NOTES: An inspiring poem to ponder as we think about life as the Spirit-Gifted Body of Christ.
Blessing That Does Not End
From the moment it first laid eyes
on you,
this blessing loved you.
on you,
this blessing loved you.
This blessing
knew you
from the start.
knew you
from the start.
It cannot explain how.
It just knows
that the first time
it sat down beside you,
it entered into a conversation
that had already been going on
forever.
that the first time
it sat down beside you,
it entered into a conversation
that had already been going on
forever.
Believe this conversation
has not stopped.
has not stopped.
Believe this love
still lives—
the love that crossed
an impossible distance
to reach you,
to find you,
to take your face
into its hands
and bless you.
still lives—
the love that crossed
an impossible distance
to reach you,
to find you,
to take your face
into its hands
and bless you.
Believe this
does not end—
that the gesture,
once enacted,
endures.
does not end—
that the gesture,
once enacted,
endures.
Believe this love
goes on—
that it still
takes your face
into its hands,
that it presses
its forehead to yours
as it speaks to you
in undying words,
that it has never ceased
to gather your heart
into its heart.
goes on—
that it still
takes your face
into its hands,
that it presses
its forehead to yours
as it speaks to you
in undying words,
that it has never ceased
to gather your heart
into its heart.
Believe this blessing
abides.
Believe it goes with you
always.
Believe it knows you
still.
—Jan Richardson, http://paintedprayerbook.com/ abides.
Believe it goes with you
always.
Believe it knows you
still.
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:1-16
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.8:30 AM Order of Service
The Gathering
Welcome
Prelude
We Gather in The Light of Christ
Lighting the Christ Candles
Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
Hymn of Praise: CH#276 "We Gather Together" ALL
Call to Worship
Leader: To lead the life worthy of the calling
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's people.
Leader: To lead a life filled with service and meekness:
People: We build up Christ's Body with patience and love.
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's people.
Leader: To lead a life filled with service and meekness:
People: We build up Christ's Body with patience and love.
Leader: To lead a life of peace grounded in the Spirit:
We share the grace offered to us.
We share the grace offered to us.
Leader: To live a life worthy of the calling
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's family
at the Table prepared for us,
waiting to be fed by the Bread of life.
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's family
at the Table prepared for us,
waiting to be fed by the Bread of life.
Invocation Unison
O God, Creator, Savior and Spirit of Life,
take this patchwork collection of persons
and quilt together your church.
Like pieces of cloth,
take our words and songs and prayers,
take our thoughts and inner hungers,
and join them all together into a new and living fabric—
the purpose of which is to cover and color our corner of your world
with grace and love. In Christ. Amen.
~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture:
Sermon/Meditation
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn: CH#602 "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee" sts. 1,3 & 4
Praying Together
Here's a sample themed prayer:
O Holy God, as we draw near you in prayer, and nearer to each other in this circle of grace, let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus. He knew his value in Your eyes. He did not make too much, or too little of himself. He approached you humbly and boldly, knowing that you loved him and through him, loved us all. Draw us still closer as we pray in his name...
Those we live with,
those we rub shoulders with,
those we work with,
those we don't get along with,hear us as we voice the prayers of our hearts
Those who laugh,
those who cry,
those who hurt ,
those who hide,hear us as we see the prayers of our hearts
Prayers centered less on ourselves
and more on others,
less on our circumstances and
more on the needs of others.
May our life together be centered
more on You,
and through You to the world
in which we live and move.
Here's a sample themed prayer:
O Holy God, as we draw near you in prayer, and nearer to each other in this circle of grace, let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus. He knew his value in Your eyes. He did not make too much, or too little of himself. He approached you humbly and boldly, knowing that you loved him and through him, loved us all. Draw us still closer as we pray in his name...
This world we live in,
this town we live in,
this street we live on,
this house we live in,
hear us as we focus the prayers of our hearts
this town we live in,
this street we live on,
this house we live in,
hear us as we focus the prayers of our hearts
(moment of silence, count to 10)
Those we live with,
those we rub shoulders with,
those we work with,
those we don't get along with,hear us as we voice the prayers of our hearts
(moment of silence, count to 10)
Those who laugh,
those who cry,
those who hurt ,
those who hide,hear us as we see the prayers of our hearts
(moment of silence, count to 10)
Prayers centered less on ourselves
and more on others,
less on our circumstances and
more on the needs of others.
