St. James Presbyterian Church (USA)
Sunday, May 17, 2026
The Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)
“Serving the Kingdom of God for One Hundred and Thirty-One Years
in the City of New York."
"Through the Hush Arbor to Olivet"
Order of Service
Prelude Oscar Maxwell, III
Psalm of the Day Psalm 68.1-10, 32-35
*Call to Worship RE Andréa Bradford
One: The world is weary, yet God still gathers the people.
All: We come carrying questions, burdens, and hope.
One: Christ has ascended, yet we are not abandoned.
All: The Spirit is still drawing us together in love and strength.
Opening Hymn “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun” PH 423
Prayer of Adoration RE Andréa Bradford
Holy and ever-present God, in seasons of uncertainty you continue gathering your people together. You meet us in rooms filled with prayer, memory, tenderness, and hope. As Christ prayed for the disciples before the darkness came, remind us now that we too are held within divine love and care. Steady our hearts, deepen our trust, and draw us into the quiet strength of your Spirit. Amen.
Musical Response “My Tribute” Andraé Crouch
Call to Confession (Remain Seated) RE Andréa Bradford
Even while God gathers us in love, fear often convinces us to retreat from one another and from ourselves. Yet Christ continues praying for us, calling us back into grace, honesty, and healing. Let us confess together before God and one another.
Confession
Merciful God, we confess that anxiety has often shaped our spirits more deeply than trust. We have allowed fear to harden our hearts, exhaustion to isolate us, and uncertainty to diminish our compassion for others and for ourselves. We confess the ways we have accepted despair as inevitable, forgotten the strength of community, and neglected the sacred work of caring for one another. Forgive us for the times we have failed to embody the tenderness, courage, and hope of Christ. Gather us again into your healing presence and remind us that we are never abandoned from your love. Amen.
Silent Confession
Musical Response “I Don’t Mind Waiting” Juanita Bynum
Assurance of Pardon RE Andréa Bradford
Beloved, hear the good news: before the Church ever fully understood itself, Christ prayed for it in love. Before we found words for our fears, God already knew them. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, held, strengthened, and gathered again into grace. Thanks be to God.
Musical Response “I Really Love the Lord” Jimmy Dowell
Community Life
Peace of Christ RE Andréa Bradford
Even in uncertain days, Christ continues gathering the people together in love, mercy, and hope. The peace of Christ be with you.
And also, with you.
Prayer of Illumination
Spirit of the living God, quiet the noise within us and around us so that we may hear your Word with open hearts. As the disciples waited together in hope, teach us to listen deeply for your presence moving among us still. Illuminate these scriptures with wisdom, tenderness, and truth. Amen.
Scripture First Reading Acts 1.6-14
Second Reading 1 Peter 4. 12-14, 5:6-11 Gospel John 17.11
Let the Children Come “Walking Into What Comes Next”
Special Music “We Shall Behold Him” Dottie Rambo
Sermon “Wait and See What God Gon’ Do” Rev. Dr. Derrick McQueen
*Congregational Hymn “Blessed Be the Name” William H. Clark
Prayers of and for the People
Offering *Doxology Prayer
*Closing Hymn “Love Lifted Me” James Rowe
*Benediction
*Musical Amen
Postlude
The End of Worship, the Beginning of Service
Sermon Companion Guide
“Wait and See What God Gon’ Do”
Seventh Sunday of Easter · Year A
Scripture Focus: Acts 1:6–14 & John 17:1–11
WHY THIS SERMON FOR THIS SUNDAY
The Seventh Sunday of Easter lives in the quiet space between Ascension and Pentecost. Christ has ascended from the disciples’ sight, yet the Holy Spirit has not yet arrived in power. The Church stands in an unfinished moment, carrying uncertainty, memory, tenderness, and hope all at once. This sermon reflects on what it means to remain together while the future still feels unresolved. In anxious times shaped by political instability, economic strain, grief, and uncertainty, the Church remembers that faithfulness is not always spectacle or certainty. Sometimes faithfulness looks like people gathering together long enough to wait and see what God gon’ do.
LISTENING FOR THE GOOD NEWS
• God remains present even when the future feels unfinished.
• The Church is formed through companionship before certainty.
• Prayer can steady people before answers arrive.
• Gathering together is sacred resistance against fear and isolation.
• The Spirit often begins moving quietly before we fully recognize it.
• Love, memory, community, and endurance carry holy power.
