June 30, 2019

THEME: The Freedom to Grow and Bear Fruit

NOTES:

Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
 ¹ For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;^[a] only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,^[b] but through love become slaves to one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
¹⁶ Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy,^[c] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.



8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#17 "O Worship the King" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Call to Worship
Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to encounter the Living Christ.
People: With bright eyes, let us search.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to understand the Living Christ.
People: With engaged minds, let us ponder.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to be moved by the Living Christ.
People: With compassionate hearts, let us feel.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to respond to the Living Christ.
People: With solid devotion, let us follow.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to serve the Living Christ.
People: With humble intention, let us act.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to praise the Living Christ.
People: With strong voices, let us sing.

— written by Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson on her blog, Freshly Squeezed Liturgy.  http://freshlysqueezedliturgy.blogspot.com/
Invocation
God, of love and life, in this moment of prayer
be more and more in us
that we might live more and more in you. Amen.

— written by the Rev. Madison Shockley, pastor of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA.

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#557 "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (all verses)
Praying Together
Lord our God,
we Your people come to You this day
fully aware that we need your presence and your help in our lives,
yet aware as well that we often fail to stop and to turn to you for that help. 
We strive to be loving, we seek joy and peace,
we desire to be gentle and patient and kind,
to show goodness, and to have self-control—
and yet these things all too often elude us.  
Help us, Lord, to root ourselves more deeply in you;
to seek your will for our lives;
to stop and to listen for your voice when we are troubled;
to fully rely on you  when we strive to do what is right;
to remember you and trust in you when we are assaulted;
to meditate on your goodness and your gracious will when we begin each day—
so that like trees by a stream which send down their roots to the water,
we may produce by your power the fruit of your Spirit.

Gracious God,
we remember the concerns and prayers
that have been lifted up this past week
by members of this congregation and our community—
concerns and prayers that we now pray for with them in the silence of our hearts.

(PAUSE)

We pray too, O Lord,
for those who come fresh to our minds and hearts this day:
perhaps a family member we have prayed for over many weeks or years,
or a friend who is struggling to find meaning in his life,
an acquaintance who needs healing,
a stranger who needs the comfort of your Spirit as they grieve.
Lord, hear now your people as they pray
and name those names, those concerns, before you.

Thank you, Lord, for being our God and making us your people. 
Thank you for growing in us and for helping us to grow.  
Thank you for the ministry you entrust to us.  
May your will be done in us and by us,
both now and forevermore.  Amen.

~ from the Kir-shalom website. http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-or13su.php

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#714 "For the Fruit of All Creation" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#602 "O Master Let Me Walk With Thee" ( verses 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to encounter the Living Christ.
People: With bright eyes, let us search.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to understand the Living Christ.
People: With engaged minds, let us ponder.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to be moved by the Living Christ.
People: With compassionate hearts, let us feel.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to respond to the Living Christ.
People: With solid devotion, let us follow.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to serve the Living Christ.
People: With humble intention, let us act.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to praise the Living Christ.
People: With strong voices, let us sing.

— written by Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson on her blog, Freshly Squeezed Liturgy.  http://freshlysqueezedliturgy.blogspot.com/ 
 
Praise Hymn#17 "O Worship the King" (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation 
God, of love and life, in this moment of prayer
be more and more in us
that we might live more and more in you. Amen.

— written by the Rev. Madison Shockley, pastor of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA. 

Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn#344 "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (verses 1, 3, & 4)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#557 "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (all verses)
Praying Together
Lord our God,
we Your people come to You this day
fully aware that we need your presence and your help in our lives,
yet aware as well that we often fail to stop and to turn to you for that help. 
We strive to be loving, we seek joy and peace,
we desire to be gentle and patient and kind,
to show goodness, and to have self-control—
and yet these things all too often elude us.  
Help us, Lord, to root ourselves more deeply in you;
to seek your will for our lives;
to stop and to listen for your voice when we are troubled;
to fully rely on you  when we strive to do what is right;
to remember you and trust in you when we are assaulted;
to meditate on your goodness and your gracious will when we begin each day—
so that like trees by a stream which send down their roots to the water,
we may produce by your power the fruit of your Spirit.

Gracious God,
we remember the concerns and prayers
that have been lifted up this past week
by members of this congregation and our community—
concerns and prayers that we now pray for with them in the silence of our hearts.

(PAUSE)

We pray too, O Lord,
for those who come fresh to our minds and hearts this day:
perhaps a family member we have prayed for over many weeks or years,
or a friend who is struggling to find meaning in his life,
an acquaintance who needs healing,
a stranger who needs the comfort of your Spirit as they grieve.
Lord, hear now your people as they pray
and name those names, those concerns, before you.

