May 24 is the Seventh Sunday after Easter and will be a special service. The links to the service and the program can be found on the church website at guilfordchurch.org. The candidate who has been selected by the GCC Search Committee as the successor to Rev Lise Sparrow will lead the service and there will be a member meeting on ZOOM after the service to vote on whether to affirm the candidate. Rev Sparrow will be retiring as of September 20, 2020. The identity of the candidate will be kept confidential until the 24th and as much as possible thereafter until the congregation the candidate is leaving has been informed.
The day is also Ascension Sunday, marking the ascension of Jesus into heaven. All prayers for the day will lift up the shouts of joy and trumpets which marked this passage. Music for the day, under the direction of Andy Davis, includes a virtual choir rendition of “Marlborough” with words by Isaac Watts and music by Abraham Wood (1791) and “Amazing Grace”, arr. Ysaye Barnwell, both anthems, and three hymns: “Jesus Shall Reign” by Isaac Watts, “Hear My Prayer For Unity” with words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette sung to the tune, Aberystwyth, and “How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg, all prepared for the day. The Children’ Story will feature “The Goodbye Book” by Todd Parr, the contemporary reading for the day is “Being The Resurrection” by Victoria Weinstein and the day’s scripture is taken from Acts 1:1-11. The candidate will offer a sermon entitled: “Rise!: The Sequel”. Everyone is invited to join in the on-line chat before, during and after the service.