The Presbyterian Church at Woodbury
May 1, 2022
Third Sunday of Easter
9:30am

WELCOME

OPENING PRAYER

O God, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread.  Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work; who is alive and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

PRELUDE “Prelude on Rhosymedre” Dennis Janzer

CALL TO WORSHIP

Brothers and sisters, if you lift your net and it is empty, come here!
We’ll cast it out again into Christ’s abundance.
If you open your eyes but do not recognize the Holy One, come here!
We’ll find the Risen Christ here among us.
If your life is filled with mourning, come here!
Christ is leading a dance of joy.
Come here, sisters and brothers!
To give blessing and honor and glory to God!

*HYMN No. 611 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
1 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.

2 All thy works with joy surround thee;
earth and heaven reflect thy rays;
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.

3 Mortals, join the happy chorus
which the morning stars began.
Love divine is reigning o’er us,
joining all in heaven’s plan.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife.
Joyful music leads us sunward
in the triumph song of life.

*CALL TO RECONCILIATION

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

*PRAYER FOR CONFESSION

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

Silence is observed

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun.
Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen.

*RESPONSE No. 581 “Glory Be To the Father”
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen, amen.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

ANTHEM “The Light of Glory” Joseph Martin

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE (all children will remain in the sanctuary)

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

O God of sight and insight, send your Holy Spirit to remove the scales from our eyes, so that we might see your truth and grasp your wisdom. Grant us fresh understanding of your Word and your will for our lives. Amen.

SCRIPTURE John 21:1-19

21 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. ² Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,[a] Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” ⁶ He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. ⁷ That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. ⁸ But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards[b] off.

⁹ When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ^/14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John,do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” ¹⁹ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

SERMON “Do You Love Me?” Rev. Marian Carmical

Marian Carmical was born and raised in North Carolina and is a lifelong Presbyterian. She graduated from the Dual Degree Program at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA, with M.Div. and M.A. in Christian Education degrees. She has pastored churches in Virginia, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Her husband, Ed Boyce, is pastor of Pittsgrove Presbyterian Church.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

*HYMN No. 828 “More Love to Thee, O Christ”
1 More love to thee, O Christ,
more love to thee!
Hear thou the prayer I make
on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea:
more love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee,
more love to thee!

2 Once earthly joy I craved,
sought peace and rest.
Now thee alone I seek;
give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be:
more love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee,
more love to thee!

3 Then shall my latest breath
whisper thy praise;
this be the parting cry
my heart shall raise.
This still its prayer shall be:
more love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee,
more love to thee!

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

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.

Communion

Closing Prayer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERING OF TITHES & OFFERINGS

Our lives overflow with God’s blessings in Christ and in creation. With gratitude for all that we have received, let us present our offering to God, trusting that God can do a new thing with our gifts – and with our lives!

OFFERTORY

*RESPONSE

Praise God, from whom all blessing flow, Praise God, all creatures here below. Alleluia, Alleluia Praise God in Jesus fully known; Creator, Word and Spirit one. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

* PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Gracious God, You have given us life and furnished it with much beauty and blessing. In Christ you have given yourself to us, so we offer to you a portion of what we have received to share in the work of your kingdom. Use our energy and ability for your purposes for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen. 

*HYMN No. 498 “Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken”
1 Loaves were broken, words were spoken
by the Galilean shore.
Jesus, Bread of Life from heaven,
was their food forevermore.
By your body broken for us,
by your wine of life outpoured,
Jesus, feed again your people.
Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

2 Loaves were broken, words were spoken
in a quiet room one night.
In the bread and wine you gave them,
Christ, you came as Light from Light.
By your body broken for us,
by your wine of life outpoured,
Jesus, feed again your people.
Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

3 Loaves are broken, words are spoken,
as in faith we gather here.
Jesus speaks across the ages:
“I am with you; do not fear!”
By your body broken for us,
by your wine of life outpoured,
Jesus, feed again your people.
Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

4 By the loaves you break and give us,
send us in your name to share
bread for which the millions hunger,
words that tell your love and care.
By your body broken for us,
by your wine of life outpoured,
Jesus, feed again your people.
Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.

*BENEDICTION

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.