Thank you, Lord, for being our God and making us your people. 
Thank you for growing in us and for helping us to grow.  
Thank you for the ministry you entrust to us.  
May your will be done in us and by us,
both now and forevermore.  Amen.

~ from the Kir-shalom website. http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-or13su.php

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#714 "For the Fruit of All Creation" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#602 "O Master Let Me Walk With Thee" ( verses 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #477 "Pass it On" (verse 1 )

June 23, 2019

THEME: The Power of God to Transform

NOTES:

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39
²⁶ Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes,^[a] which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn^[b] no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— ²⁹ for Jesus^[c] had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) ³⁰ Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. ³¹ They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
³² Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons^[d] begged Jesus^[e] to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. ³³ Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
³⁴ When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. ³⁷ Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes^[f] asked Jesus^[g] to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. ³⁸ The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus^[h] sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.


8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#99 "O How I Love Jesus" (verses 1 & 3)

Call to Worship
Leader: We hear the voice of God calling,
People: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Leader: We feel the Spirit moving among us,
People: moving us to acts of compassion and justice.
Leader: We know the love of Jesus.
People: We love because Christ first loved us.
Leader: Come, worship God together.
People: Come, let us serve our God, who calls us by name.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/


Invocation
God, our salvation, guiding us out of the darkness of the world.
As trees stretch towards the sun, we seek your healing light.
You are our salvation when we hunger for direction and meaning.
As branches bear fruit, your word feeds our souls.
We lay down the burdens of your days.
We rest in the garden of Your reconciling love.

~ written by Gill Le Fevre

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#349 "My Jesus, I Love Thee" (verses 1 & 3)
Praying Together
Prayer
(inspired by Matthew 28:16-20)

Out of our ordinary, everyday lives,
you have gathered us here, Holy God,
to this time of worship,
to this time of praise.

We join with angels and archangels
and all the company of the saints
to bless you,
to listen for your Word,
to immerse ourselves in your grace,
in your love.

Open our eyes,
our hearts,
our minds
to your presence with us.

Take the chaos of the world
that has found its way into our hearts —
speak your Word
and give order and form and new creation.

Take the failures and defeats,
the guilt and the shame
that bind our spirits —
speak your Word
and set us free.

Take our longings for your goodness
to shape our lives, this community,
the hurting world —
speak your Word
and infuse us with
your courage and
your hope and
your love.

Then, awaken us to your Holy Spirit
who is making all things new,
even us.

We ask in Jesus’ name
who sends us out to speak
love and mercy and grace
to those who are waiting
longing
hoping
for a sign
that they are not alone,
that you are a God of love,
that you are a Saviour who knows their name,
that the Holy Spirit is leading them home.

Amen.

~ posted on Christine Jerrett. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#354 "Seek Ye First"(all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn"This Is My Commandment" (sing once)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: We hear the voice of God calling,
People: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Leader: We feel the Spirit moving among us,
People: moving us to acts of compassion and justice.
Leader: We know the love of Jesus.
People: We love because Christ first loved us.
Leader: Come, worship God together.
People: Come, let us serve our God, who calls us by name.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/
Praise Hymn#99 "O How I Love Jesus" (verses 1 & 3)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
God, our salvation, guiding us out of the darkness of the world.
As trees stretch towards the sun, we seek your healing light.
You are our salvation when we hunger for direction and meaning.
As branches bear fruit, your word feeds our souls.
We lay down the burdens of your days.
We rest in the garden of Your reconciling love.

~ written by Gill Le Fevre
 
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn "Thy Word" all verses

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#349 "My Jesus, I Love Thee" (verses 1 & 3)
Praying Together
Prayer
(inspired by Matthew 28:16-20)

Out of our ordinary, everyday lives,
you have gathered us here, Holy God,
to this time of worship,
to this time of praise.

We join with angels and archangels
and all the company of the saints
to bless you,
to listen for your Word,
to immerse ourselves in your grace,
in your love.

Open our eyes,
our hearts,
our minds
to your presence with us.

Take the chaos of the world
that has found its way into our hearts —
speak your Word
and give order and form and new creation.

Take the failures and defeats,
the guilt and the shame
that bind our spirits —
speak your Word
and set us free.

Take our longings for your goodness
to shape our lives, this community,
the hurting world —
speak your Word
and infuse us with
your courage and
your hope and
your love.

Then, awaken us to your Holy Spirit
who is making all things new,
even us.

