September 24, 2017

THEME:Claim Your Place at the Table--Pull Up Your Chair and Dig In!

NOTES:Part three of three. We've looked at our relationship with God and our relationship with others at the table of love. How about the way we perceive ourselves? Are we confident that we have a place at the table? Are we still wondering if there will be a placecard with our name on it in the kingdom of God? The final piece of the puzzle is very simple: our presence. We show up and partake of all God has for us, with confidence. What God can do, God will do in us and with us and for us.



SCRIPTURE: Psalm 139:13-18

³ For it was you who formed my inward parts;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
    Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
¹⁵     My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
    all the days that were formed for me,
    when none of them as yet existed.
¹⁷ How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
    I come to the end^[a]—I am still with you.

8:30 AM Order of Service

The Gathering

Welcome  

The Table is Set                                                                              

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#562  "Because He Lives"   sts. 1 & 2

Call to Worship 
Leader: Come to the table where all are welcome!
People: Come to the table where love abounds!
 Leader: Don't be shy! Claim your place! Dig in!
People: We come with hungry hearts and a good appetite, ready to be filled!
Leader: We'll gather at this table with room for all!
People: Come! Claim your place at the table!
                                                  
Invocation                                                                     Unison    
O God of abundant grace,
Your love and mercy make a place for us 
here at your table. 
Your kindness makes our hearts ready to
take our place.
Your generosity inspires us to share your feast.
Thank you for meeting us here today!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
 

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture:                                              

Sermon/Meditation                    
                                       

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern                                        

Prayer Hymn:  CH#227  "In the Garden"  sts. 1 & 2

Praying Together      with  Response (on slide)

 

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

Prayer of Intercession:

In Gratitude to You, O Lord

God of the living,

with all Your creatures great and small

we sing Your bounty and Your goodness,

for in the harvest of land and ocean,

in the cycles of the seasons,

and the wonders of each creature,

You reveal Your generosity.

 

Teach us the gratitude that dispels envy,

that we may honor each gift as You cherish Your creation,

and praise You in all times and places. 

 

That this day may be holy, good and joyful: 

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

That we may offer to You our worship and praise along

with the work of our hands, minds and hearts:

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

That in the pleasures and pains of life,

we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:

we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

That we may be bound together by Your Holy Spirit,

in communion with all Your holy ones,

entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

That we may always and everywhere give thanks to You, O God,

for all of our blessings and giftedness:

God of life,

we pray in gratitude to You.

And as we claim our place at your table, O God, we do so with grateful praise. Make us ever aware of others who need to know they, too, have a place. And give us the confidence as children of your house, to claim our heritage and make them welcome. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

~ posted on the website of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table                        

Communion Hymn: CH#398 "Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread"  ALL

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#612 "O Jesus, I Have Promised"  sts. 1 & 3

Blessing                                                                      

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 

The Table is Set     

Prelude                                                                     

We Gather in the Light of Christ

Call to Worship
Leader: Come to the table where all are welcome!
People: Come to the table where love abounds!
 Leader: Don't be shy! Claim your place! Dig in!
People: We come with hungry hearts and a good appetite, ready to be filled!
Leader: We'll gather at this table with room for all!
People: Come! Claim your place at the table!
                                                           
Hymn of Praise:CH#562  "Because He Lives"   sts. 1 & 2

The Acolytes light the Christ candles.

 
Invocation                                                                     Unison    
O God of abundant grace,
Your love and mercy make a place for us 
here at your table. 
Your kindness makes our hearts ready to
take our place.
Your generosity inspires us to share your feast.
Thank you for meeting us here today!
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.   
   

Hymn of Faith: Worship & Song (Green) #3026 "God is Good"    ALL

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     UNISON

God, we meet you again at your table,
We give these offerings in gratitude,
rejoicing in the abundance of your gifts to us.
We give these offerings in faith,
trusting that you will provide for our needs.
We give these offerings in hope,
knowing you can use them to spread your love in this world.
And with these offerings, we give ourselves;
May we live with generous hearts, true children of your table. Amen

~ written by Joanna Harader,

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture                                                                     

  

Anthem

Children’s Sermon                                                       

Sermon/Meditation                                                           

We Prayer Together

We Share Our Joys & Concerns                                        

Prayer Hymn: Maranatha #238 "Oh How He Loves You and Me"  ALL

Praying Together 
                                                            

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#408  "Come Share the Lord"  ALL

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#344 "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"  sts. 1 & 2

Acolytes come forward.

