Thanksgiving Eve 2022: The Bread of Life

NORTH BUFFALO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND UPPER BUFFALO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Gathering  Around  the  Word
Prelude                                                         Bob Senay                                ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                                   
CALL TO WORSHIP                      Elder Mark Scott
Leader: Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say rejoice!
People: Thank you, God, for so many wondrous gifts.
Leader: For our homes and families, for our church and    friendship, for food and fellowship.
People: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, we say rejoice.
Leader: Thank you, God, for new life in Jesus Christ, for love, for belonging and for this time of thanks and praise.
People: We all now rejoice and feast in the gifts and grace of Jesus Christ our Savior, the Bread of Life.
 
INVOCATION                                                              Rev. Mason

​*HYMN   Come, Ye Thankful People, Come                   367
 
CALL TO CONFESSION                Elder Judy Scott
We turn to God in prayer and offer this prayer of confession
 
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Wondrous and generous God, you have blessed us with gentle rains, glorious sunsets and sun-warmed days. You bless us with loving families, kind friends and a caring church. Let us receive these gifts with thankfulness and humility. We cannot earn nor do we deserve such generosity, but we graciously open our hearts and hands to receive. Forgive us when we are hardhearted and tight handed, when we don't let your goodness flow through us, when we hide our talents and turn away from the needs of the world. Release us, Holy One, from fear, and create a contagious spirit of giving that touches the world with hope. Amen.
 
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*Response – Gloria Patri
*Passing the Peace
L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: And also, with you.
 
 Children’s  Chat
 
                        The Word of God
 
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture reading         John 6: 25-35

Jesus the Bread of Life
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

​35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

                        L: The Word of the Lord
                      P: Thanks be to God!
 
Sermon              “ THE BREAD OF LIFE “
 
                        Responding to the Word
 
*HYMN  We Gather Together To Ask the Lord’s Blessing  336
*Apostles Creed               Elder Don Herschell
 
Presentation of our tithes and offering
Offertory                                                        
*Doxology
Prayer of dedication              Elder Don Herschell       
Concerns and Celebrations                                                              
Prayers of the People                                            Rev.Mason
The Lord’s Prayer
 
*HYMN      Now Thank We All Our God                            643
*Benediction                                                                                                   *Postlude                                                                                 Bob Senay
                           * PLEASE STAND IF ABLE
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