Stray or Stay

Today’s guest speaker is Nellie Baker.
 
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service

Prelude                    
                                            
CALL TO WORSHIP:          
One:             Come to worship God whose love was revealed 
                        in Jesus.  Let all the ends of the earth turn to our God.
All:                  We will worship the Almighty and sing praises.
                        We will proclaim good news to others.
One:             Beloved, we are called to love as God loves us.
                        We are to love one another as sisters and brothers.
All:                  Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
                        We seek to let God’s love be perfected in us.
One:             Remember that you have been baptized.
                        God claims you and has high expectations of you.
All:                  Christ is the vine; we are the branches.
                        We will bear fruit when we abide in the vine.

INVOCATION
 
HYMN:                          “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”                            # 381
CALL TO CONFESSION:    
We don’t confess our sins in the hope of forgiveness; 
We confess our sins with the certainty of forgiveness.
 
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:                                                                                        (Unison)
God of vine and branches, source and power of our life in you: we confess we would rather talk about you than walk with you, for we do not know where you might lead or what you might require of us. We confess we often get caught up in the meaning in your parables, and the mystery of your promises. We confess our failure to trust and love you, forgive us, we pray, in Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
Time of Silent Prayer
 
Assurance of Pardon:
 “In Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.”  In Jesus Christ there is new life, in Jesus Christ           we are forgiven.  
 
Children’s Moment
 
Prayer of Illumination
 
Scripture Reading:                              John 15:1-8                                            ​

The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
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5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

SERMON:                                              “Stray or Stay”                                                     
HYMN:                           “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”                          #382
*Apostles’ Creed
Presentation of our tithes and offerings                   (Offering plates located at door)
 
Offertory                                                                                                                                 
 
Prayer of Dedication
 
Concerns and Celebrations    

BIRTHDAYS: Doreen Diesel, Kathy Marton, Emily Jackson, Tom Miller, Sidney Grace Phillips, Amelia Rose Phillips
           
ANNIVERSARIES Dawn & Bryan Miles
           
JOYS AND CONCERNS
It is a Joy to be able to take Roma Grose off our prayer list after two years of recuperating from kidney replacement and hip surgery she is able to drive herself to church etc.  Thanks be to God! 
 
Doug Ward is scheduled for knee replacement on Thursday, May 6th.  Remember him in your prayers, he has been waiting a long time for this surgery.  Betty Matthews was added to our prayer chain this week, prayer will give her comfort as she and her doctor make decisions on treatment.   Nelson Huffman’s test results were negative and he was discharged from hospital.  As of Thursday, Ed Horne remains at Shadyside Hospital and you may send cards to him at home and Carol will take to him. Also, Susan West has a diseased heart valve. Your prayers are very much appreciated.    
 
SYMPATHY   The Family of James McGuier
 
Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Lisa Phillips, Dixie Avoila, Chuck Dicks, Randy Moore, Karen Eisiminger, Kelley Gump, Mary Ann McFeeley, Ed Horne, June and Keith McGill, Chuck Montecello,  Glenn Miles,  Roger Riggs, Doug Ward, Rick McFeeley, Deron Wood, Dana Wilson, Marge McWreath, Tim Knabenshue, Bill Stewart, Adam Moore, Cris Miller, Frank Huffman,  Nellie Baker, Michael Durila, Jr., Michael Durila Sr., Justin Hagon, Marge Shape, Ed Caffrey and Justin Phillips.     
                                                      
Prayers of the People                                                                  
The Lord’s Prayer
 
HYMN:                         “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul”             #657                                                
Postlude and Benediction

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COVID GUIDELINES for Church Services:  Face masks, hand sanitizer, social distance & seating 6 feet apart, no congregational singing, please participate in responsive readings at your seat if comfortable.

We welcome all who have come to join us in the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Please come again.  If you are visiting with us today, please let us know that we might welcome you into our church family.

Announcements: 
Thank you to all that came out to help at the Church Work Day yesterday!  Working together, we can accomplish so much in God’s name.

There will be a congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, May 16, to vote on nominees for our Pastor Nominating Committee. Please plan to attend this very important meeting.
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Session will meet Monday, May 10th at 6:00 pm.
Trustees will meet Monday, May 10th at 7:00 pm.
Please see the enclosed insert and sign-up sheet for our meeting/luncheon May 22nd.  

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MISSION STUDY DAY IS MAY 22
 
    Everyone in the North Buffalo Church family is invited to our Mission Study Day. As we begin our search for a new pastor, this will be an exciting and informative way to look at who we are as a congregation, what we are looking for in a minister, and what we hope for the future of our church and its ministry.
 
The event will be held in our fellowship hall on Saturday, May 22, starting at 10 a.m. It will include a catered luncheon by Crystal’s Catering and will end by early afternoon. The church will supply bottled water, but as a precaution, those who want other drinks should bring them along.
 
Representatives from Washington Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry will be on hand to lead the meeting and guide the discussion. We will also be sharing the results of the congregational survey and discussing them. 
 
To get an idea of how many will attend the meeting and luncheon, we are asking participants to fill out this form and submit it to the church by Sunday, May 16. We will hold a congregational meeting following the service that day.
 
Set aside the date so that you can be part of this important and exciting event. See you there!