Blessing                                                                          

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!
 

Parting Song: CH #433 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds"      st. 1

September 17, 2017

THEME: Claim Your Place at the Table: Bring a Friend and Pull Up a Chair

NOTES:Part two of three. The nature of God's love and grace is that there is always room to include someone new. When we open our hearts to make space for a new friend, we find the riches of God's table rise to meet the need. Our love of our neighbor doesn't shrink the feast! Rather, God's kingdom grows!



SCRIPTURE: I Kings 17:8-16

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ⁹ “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” ¹⁰ So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” ¹¹ As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” ¹² But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” ¹³ Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” ¹⁵ She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶ The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

8:30 AM Order of Service

The Gathering

Welcome 

The Table is Set                                                                               

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: Great Hymns of Faith #420 "Bringing in the Sheaves"  sts. 1 & 2

Call to Worship  
Leader: Come to the table where all are welcome!
People: Come to the table where love abounds! 
Leader: Pull up a chair and make room for more.
People:We will all sit a little closer to welcome a new friend!
Leader: We'll gather at this table with room for all!
People: Come! Claim your place at the table!
                                                  
Invocation                                                                     Unison    
O God of abundant grace,
Your love and mercy make a place for us 
here at your table. 
Your kindness makes our hearts ready to
take our place.
Your generosity inspires us to share your feast.
Thank you for meeting us here today!
In Jesus' name, Amen.      
 

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture:                                              

Sermon/Meditation                    
                                       

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern                                        

Prayer Hymn: CH#608 "I Would Be True"     ALL

Praying Together       

Prayer for Others

(inspired by Matthew 5: 13-16)

There is no part of life

you do not touch, O God,

infusing your rich fragrance— gritty and real—

getting in underneath the surface,

drawing out and lifting up winding love around

until defences are lowered, barriers broken down

and the power of your love reveals the beauty

you intended for all your children.

May our actions draw attention to you,

to the richness you bring to all life

and the abundance you share,

setting the scene for us to share too.

Help us to bring light

into all the darkness of life, spreading hope for a better world,

a world where justice is made real by your children living together

in harmony.

Help us to bring salt

into the blandness of life,

encouraging vitality and joy in living

in a world that dares to hope

for the future that you promise

where all your children will know themselves

loved and valued

and treasured,

created in your image,

bringing you glory forever.

Amen.

~ written by Rev Liz Crumlish,

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table                        

Communion Hymn: Great Hymns of Faith #204 "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"  sts. 1 & 3

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:  Great Hymns of Faith #424 "Send the Light"  sts. 1 & 3

Blessing                                                                      

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

The Table is Set      

Prelude                                                                     

We Gather in the Light of Christ

Call to Worship
Leader: Come to the table where all are welcome!
People: Come to the table where love abounds! 
Leader: Pull up a chair and make room for more.
People:We will all sit a little closer to welcome a new friend!
Leader: We'll gather at this table with room for all!
People: Come! Claim your place at the table!
                                                 
                                                           
Hymn of Praise:CH#422 "Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ"     ALL

The Acolytes light the Christ candles.

 
Invocation                                                                     Unison    
O God of abundant grace,
Your love and mercy make a place for us 
here at your table. 
Your kindness makes our hearts ready to
take our place.
Your generosity inspires us to share your feast.
Thank you for meeting us here today!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
 

Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.   
   

Hymn of Faith: CH#38 "Clap Your Hands"  

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     UNISON

God, we meet you again at your table,
We give these offerings in gratitude,
rejoicing in the abundance of your gifts to us.
We give these offerings in faith,
trusting that you will provide for our needs.
We give these offerings in hope,
knowing you can use them to spread your love in this world.
And with these offerings, we give ourselves;
May we live with generous hearts, true children of your table. Amen

~ written by Joanna Harader,

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture                                                                     

  

Anthem

Children’s Sermon                                                       

Sermon/Meditation                                                           

We Prayer Together

We Share Our Joys & Concerns                                        

Prayer Hymn: CH #452 "Here I Am, Lord"  sts. 1 & 3

Praying Together 
                                                            

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#395 "Seed, Scattered and Sown"     sts. 1 & 3

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# 477 "Pass It On"  sts. 1 & 3

Acolytes come forward.

Blessing                                                                          

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!
 

Parting Song: CH #433 "Blest Be the Tie that Binds"      st. 1