A PLAIN-LANGUAGE WORD ABOUT “WAITING”
Waiting in scripture is not passive resignation. The disciples are not simply sitting still doing nothing after Jesus ascends. They return together to Jerusalem, gather in the same room, pray together, and remain close to one another while life feels uncertain. This kind of waiting is active trust. It is the decision not to disappear into fear, despair, or isolation while the future is still unfolding.
This sermon invites us to think about the ways communities survive difficult seasons together. Many people today carry anxiety about politics, healthcare, economic instability, grief, violence, and the future itself. Yet the Church has long been a place where people gather for strength, prayer, care, food, music, memory, and hope while waiting for life to become clearer again.
IMAGES TO HOLD FROM THE SERMON
• The Walk from Olivet — Disciples returning quietly after the spectacle fades.
• The Upper Room — People gathered together before they fully understand the future.
• Hush Arbor Waiting — Communities surviving together while awaiting divine movement.
• The Open Church Doors — Sanctuary remaining available in anxious times.
A CENTRAL CLAIM TO CARRY
Before the disciples knew what God would do next, they knew who they could sit beside while they waited.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
When have I experienced uncertainty that could only be endured in community?
Who are the people that help steady me during difficult seasons?
What forms of fear or anxiety are shaping my life right now?
Where might the Spirit already be quietly moving before I fully recognize it?
PRACTICES FOR THE WEEK
• Stay Connected: Reach out to someone instead of carrying burdens alone.
• Create Shelter: Make space where another person feels welcomed and safe.
• Pray Before Certainty: Resist waiting for perfect clarity before speaking honestly with God.
• Notice Quiet Strength: Pay attention to small acts of endurance, tenderness, and care around you.
• Gather Intentionally: Share a meal, conversation, or moment of companionship with others.
• Resist Isolation: Refuse the temptation to withdraw completely during anxious seasons.
A PRAYER YOU MAY CARRY
God of the waiting room and the wilderness road, remain near to us while the future still feels unfinished. When fear grows heavy and uncertainty surrounds us, gather us again into communities of tenderness, prayer, courage, and hope. Teach us how to walk beside one another with patience and compassion while we wait for what is still unfolding. Remind us that we are not abandoned, not forgotten, and not alone. Strengthen us to keep showing up for one another until peace slowly finds us again. Amen.
Rev. Derrick McQueen, Ph.D. 2026 ©
Sunday, May 17, 2026
The Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)
“Serving the Kingdom of God for One Hundred and Thirty-One Years
in the City of New York."
"Through the Hush Arbor to Olivet"
Order of Service
Prelude Oscar Maxwell, III
Psalm of the Day Psalm 68.1-10, 32-35
*Call to Worship RE Andréa Bradford
One: The world is weary, yet God still gathers the people.
All: We come carrying questions, burdens, and hope.
One: Christ has ascended, yet we are not abandoned.
All: The Spirit is still drawing us together in love and strength.
Opening Hymn “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun” PH 423
Prayer of Adoration RE Andréa Bradford
Holy and ever-present God, in seasons of uncertainty you continue gathering your people together. You meet us in rooms filled with prayer, memory, tenderness, and hope. As Christ prayed for the disciples before the darkness came, remind us now that we too are held within divine love and care. Steady our hearts, deepen our trust, and draw us into the quiet strength of your Spirit. Amen.
Musical Response “My Tribute” Andraé Crouch
Call to Confession (Remain Seated) RE Andréa Bradford
Even while God gathers us in love, fear often convinces us to retreat from one another and from ourselves. Yet Christ continues praying for us, calling us back into grace, honesty, and healing. Let us confess together before God and one another.
Confession
Merciful God, we confess that anxiety has often shaped our spirits more deeply than trust. We have allowed fear to harden our hearts, exhaustion to isolate us, and uncertainty to diminish our compassion for others and for ourselves. We confess the ways we have accepted despair as inevitable, forgotten the strength of community, and neglected the sacred work of caring for one another. Forgive us for the times we have failed to embody the tenderness, courage, and hope of Christ. Gather us again into your healing presence and remind us that we are never abandoned from your love. Amen.
Silent Confession
Musical Response “I Don’t Mind Waiting” Juanita Bynum
Assurance of Pardon RE Andréa Bradford
Beloved, hear the good news: before the Church ever fully understood itself, Christ prayed for it in love. Before we found words for our fears, God already knew them. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, held, strengthened, and gathered again into grace. Thanks be to God.
Musical Response “I Really Love the Lord” Jimmy Dowell
Community Life
Peace of Christ RE Andréa Bradford
Even in uncertain days, Christ continues gathering the people together in love, mercy, and hope. The peace of Christ be with you.
