Big Spring Presbyterian Church
25 S. Corporation Street
Newville, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Melton, Pastor
Rev. William C. Beck, Pastor Emeritus
Avis Allen, Organist
Phone: 717-776-5820
Website: bspresby.com
E-mail: churchoffice@bspresby.com
“The mission of the Big Spring
Presbyterian Church is to know Christ
and to make Him Known.”
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ORDER OF WORSHIP
April 21, 2024
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
"Blessing of the Bikes" Sunday
* indicates stand, if able; Bold indicates ALL read; use blue hymnal unless otherwise indicated
PREPARATION (read silently)
O Lord, You know me.
You know when I sit and when I stand.
You have me always present in Your mind.
For this, O Lord, I thank You.
You know the path for my life and what is best for me.
Lord, reveal to me the path I am to walk.
Bless me and guide me and be Lord to me so that
whichever road I take I may do all for Your glory.
In Jesus name, Amen. -- Beech Grove Society
THE CHURCH GATHERS TO CELEBRATE
INTROIT Christ, the Cornerstone (Price)
~ GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ~
PRELUDE The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Parson)
* CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
With the Lord as our Shepherd,
we want for nothing.
Weeping may linger at night.
but joy comes in the morning.
* HYMN #387 -- "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of the Risen Christ, Your love is greater than we imagine. You not only give us life, You give us an abundant life. You carry us through times of doubt. You contain our fears with words of grace. Give us the courage to sacrifice the good for the better. Set our feet on lofty places. Give us a long view of life. May we accept a temporary sacrifice for the long-term sake of Your kingdom. In Christ, we pray. Amen.
MORNING PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC (recording) Thy Word (Grant)
* HYMN #304 -- "Jesus Loves Me!"
THE CHURCH PROCLAIMS GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON -- Acts 4:1-22 (p. 1696, pew Bible)
(This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!)
SERMON “Coal to Cornerstones" Rev. Dr. Melton
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (unison) -- + from The Heidelberg Catechism (1569)
Q: What do you understand by the providence of God?
A: The Almighty and ever-present power of God, by which God upholds, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty, all things come to us not by chance but by God’s hand.
Q: How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?
A: We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from God’s love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without God’s will, they can neither move nor be moved.
OFFERING & Offertory -- Jesus Loves Me (Callahan)
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE CHURCH GOES OUT TO LOVE & SERVE
* HYMN #344 -- "Christ of the Upward Way"
* CHARGE & BENEDICTION
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #540 (vs. 1) - "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
“God be with you till we meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.”
* POSTLUDE Recessional on St. Anne (Young)
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Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. If you do not have a church home, please talk with the pastor, as we would receive you with open arms. Our Sunday morning schedule is:
~ 9:15 AM: Sunday school
~ 10:30 AM: Traditional Worship service
Today, after worship, a reception will be held in Fellowship Hall. Following that, a "Blessing of the Bikes" will take place in the parking lot, after which bikers are invited to participate in a brief tour of the Newville area.