We ask in Jesus’ name
who sends us out to speak
love and mercy and grace
to those who are waiting
longing
hoping
for a sign
that they are not alone,
that you are a God of love,
that you are a Saviour who knows their name,
that the Holy Spirit is leading them home.

Amen.

~ posted on Christine Jerrett. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#354 "Seek Ye First"(all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn "This Is My Commandment" (sing once)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #477 "Pass it On" (verse )

June 16, 2019 Father's Day

THEME:Waiting on Wisdom

NOTES:

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and Romans 5:1-5

Does not wisdom call,
    and does not understanding raise her voice?
² On the heights, beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³ beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
⁴ “To you, O people, I call,
    and my cry is to all that live.

The Lord created me at the beginning^[a] of his work,^[b]
    the first of his acts of long ago.
²³ Ages ago I was set up,
    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
²⁴ When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
²⁵ Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth—
²⁶ when he had not yet made earth and fields,^[c]
    or the world’s first bits of soil.
²⁷ When he established the heavens, I was there,
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
²⁹ when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
³⁰     then I was beside him, like a master worker;^[d]
and I was daily his^[e] delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
³¹ rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the human race.

 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have obtained access^[b] to this grace in which we stand; and we^[c] boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we^[d] also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#2 "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (verses 1, 3, & 4)
Call to Worship
Leader: Listen! Wisdom is calling!
Before anything began:
People: God, Word, and Wisdom
Creating, calling life
from the fountains of the deep.

Leader: Listen! Wisdom is calling!
From the mountain tops:
People: Earth, fields and sea
Created, called
From the foundations of the deep.

Leader: Listen! Wisdom is calling!
Daily, God’s delight
People: You, me, every one
Given hope, grace, love
As the foundation of our lives.

— written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/
 
Invocation
Loving God - Our Creator, Our Savior and Our Comforter,
we are limited in our understanding of you,
but we know that you care for us and for all creation.

Warm our hearts and unite us,
that we might open our lives to you
to accept all your love and to respond to it
by entrusting ourselves to you
with all that you have made us and given us.

Loving God, Our Creator, Our Savior and Our Comforter, we give you all our praise. Amen.

~ Originally from Claretian Publications, but posted on the http://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/ website.

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#575 "Come  and Find the Quiet Center"(all verses)
Praying Together
We join our hands in this family circle, Lord,
   and raise our voices in thanks to You.
Because of Your great love, we know the love
   of parents, child, brothers, sisters.

We thank you for fathers near
Fathers with strong arms
And fathers with feeble knees
Present at table and at bathtub and at bedtime for prayers.
Thank you, God, for fathers near.

We thank you, O God, for fathers far away
Fathers who ache for their families
Fathers absent because of war,
Or disease,
Or despair,
Fathers who are present and absent at the same time.
Thank you, God, for fathers far away.

We thank you, O God, for caring communities
Where mothers fill in for fathers
And fathers fill in for mothers
And grandparents put on the apron and the towel to serve.
Where aunts and uncles, and those who are absolutely no kin at all
Make our communities a home fit for habitation.

O Lord, you have done great wonders in the world,
   yet You hear the prayers of each of us,
      small as we are. Your understanding is beyond our imagination,
   but You care enough to listen to us,
      and You understand our hurts and fears.

You have even provided a wonderful future for us,
   a future free from fear or pain or worry
      where we will live with You forever,
         together in the oneness of Your love.

We give thanks to You, the God of heaven,
   our Father whose love endures forever.

— a fusion of prayers written by Pamela J. Kennedy, based on Psalm 136.  From Songs from a Mother’s Heart: Meditations on the Psalms, Concordia Publishing House, 1997 and Safijah Fosua.  Used by permission. Posted on the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Discipleship website. 

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#425 "Let Us Break Bread Together" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#59"This is My Father's World"(all verses)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: Listen! Wisdom is calling!
Before anything began:
People: God, Word, and Wisdom
Creating, calling life
from the fountains of the deep.

Leader: Listen! Wisdom is calling!
From the mountain tops:
People: Earth, fields and sea
Created, called
From the foundations of the deep.

Leader: Listen! Wisdom is calling!
Daily, God’s delight
People: You, me, every one
Given hope, grace, love
As the foundation of our lives.

— written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/
Praise Hymn#2 "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (verses 1, 3, & 4)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
Loving God - Our Creator, Our Savior and Our Comforter,
we are limited in our understanding of you,
but we know that you care for us and for all creation.

