
Reservations: Please sign up at the church Information Center or contact Bob and Gerry Reid, 498-0507 or Stan and Charlene Weyand, 397-2691.
Happy Women’s Day
Honor the wonderful women in your life! Silent auction bid from April 27th through May 4th. The Senior High Youth group has put together special baskets for a silent auction with the proceeds going toward their mission trip. You can check out the baskets in Fellowship Hall from April 27th and make bids until May 4th. If you have the winning bid, you will receive a call on May 5th or 6th. Thank you for supporting the youth group and for honoring the special ladies in your life!
The Hiking and Birding Club
The Hiking and Birding Club will meet at 9:00 a.m. on May 17th in the north parking lot and carpool to Preparation Canyon State Park. Bring a sack lunch as we will picnic after our walk. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Tom Stalnaker, 390-9913, for more information.
Special Olympics Mission Opportunity
Presbyterian Men and the Mission Committee invite you to bag lunches for the 2008 Special Olympics of Nebraska (SONE) athletes, coaches and volunteers on Saturday, May 17th, from 6-10 a.m. at Creighton University. We eat breakfast in Becker Hall and then bag hundreds of lunches in the Student Union. Prayerfully consider serving in mission outreach in this way. This will be our 13th year supporting this activity. Please sign up at the Information Center and contact Jon Boomgaarden with questions at 334-1946.
Hey Green Thumb-errs
The Church of the Cross is looking for a few volunteers to help keep our grounds in tip-top shape over the summer growing season. Even with of construction, our plants need your assistance to grow to their fullest. The only investment one must make to this ministry is about an hour a month. A sign up sheet and site map are located in the Narthex, or you may call Doug Hartman, 333-5839 for more info. Thank you for your investment to keep up God’s handiwork.
Chancel Flowers
Would you like to provide flowers in honor or in memory of a special person or occasion for the chancel for Sunday worship? There are dates available in May, June, July, August and one date in November. The cost is $25.00. If you would like to sign up, please call the church office, 333-7466.
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, May 11
Acts 2:1-21 or Num. 11:24-30
Ps. 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Cor. 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
Bread Delivery – Sunday, May 4 – Jeremy and Jeanneane Gerot
Information Center 9:00-Nancy Drews 11:10-Nancy Nicas
Childcare Ministry – Keri Bernet and Staci Dion
ELDERS SERVING COMMUNION
9:00
Darold Bauer Doug Reid
Faythe Harrison Frank Watt
Sara Pickens Carol Dworak
Judy Schafer Ardys Hansum
Lou Harrison Tom Stalnaker
11:10
Jim Chapin Curt Field
Keith Allen Joe Heese
John Bennett Sara Pickens
Bob Reid Bob Knightly
Launie Lambert Gene Pugh
USHERS
9:00 11:10
Henry Arms, Captain Jim Chapin, Captain
Jim Schnabel Verl Bunjer
Dave Gazzetta Tuck Bolton
Tom Stalnaker Bob Knightly
Tim Zimmerman Stephanie Mallisee
GREETERS
Robert and Polly Wyatt Naomi Rueb
Cora and Reece Conner
COFFEE HOSTS
Rock and Anna Sumner