May our life together be centered
more on You,
and through You to the world
in which we live and move.
—Copyright © John Birch, posted on Faith and Worship - Prayers and Resources
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn:CH#420 "I Come with Joy" 1,2, & 4
Communion Hymn:CH#420 "I Come with Joy" 1,2, & 4
The Elder’s Prayer of
Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper
All are welcome to share at the
Table. Come forward using the center
aisle. As you partake of the bread and
the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the
table. The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Hymn of Discipleship: CH#453 "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" sts. 1 & 2
Blessing
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
People: Amen!
10:40AM Service
Welcome
Prelude
Prelude
We Gather in the Light of Christ
Call to Worship
~ Adapted from a piece written by Thom Shuman
Hymn of Praise: CH#276 "We Gather Together" ALL
Invocation Unison
O God, Creator, Savior and Spirit of Life,
Passing of the Peace
Call to Offering
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
Leader: To lead the life worthy of the calling
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's people.
Leader: To lead a life filled with service and meekness:
People: We build up Christ's Body with patience and love.
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's people.
Leader: To lead a life filled with service and meekness:
People: We build up Christ's Body with patience and love.
Leader: To lead a life of peace grounded in the Spirit:
We share the grace offered to us.
We share the grace offered to us.
Leader: To live a life worthy of the calling
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's family
at the Table prepared for us,
waiting to be fed by the Bread of life.
to which we are called:
People: We gather as God's family
at the Table prepared for us,
waiting to be fed by the Bread of life.
Hymn of Praise: CH#276 "We Gather Together" ALL
The Acolytes light the Christ candles.
Invocation Unison
O God, Creator, Savior and Spirit of Life,
take this patchwork collection of persons
and quilt together your church.
Like pieces of cloth,
take our words and songs and prayers,
take our thoughts and inner hungers,
and join them all together into a new and living fabric—
the purpose of which is to cover and color our corner of your world
with grace and love. In Christ. Amen.
~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith: CH # 495 "Weave" Sing Twice
We Offer Our Hearts to God
Call to Offering
The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
Offertory
Doxology CH #46
Prayer of Dedication
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Anthem
Children’s Sermon
Sermon/Meditation
We Prayer Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concerns
Prayer Hymn: CH#602 "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee" sts. 1,3 & 4
Praying Together
Here's a sample themed prayer:
O Holy God, as we draw near you in prayer, and nearer to each other in this circle of grace, let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus. He knew his value in Your eyes. He did not make too much, or too little of himself. He approached you humbly and boldly, knowing that you loved him and through him, loved us all. Draw us still closer as we pray in his name...
Those we live with,
those we rub shoulders with,
those we work with,
those we don't get along with,hear us as we voice the prayers of our hearts
Those who laugh,
those who cry,
those who hurt ,
those who hide,hear us as we see the prayers of our hearts
Prayers centered less on ourselves
and more on others,
less on our circumstances and
more on the needs of others.
May our life together be centered
more on You,
and through You to the world
in which we live and move.
Here's a sample themed prayer:
O Holy God, as we draw near you in prayer, and nearer to each other in this circle of grace, let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus. He knew his value in Your eyes. He did not make too much, or too little of himself. He approached you humbly and boldly, knowing that you loved him and through him, loved us all. Draw us still closer as we pray in his name...
This world we live in,
this town we live in,
this street we live on,
this house we live in,
hear us as we focus the prayers of our hearts
this town we live in,
this street we live on,
this house we live in,
hear us as we focus the prayers of our hearts
(moment of silence, count to 10)
Those we live with,
those we rub shoulders with,
those we work with,
those we don't get along with,hear us as we voice the prayers of our hearts
(moment of silence, count to 10)
Those who laugh,
those who cry,
those who hurt ,
those who hide,hear us as we see the prayers of our hearts
(moment of silence, count to 10)
Prayers centered less on ourselves
and more on others,
less on our circumstances and
more on the needs of others.
May our life together be centered
more on You,
and through You to the world
in which we live and move.
—Copyright © John Birch, posted on Faith and Worship - Prayers and Resources
We Gather 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#420 "I Come with Joy" 1,2, & 4
Prayers for Bread & Cup and Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Hymn of Discipleship: CH#453 "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" sts. 1 & 2
Hymn of Discipleship: CH#453 "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" sts. 1 & 2
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song: CH#494 "They'll Know We Are Christians" st. 1
Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
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!
People: Amen!
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