CATONSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Order of Worship

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Care of Creation Sunday

April 25, 2021

Prelude: Variations on the Hymn Tune Lasst uns erfreuen Denis Bédard (b. 1950)

Call to Worship

The heavens declare the glory of God.

The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.

The plants and trees show God’s presence.

Let us join with creation in praising God.

Hymn 15 – See pages 6 & 7.

“All Creatures of Our God and King”

LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

God our creator,

move us by the wonder of creation,

open our eyes to see.

We have not been good stewards of your creation,

open our eyes to see.

O God, your fertile earth

is slowly being stripped of its riches,

open our eyes to see.

O God, your living waters

are slowly being choked with chemicals,

open our eyes to see.

O God, your clear air

is slowly being filled with pollutants,

open our eyes to see.

O God, your creatures

are slowly dying and

your people are suffering

open our eyes to see.

God our maker,

so move us by the wonder of creation,

that we repent and care more deeply.

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So move us to grieve the loss of life,

that we learn to cherish

and protect your world.

Silent Prayer of Confession

Declaration of Forgiveness

In the waters of baptism,

God pours out mercy and blessing.

In Christ we are a new creation!

Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace

as you share that blessing with others

and care for this good earth,

that all creation may declare God’s glory.

Amen.

Response of Praise – Hymn 23 PLEADING SAVIOR

God, you spin the whirling planets,

fill the seas and spread the plains,

mold the mountains, fashion blossoms,

call forth sunshine, wind and rain.

We, created in your image,

would a true reflection be

of your justice, grace, and mercy

and the truth that makes us free.

God, your word is still creating,

calling us to life made new.

Now reveal to us fresh vistas

where there’s work to dare and do.

Keep us clear of all distortion.

Polish us with loving care.

Thus, new creatures in your image,

we’ll proclaim Christ everywhere.

Life in Community

The peace and joy of the Lord

be with you and yours today.

Thank you for joining us for worship.

Other announcements….

Children’s Message

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Prayer for Illumination

Almighty God,

open our eyes, our hearts and our minds

to hear, see, and know your Word

as we read the words of Scripture.

Empower us with the wisdom

to hear, see, and know what the Spirit

is saying to the church. Amen.

Psalm 148: Hymn 17 – See page 8.

“Sing Praise to God, You Heavens!“ WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN

Scripture: Proverbs 8:22-36

Sermon: Still Creating

Song: God Has Work for Us To Do Composed and Sung by Mark A. Miller

Offering

God has given to us freely

of the goodness of God’s creation.

We now return a portion of these goods

in the hope and promise that these resources

will service God’s commonwealth

in our church, community, and world.

You may give online through our website, catonsvillepres.org.

If you’re not a member or friend of the

CPC community, please consider giving

to a faith community where you live,

a neighborhood church that could

use your support at this time.

In a time of silence now, let us remember

and give thanks for God’s gifts to us this week:

time, talent, money, family, relationships,

friends, life itself.

Then ask yourself:

where is the Spirit leading me this week

to share my gifts through the work of the church

and the love of neighbor?

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Musical Offering: “Praise to the Lord, Almighty”–"To God Be the Glory”

Neander/Stralsund Gesangbuch; Crosby/Doane; Arr. Paul Mickelson

Lum Offutt, piano – Jason Kissel, organ

Prayer of Dedication

Creator, Liberator and Redeemer God,

we pray for the wisdom to be good stewards

of the gifts you have given to us.

Take these gifts, we pray, bless and use them

to benefit others and to empower our work

for justice in the church and in the world.

Amen.

Prayers of the People

Video: Global Ministries of the UCC/DOC

Hymn 22 – See page 9. “God of the Sparrow” ROEDER

Blessing

Bless to us, O God,

the moon that is above us,

the earth that is beneath us,

the friends who are around us,

your image deep within us.

Amen.

Postlude: Toccata in Seven John Rutter (b. 1945)

~ ~ ~ ~

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Participants

• Dorothy Boulton, associate pastor

• Kathy and Keith Glennan, video production

• Susan Hutton, sanctuary set-up coordinator

• Jason Kissel, interim organist

• Greg Knauf, vocalist

• Kenneth E. Kovacs, pastor

• Vickie Lord, teleprompter

• Lum Offutt and Jason Kissel, piano–organ duet

Sources

• Roger Gench, interim editor, The Presbyterian Outlook.

• Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), (Louisville: John Knox Press, 2018).

• Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013).

• "Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with

license #A-734388; CCLI Copyright License B 20481088 4/30/2021 + Streaming License B

20481071 4/30/2021”

Catonsville Presbyterian Church 1400 Frederick Road • Catonsville, MD 21228-5017

Church Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Church 410-747-6180 www.catonsvillepres.org

Child Care Center 410-747-4581 www.cpcfccc.org

kkovacs@catonsvillepres.org dboulton@catonsvillepres.org

office@catonsvillepres.org

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All Creatures of Our God and King – page 2

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