May 31, 2015 ORDER

Theme:  "Sometimes, it all comes together..."

Sound Notes:

Out of the Ordinary: The Faith and Learning Design Team will be launching its survey this week. We will be passing the surveys out during the Announcement time and taking the Fellowship Time to have folks begin filling them in. We will close that moment with a prayer.

Reference Scriptures: Acts 2:37-47 &  Romans 12:1-8

 Acts 2:37-47
³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers,^[i] what should we do?” ³⁸ Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” ⁴⁰ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
⁴³ Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds^[j] to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home^[k] and ate their food with glad and generous^[l] hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Romans 12:1-8
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,^[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual^[b] worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world,^[c] but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[d]
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶ We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸ the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

8:30 AM Order of Service Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship:

Leader: The Spirit of God be with you.

In the homes that shelter us and welcome strangers,

People: The Spirit of God dwell with you.

On this path where the footing is tricky,

Leader: The Spirit of God walk with you.

Through the mist with its disorienting shadows,

 

People: The Spirit of God gaze calmly with you.

At the table, whether crowded or quiet,

Leader: The Spirit of God sit with you.

No matter the turbulence or shifting ground,

People: The Spirit of God stand with you.

In every breath, in each wound & every exuberance,

Leader: The Spirit of God be alive in you.

People: The Spirit of God be alive in us all.

Hymn of Praise:   CH#4 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord, God Almighty    sts. 1,2,3

Lighting of the Candles
Children are welcome to come forward.
Leader:  In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Invocation & Lord's Prayer

Spirit…
promise in the water… 
rush in the wind… 
rhythm in the word… 
voice of the faith… 
silence in the horror… 
patience in the waiting… 
question in the wonder…
brightness in the sun… 
speed in the light… 
life in the resurrection… 

Come Spirit… 
bring us into renewal once more as we pray, Our Father,

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn: CH #259 Spirit of the Living God

Prayers of the People

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

Sermon

Communion Hymn: CH #494 They'll Know We Are Christians  ALL

 Invitation to Share in the Lord's Supper

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome
to share in communion & offering.

Words of Institution & Prayer for Bread and Cup

The Lord's Supper and Offering

Please come forward down the center aisle to partake of the elements.
Gifts, tithes and offerings may be placed in the basket on the table.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Celebration of Ministry: Faith Learning Design Team

Unison Prayer:
O God, your voice calls us to your teachings, your commandments. We hear you and we realize that things have changed, and they keep changing. Within your love, we realize that it's okay. We can live and thrive in change. Thank you for opening doors. Thank you for reassurance. Thank you for the promise of your blessings when we listen and respond. Guide us. Direct us. Open our ears to your voice. Breathe your inspiration and vision for Faith and Learning among our whole congregation. Amen.

Hymn of Invitation:  CH #442  We Are Walking

Blessing
Children are welcome to come forward.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!

           

10:40 AM Service Order

Gathering and Preparing for Worship

Opening Music: CH #259 Spirit of the Living God

Welcome & Announcements

Hymn of Praise:  CH#4 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord, God Almighty    sts. 1,2,3

Call to Worship

Leader: The Spirit of God be with you.

In the homes that shelter us and welcome strangers,

People: The Spirit of God dwell with you.

On this path where the footing is tricky,

Leader: The Spirit of God walk with you.

Through the mist with its disorienting shadows,

 

People: The Spirit of God gaze calmly with you.

At the table, whether crowded or quiet,

Leader: The Spirit of God sit with you.

No matter the turbulence or shifting ground,

People: The Spirit of God stand with you.

In every breath, in each wound & every exuberance,

Leader: The Spirit of God be alive in you.

People: The Spirit of God be alive in us all.

 

Invocation & Lord's Prayer

Spirit…
promise in the water… 
rush in the wind… 
rhythm in the word… 
voice of the faith… 
silence in the horror… 
patience in the waiting… 
question in the wonder…
brightness in the sun… 
speed in the light… 
life in the resurrection… 

Come Spirit…  
bring us into renewal once more as we pray, Our Father,

Turning to God in Prayer

Celebration of Ministry: Faith and Learning Design Team presents Survey

Unison Prayer:
O God, your voice calls us to your teachings, your commandments. We hear you and we realize that things have changed, and they keep changing. Within your love, we realize that it's okay. We can live and thrive in change. Thank you for opening doors. Thank you for reassurance. Thank you for the promise of your blessings when we listen and respond. Guide us. Direct us. Open our ears to your voice. Breathe your inspiration and vision for Faith and Learning among our whole congregation. Amen.

Children's Moment and Blessing

Prayer Hymn: CH #248 Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove    sts. 1 & 3

Prayers of the People

Contemplating God's Word

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

Choir Voluntary

Sermon

Sharing at the Lord's Table

Invitation to Communion

Christians of all denominations and backgrounds are welcome to share in communion. Please hold each element as we partake in unison.

Communion Hymn: CH #494 They'll Know We Are Christians  ALL

Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution

Call to Offering

Offertory

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Going Forth in Faith

Invitation to Discipleship

Hymn of Invitation: CH #442  We Are Walking

Benediction

Choral Response and Carrying Out of the Light

Postlude