Warm our hearts and unite us,
that we might open our lives to you
to accept all your love and to respond to it
by entrusting ourselves to you
with all that you have made us and given us.

Loving God, Our Creator, Our Savior and Our Comforter, we give you all our praise. Amen.

~ Originally from Claretian Publications, but posted on the http://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/ website.
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn#295 "In this Very Room" (verses 1 & 2) 

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#575 "Come  and Find the Quiet Center"(all verses)
Praying Together
We join our hands in this family circle, Lord,
   and raise our voices in thanks to You.
Because of Your great love, we know the love
   of parents, child, brothers, sisters.

We thank you for fathers near
Fathers with strong arms
And fathers with feeble knees
Present at table and at bathtub and at bedtime for prayers.
Thank you, God, for fathers near.

We thank you, O God, for fathers far away
Fathers who ache for their families
Fathers absent because of war,
Or disease,
Or despair,
Fathers who are present and absent at the same time.
Thank you, God, for fathers far away.

We thank you, O God, for caring communities
Where mothers fill in for fathers
And fathers fill in for mothers
And grandparents put on the apron and the towel to serve.
Where aunts and uncles, and those who are absolutely no kin at all
Make our communities a home fit for habitation.

O Lord, you have done great wonders in the world,
   yet You hear the prayers of each of us,
      small as we are. Your understanding is beyond our imagination,
   but You care enough to listen to us,
      and You understand our hurts and fears.

You have even provided a wonderful future for us,
   a future free from fear or pain or worry
      where we will live with You forever,
         together in the oneness of Your love.

We give thanks to You, the God of heaven,
   our Father whose love endures forever.

— a fusion of prayers written by Pamela J. Kennedy, based on Psalm 136.  From Songs from a Mother’s Heart: Meditations on the Psalms, Concordia Publishing House, 1997 and Safijah Fosua.  Used by permission. Posted on the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Discipleship website. 

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#425 "Let Us Break Bread Together" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#59"This is My Father's World"(all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn#477 "Pass it On" (verse 1) 

June 9, 2019 Pentecost

THEME: Pentecost - Like a Fire, Like a Wind, Like a Dove

NOTES: Here's a Pentecost Poem from the Words for Worship Website. It is a poem written by Andrew King, a minister in the United Church of Canada. King has challenged himself this year to do a poem a week on the Sunday lectionary texts. The poem places the sights and sounds of Pentecost in context of our own experiences of sound and feeling by focusing on the wind. This sweeping breath of God which filled the lungs and the sails of the ancient Christians, breathes among us now. Let us ponder what it means for us to breathe deeply and set sail, to be inspired by God's Holy Spirit today.

SUDDENLY THERE CAME A SOUND. . .
(Acts 2:1-21)
It was one of those days where

leaves are thrashed

from tree branches writhing

under a racing sky,

and my childhood friend playing

outdoors with me wondered:

does the wind
ever stop blowing?
And does it stop somewhere, he asked again,

or just keep going around and around the world?
Back then I said I didn’t know

but now I know there came a day

when a wind began in a certain house

that filled with a light like flame,
and that wind had the roar of justice,

and that wind had the rush of love,

and that wind had the whisper of peace and compassion,

and it carried the words of hope and joy

to an anxious and needy world,
and it was gentle enough to touch the wounded soul

and strong enough to stir the ever seeking hearts

of women and men, young and old,

from city to distant shores,
and it pulled down walls of distrust and fear

and threw open doors of possibility,

and oaks of hatred have bent in its path

and palisades of pain have fallen to its strength

and new life has spread like scattered seed
and yes, my friend, that wind

circles the world

and no,

it has never stopped blowing.

Copyright 2016 Andrew King

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
⁵ Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. ⁶ And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. ⁷ Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” ¹² All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. ¹⁵ Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
        and they shall prophesy.
¹⁹ And I will show portents in the heaven above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
²⁰ The sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
²¹ Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn#267 "Blessed Quietness" (verses 1, 3, & 4)
 
Call to Worship

One:    Let us give a thoughtful response 
            to this day’s call to worship.
            For today we ask God’s Spirit to fill us,
            that we may prophesy,
            and dream dreams, and see visions.
            The call to worship today
            is a summons to be touched by holy fire.

All:      Even now the flames may dance above our heads,

One:    Igniting passions and inspiring thoughts
           that can blaze into commitment.

All:      Even now the flames may be burning into our hearts,

One:    animating us,
            leaving us no peace as individuals or as a community
            until God’s justice and peace fill the earth
            as the waters fill the seas.

All:       Prophets, visionaries, dreamers!
            Let us all worship with courage and with hope!

