Conference Worship Service- Apri11, 2021

Order of Service

Prelude: Pancakes & Praise Band Cover “Way Maker” (First UMC of Honolulu)

Call to Worship: Mele Maka, Conference Lay Leader
Come, let us gather in the one unifying Spirit, unite us Lord by your everlasting love.
We welcome the one who doubts.
We welcome the one who says, “unless I see, unless I touch.  
We welcome those who have heard the good news, the ‘Resurrection News’ and are filled with fear locked away isolated one from another in distant virtual spaces.  
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live, gather, and worship in unity!
We’ve come to worship in Spirit and truth with joy and thanksgiving.
Come let us worship the risen Lord.
(written by Rev. Alma Johnson-Hawkins)

Unison Opening Prayer: Rev. Christy Clark
Mighty God, Living God,
Your eternal love is so deep, so broad, so high, and beyond all thought and imagination.

You made the world in beauty and restore all things in glory through the birth, life, crucifixion, death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Give us a spirit of kindness to welcome all people in fellowship and generous affection,

Teach us to keep faithful witness and boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus' resurrection,

As we move through every sorrow, trial, and uncertainty of this life, strengthen, and uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son, we will share in his resurrection.  Amen
(written by Rev. Alma Johnson-Hawkins)

Opening Hymn: UMH 158 “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” (Church of the Good Shepherd)

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35 Marissa Wells, Conference Staff
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Solo: “Graves into Gardens” by Valerie Hungalu (Guam UMC)

Response Music: ‘Ofa Ta’emalau (Indescribable Love) by Valerie Hungalu (Guam UMC)  

Offertory Prayer: Rev. Alma Johnson-Hawkins, Conference Staff
Acts 4:32-35 is a passage of scripture that encourages us to love and care for each other in unity as the Church.  We read about the generosity of the believers, holding nothing back – giving all.  In these challenging times I come asking you to make an offering.  In these times when some are battling illness, faced with loosing homes, jobs, family members, loved ones, friends, and other resources I come asking you to make an offering.  In these challenging times I come with the reminder that worship, praise, and making an offering to God are essential to our faith.  In these challenging times I ask you to make an offering to your home church.  

Holy One, we proclaim that Jesus, the Messiah, lives again.  Yet, our thoughts are quickly cluttered with finite, insignificant activities, and agendas. Instead of remaining focused on the abundance of divine transformation, we return to a pessimistic mindset of scarcity. Refocus our attention on the joy of Easter, so that we may recognize all that we have received and be led to give cheerfully. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. John 20:19-31
Adapted from www.DavidSBell.org.

Closing Hymn: UMH 364 “Because He Lives” (Church of the Good Shepherd)

Benediction: Rev. Ed Hansen
The God of peace,
who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
make you complete in every good gift so that you may do God's will.
May God work among us
all that which is pleasing in God's sight through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever and ever.     Amen.
   Heb. 13:20, 21.

Postlude: Pancakes & Praise Band Cover “Trading My Sorrows” (First UMC of Honolulu)

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Music Credits and Permissions:

1 - Prelude
"Waymaker"
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu
CCLI #11628102
CCLI Streaming #20647138
CCLI Song #7115744

4 - Opening Hymn
"Because he lives"
Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither
CCLI #11628102
CCLI Streaming #20647138
CCLI Song #16880

6 - Solo
"Graves Into Gardens"
Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Steven Furtick | Tiffany Hudson
© 2019 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing)
Bethel Music Publishing
CCLI #918421
CCLI Streaming #20647138
CCLI Song # 7138219

8 - Response
‘Ofa Ta’emalau (Indescribable Love)
Used with permission

10 - Closing Hymn
UMH 158 “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”
Public Domain