The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by taking a couple of slow, deep breaths.
- Hold your hands over your heart and breathe in, “I am known by God” and breathe out, “I am loved by God”
- Open your eyes, turn to your neighbor, and say to them: “You are loved!”
Call to Worship
Adapted from the Brief Statement of Faith
In sovereign love, God created the world good
and makes everyone equally in God’s image,
to live as one community.
In life and in death, we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the steadfast love of God,
and the faithful presence of the Holy Spirit,
we trust in the one triune God,
whom alone we worship and serve.
Amen.
Worship Songs
My Hallelujah
Open up the doors again
Let the King of glory in
His Kingdom will never end
Oh, I know that You are good
Break the darkness with the light
All the earth let praise arise
Every dead place come alive
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You will have my hallelujah
You alone the highest name
All to You I surrender
Every breath I take
Make my life Your praise
Oh, Spirit of the Living God
Fire burning in my heart
I’m wide awake to who You are
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You are my strength when I am weak
You are my sight when I can’t see
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Oh, when I was lost, You rescued me
When I was bound, You set me free
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
You Hold It All Together
You come at the right time
When I least expect it
Never behind
So why would I be surprised
When You deliver every time
On mountaintops, You stay the same
In valleys low, You never change
And I believe that I will see
The goodness of the Lord
I’m confident as seasons change
Your faithfulness remains
You go, You go before me
To prepare a blessing
You madе a way
It’s more than I could imagine
More than I can fathom
Or comprehend
God of my present
God of my future
You write my story
You hold it all together
And I believe that I will see
The goodness of the Lord
I’m confident as seasons change
Your faithfulness remains
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy,
We thank You for Your love
which calls all life into being.
Yet we have not loved You
with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength,
nor our neighbors as ourselves.
Forgive us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
God of life,
Show us again how to live a resurrection faith,
directed by Your hope and life each day.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Today, as we remember the people and places God has placed on our hearts,
we join together in the prayer Jesus taught us, saying:
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.
Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Celebrations during May: We continue to celebrate both Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month throughout May.
- Reset Sunday: Our next Reset Sunday is coming up at the end of this month on Sunday, May 31st.
- Save the Date: Please mark your calendars for our church retreat, which will be September 18-20 at Palomar Christian Conference Center.
- Art & Faith Mini Camp: Sunday, July 19th~ details to follow!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Simplicity
I come in simplicity
Longing for purity
To worship You
In spirit and truth, only You
Lord, strip it all away
‘Til only You remain
I’m coming back
To my first love, only You
You’re the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I’ll sing
Forever I’ll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
I come with my broken song
To You the Perfect One
To worship You
In spirit and truth, only You
Give me a childlike heart
Lead me to where You are
Cause I’m coming back
To my first love, only You
How I love You, how I love You
How I love You, my first love
Scripture Reading
Matthew 16:13-20
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Reasons to Love Myself:
Named by Jesus
Pastor Jeya
Conversation questions:
- ~~~
Worship Song
Canvas & Clay
In my mother’s womb
You formed me with Your hands
Known and loved by You
Before I took a breath
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me
I’m wonderfully made
You’re an artist and a potter
I’m the canvas and the clay
You make all things work together
For my future and for my good
You make all things work together
For Your glory and for Your name
There’s a healing light
Just beyond the clouds
Though I’ve walked through fire
I see clearly now
I know nothing has been wasted
No failure or mistake
You’re an artist and a potter
I’m the canvas and the clay
Anchor & Hope Church 