First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
May 3, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Rev. Brian Copeland
CHIMES (Preparing yourself for worship.)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
Christ is a living stone, precious in God’s sight, and on him we build our lives.
We are God’s people, and we proclaim God’s mighty acts, for we have been called out of darkness and into the light.
Once we were not a people, but now we are God’s people; once we had not received mercy,
but now we have received mercy.
With hearts lifted in praise, we come to worship.
HYMN #489 Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
Jesus taught us mercy by praying for the forgiveness of those who killed him. This miraculous grace assures us that no matter what we have done, no matter the words we have left unsaid, we can come to Christ with our honest confession.
Christ, our way, our truth, our life, you have shown us the way, so clearly and fully.
You have not simply told us how to live, you have shown us. But we still don’t get it.
We do not believe all you have said to us; we do not trust the way you have shown us.
Help us, O God. Forgive us. Open our ears to your truth, open our eyes to your way,
and lead us into new life.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
Beloved, believe the good news. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Jesus prepares a place for us, Jesus brings us close to him, Jesus answers us even in our unbelief.
We are God’s own people. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME* (*If children are present. Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Living God, with joy we celebrate the presence of your risen Word. Enliven our hearts by your Holy Spirit so that we may proclaim the good news of eternal and abundant life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 Liturgist
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 7:55-60 Rev. Brian Copeland
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #426 Lord Speak to Me, That I May Speak
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22
New life in Christ takes shape in a community in which people know that God loves and accepts them in spite of what they are. They therefore accept themselves and love others, knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, except God’s grace.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
We offer our prayers through Christ, who lives and reigns forever,and prays for us in heaven.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering p lates are on the front and back tables.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
Great God, to you we give our thanks; your steadfast love endures forever. With gratitude we bring our gifts to you. Bless us and our gifts, that our lives and our resources may be a source of healing and hope, of joy and justice in our world. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God: You are a rock of refuge and a strong fortress for us.
In times of trouble and seasons of shame you deliver us, for you are our redeemer, O Lord, our faithful God.
Therefore, we praise you, joining the song of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Prayer after Communion
HYMN #118 The Day of Resurrection!
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE. Please ask the greeter.
Reminders:
May 3rd – Session and committee meetings following worship
May 15th – Doug’s to Go to benefit WFPC
May 18th – Our turn at food pantry (Off schedule because of Memorial Day being the next weekend.)
May 28-30 – Fireman’s Field Days
June 22nd – Doug’s to Go to benefit Weedsport Fire Department Auxiliary
