NOTES: An interesting point of today's text is that it considers how faith affects the way we make use of our time. Do we while it away on experiences with no lasting value. But the most intriguing aspect of the writer's advice is this - there is a deep and abiding value in the poetry of faith. The psalms, the prayers, the hymns, the spiritual songs. These are set in contrast to the excess of drunkenness and debauchery. We ponder what those songs must have meant to the writer. We consider, what are the wise investments we make with our time? What do we waste it on? And finally, what does that say about our faith?
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:15-20
5:15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,
5:16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
5:17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
5:18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,
5:19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.
5:20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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:#609 "Take My Life" (verses 1, 3, & 5)
Call to Worship
Leader: Give thanks to God!
People: We thank God for joy, for laughter,
for abundant blessings of every kind.
Leader: Give thanks to God
at all times and for everything!
People: We thank God, when we can and as we can,
for struggles, for solitude, for fears.
Leader: Give thanks to God
at all times and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: We thank God that, in Christ,
all the moments of life
are in God's heart and hands.
~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
Invocation (UNISON)
Holy God, all-knowing
Creator,
we praise
you for the wisdom, power, and love
displayed
in all creation.
Jesus Christ, light of
the world, we praise you for being the eternal truth.
Holy Spirit, revealer
of the deep things of God,
we praise
you for your gifts of awe and wonder
which
lead us on the path of true wisdom.
Hear our praises today and stir in us the desire to walk more closely with you. Amen.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Sermon
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn:#254 "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" (verses 1, 2, & 3
Praying Together
Prayers of the People
(inspired by I Kings 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20)
Eternal
God, we thank you today for your goodness. You have given us beautiful
days. You bless us richly with goodness daily. We thank you and praise
you.
We live in a time of considerable confusion. We ask today for your wisdom as Solomon asked for wisdom.
We
are often fearful as was Solomon. Help us, O God, to pray for wise and discerning spirits.
• Give us wisdom to know good from evil.
• Give us wisdom to assess the clamoring voices and concerns with which we are daily bombarded.
• Give us wisdom so that we might learn to be accepting of all the diverse people you have created.
• Give us wisdom to be peacemakers and mediators of understanding where there is conflict.
• Give us wisdom when we are in conflict to make it possible both for us and for those with whom we differ to save face and move forward hand in hand.
• Give us wisdom not to violate any of your creatures by discriminating against them.
• Give us wisdom to discern what is of ultimate value for our souls and to make wise choices.
O God, give us wisdom.
• Give us wisdom to know good from evil.
• Give us wisdom to assess the clamoring voices and concerns with which we are daily bombarded.
• Give us wisdom so that we might learn to be accepting of all the diverse people you have created.
• Give us wisdom to be peacemakers and mediators of understanding where there is conflict.
• Give us wisdom when we are in conflict to make it possible both for us and for those with whom we differ to save face and move forward hand in hand.
• Give us wisdom not to violate any of your creatures by discriminating against them.
• Give us wisdom to discern what is of ultimate value for our souls and to make wise choices.
O God, give us wisdom.
O God, give us discernment.
O God, give us the will to be faithful.
O God, give us the power to love. Amen.
~ written by Richard Einerson, and posted on Richard J. Einerson: Prayers of the People. http://www.richardeinerson.com/
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#259 "Spirit of the Living God" (sing twice)
Communion Hymn#259 "Spirit of the Living God" (sing twice)
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
Discipleship Hymn#557 "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" (verses 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
Leader: Give thanks to God!
People: We thank God for joy, for laughter,
for abundant blessings of every kind.
Leader: Give thanks to God
at all times and for everything!
People: We thank God, when we can and as we can,
for struggles, for solitude, for fears.
Leader: Give thanks to God
at all times and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: We thank God that, in Christ,
all the moments of life
are in God's heart and hands.
~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
Hymn of Praise:#609 "Take My Life" (stanzas 1, 3, & 5)
Invocation (UNISON)
Holy God, all-knowing
Creator,
we praise
you for the wisdom, power, and love
displayed
in all creation.
Jesus Christ, light of
the world, we praise you for being the eternal truth.
Holy Spirit, revealer
of the deep things of God,
we praise
you for your gifts of awe and wonder
which
lead us on the path of true wisdom.
Hear our praises today and stir in us the desire to walk more closely with you. Amen.Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith:#77 " On Eagles Wings" (stanzas 1, 2, & 4)
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture
Anthem
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
We Prayer Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concerns
Prayer Hymn:#254 "Breathe On Me, Breath of God" (stanzas 1, 2, & 3)
Praying Together
Prayers of the People
(inspired by I Kings 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20)
Eternal
God, we thank you today for your goodness. You have given us beautiful
days. You bless us richly with goodness daily. We thank you and praise
you.
We live in a time of considerable confusion. We ask today for your wisdom as Solomon asked for wisdom.
We
are often fearful as was Solomon. Help us, O God, to pray for wise and discerning spirits.
• Give us wisdom to know good from evil.
• Give us wisdom to assess the clamoring voices and concerns with which we are daily bombarded.
• Give us wisdom so that we might learn to be accepting of all the diverse people you have created.
• Give us wisdom to be peacemakers and mediators of understanding where there is conflict.
• Give us wisdom when we are in conflict to make it possible both for us and for those with whom we differ to save face and move forward hand in hand.
• Give us wisdom not to violate any of your creatures by discriminating against them.
• Give us wisdom to discern what is of ultimate value for our souls and to make wise choices.
O God, give us wisdom.
• Give us wisdom to know good from evil.
• Give us wisdom to assess the clamoring voices and concerns with which we are daily bombarded.
• Give us wisdom so that we might learn to be accepting of all the diverse people you have created.
• Give us wisdom to be peacemakers and mediators of understanding where there is conflict.
• Give us wisdom when we are in conflict to make it possible both for us and for those with whom we differ to save face and move forward hand in hand.
• Give us wisdom not to violate any of your creatures by discriminating against them.
• Give us wisdom to discern what is of ultimate value for our souls and to make wise choices.
O God, give us wisdom.
O God, give us discernment.
O God, give us the will to be faithful.
O God, give us the power to love. Amen.
~ written by Richard Einerson, and posted on Richard J. Einerson: Prayers of the People. http://www.richardeinerson.com/
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn #259 "Spirit of the Living God" (sing twice)
Communion Hymn #259 "Spirit of the Living God" (sing twice)
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
Discipleship Hymn:#557 "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (stanzas 1 & 2)
Discipleship Hymn:#557 "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (stanzas 1 & 2)
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song:"Love this World Through Me"
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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