And also, with you.
Prayer of Illumination
Spirit of the living God, quiet the noise within us and around us so that we may hear your Word with open hearts. As the disciples waited together in hope, teach us to listen deeply for your presence moving among us still. Illuminate these scriptures with wisdom, tenderness, and truth. Amen.
Scripture First Reading Acts 1.6-14
Second Reading 1 Peter 4. 12-14, 5:6-11 Gospel John 17.11
Let the Children Come “Walking Into What Comes Next”
Special Music “We Shall Behold Him” Dottie Rambo
Sermon “Wait and See What God Gon’ Do” Rev. Dr. Derrick McQueen
*Congregational Hymn “Blessed Be the Name” William H. Clark
Prayers of and for the People
Offering *Doxology Prayer
*Closing Hymn “Love Lifted Me” James Rowe
*Benediction
*Musical Amen
Postlude
The End of Worship, the Beginning of Service
Sermon Companion Guide
“Wait and See What God Gon’ Do”
Seventh Sunday of Easter · Year A
Scripture Focus: Acts 1:6–14 & John 17:1–11
WHY THIS SERMON FOR THIS SUNDAY
The Seventh Sunday of Easter lives in the quiet space between Ascension and Pentecost. Christ has ascended from the disciples’ sight, yet the Holy Spirit has not yet arrived in power. The Church stands in an unfinished moment, carrying uncertainty, memory, tenderness, and hope all at once. This sermon reflects on what it means to remain together while the future still feels unresolved. In anxious times shaped by political instability, economic strain, grief, and uncertainty, the Church remembers that faithfulness is not always spectacle or certainty. Sometimes faithfulness looks like people gathering together long enough to wait and see what God gon’ do.
LISTENING FOR THE GOOD NEWS
• God remains present even when the future feels unfinished.
• The Church is formed through companionship before certainty.
• Prayer can steady people before answers arrive.
• Gathering together is sacred resistance against fear and isolation.
• The Spirit often begins moving quietly before we fully recognize it.
• Love, memory, community, and endurance carry holy power.
A PLAIN-LANGUAGE WORD ABOUT “WAITING”
Waiting in scripture is not passive resignation. The disciples are not simply sitting still doing nothing after Jesus ascends. They return together to Jerusalem, gather in the same room, pray together, and remain close to one another while life feels uncertain. This kind of waiting is active trust. It is the decision not to disappear into fear, despair, or isolation while the future is still unfolding.
This sermon invites us to think about the ways communities survive difficult seasons together. Many people today carry anxiety about politics, healthcare, economic instability, grief, violence, and the future itself. Yet the Church has long been a place where people gather for strength, prayer, care, food, music, memory, and hope while waiting for life to become clearer again.
IMAGES TO HOLD FROM THE SERMON
• The Walk from Olivet — Disciples returning quietly after the spectacle fades.
• The Upper Room — People gathered together before they fully understand the future.
• Hush Arbor Waiting — Communities surviving together while awaiting divine movement.
• The Open Church Doors — Sanctuary remaining available in anxious times.
A CENTRAL CLAIM TO CARRY
Before the disciples knew what God would do next, they knew who they could sit beside while they waited.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
When have I experienced uncertainty that could only be endured in community?
Who are the people that help steady me during difficult seasons?
What forms of fear or anxiety are shaping my life right now?
Where might the Spirit already be quietly moving before I fully recognize it?
PRACTICES FOR THE WEEK
• Stay Connected: Reach out to someone instead of carrying burdens alone.
• Create Shelter: Make space where another person feels welcomed and safe.
• Pray Before Certainty: Resist waiting for perfect clarity before speaking honestly with God.
• Notice Quiet Strength: Pay attention to small acts of endurance, tenderness, and care around you.
• Gather Intentionally: Share a meal, conversation, or moment of companionship with others.
• Resist Isolation: Refuse the temptation to withdraw completely during anxious seasons.
A PRAYER YOU MAY CARRY
God of the waiting room and the wilderness road, remain near to us while the future still feels unfinished. When fear grows heavy and uncertainty surrounds us, gather us again into communities of tenderness, prayer, courage, and hope. Teach us how to walk beside one another with patience and compassion while we wait for what is still unfolding. Remind us that we are not abandoned, not forgotten, and not alone. Strengthen us to keep showing up for one another until peace slowly finds us again. Amen.
Rev. Derrick McQueen, Ph.D. 2026 ©