One:    Let us worship God!

—posted by the The First Presbyterian Church of West Seneca.
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/06/pentecost-call-to-worship.html

Invocation
Spirit…
Wind…
Breath…
fill our lungs and lives with your energizing presence;
refresh our stale minds;
and stir our slowly-beating hearts;
so that we may humbly and courageously
be your breathing, gusting, good presence in the world.
Amen

~ written by Scott Cervas, pastor at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY). Posted on LiturgyLink. http://www.liturgylink.net/

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#254"Breath On Me, Breath of God"(verses 1, 2, & 3

Praying Together
Prayers of the People
(inspired by the events of Acts 2:1-13)

God of wind and flame,
blow into our lives.
Ignite the fire of hope, fan the flames of possibility.
Transform us into a people who share your love with a world in pain,
a people who proclaim your hope into a world given to despair,
a people who live as though the world can be changed
into the kingdom that is to come.

Baptizing God, who calls us to be a baptizing community,
you speak to us in many languages over the course of our lives:
the burbles and laughs and wails of infancy,
the indistinct speech and partial words of toddlerhood,
the strange syntax and slang of late childhood and adolescence,
the full language of adulthood,
the quavering speech and muted tones of old age.
Speak to us in the language that we need to hear today,
hear us in the language that we speak.

God of many languages.
You sing the language of joy with us, you join us in the dance of life.
Hear all of your children who sing and dance and praise this morning,
those who celebrate new life with all the possibilities of the future,
those who celebrate relationships,
both the new and exciting and the long-term yet still exciting,
those for whom the wonder of life fills their being to the limit,
may they hear your voice joining in the singing and the shouting...

...time of silence...

And yet, God of life,
you also speak the languages of pain, of sorrow, of fear, of despair.
Hear all your children who speak, who wail,
who whisper in these languages this day:
those who find themselves in hospital beds, or waiting anxiously beside those beds,
those who gather to say farewell to one who is traveling, or one who is moving,
those who gather at graveside to say that longer farewell,
those who worry about where the next meal, or the next rent cheque, will come from,
those who live in places where peace is just a word, a faint hope, a distant dream,
May all those whose language is rent by pain hear you lamenting with them,

...time of silence...

God of Pentecost,
God who speaks with many tongues,
God who makes God-self known in many ways,
fill us with Your Spirit this and every morning,
hear the prayers we share using many different languages,
we pray in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the one we call Christ, whose life,
death and resurrection show us the path to the Kingdom.

We pray as people of the Spirit,
who lights our fires, who fills our lungs with air,
who blows us out into the world to live and serve.
Amen.

~ written by Rev. Gord Waldie and posted on Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#249 "Spirit" (verses 1, 3, & 4)

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#253 "Spirit, Come Dispel Our Sadness"(all verses)

Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship 
One:    Let us give a thoughtful response 
            to this day’s call to worship.
            For today we ask God’s Spirit to fill us,
            that we may prophesy,
            and dream dreams, and see visions.
            The call to worship today
            is a summons to be touched by holy fire.

All:      Even now the flames may dance above our heads,

One:    Igniting passions and inspiring thoughts
           that can blaze into commitment.

All:      Even now the flames may be burning into our hearts,

One:    animating us,
            leaving us no peace as individuals or as a community
            until God’s justice and peace fill the earth
            as the waters fill the seas.

All:       Prophets, visionaries, dreamers!
            Let us all worship with courage and with hope!

One:    Let us worship God!

—posted by the The First Presbyterian Church of West Seneca.
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/06/pentecost-call-to-worship.html

Praise Hymn#267 "Blessed Quietness" (verses 1, 3, & 4)

Lighting of the Candles 

Invocation
Spirit…
Wind…
Breath…
fill our lungs and lives with your energizing presence;
refresh our stale minds;
and stir our slowly-beating hearts;
so that we may humbly and courageously
be your breathing, gusting, good presence in the world.
Amen

~ written by Scott Cervas, pastor at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY). Posted on LiturgyLink. http://www.liturgylink.net/

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn#261" Sweet, Sweet Spirit" (sing once) 

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Choir Anthem

Children's Sermon

Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#254"Breath On Me, Breath of God"(verses 1, 2, & 3

Praying Together
Prayers of the People
(inspired by the events of Acts 2:1-13)

God of wind and flame,
blow into our lives.
Ignite the fire of hope, fan the flames of possibility.
Transform us into a people who share your love with a world in pain,
a people who proclaim your hope into a world given to despair,
a people who live as though the world can be changed
into the kingdom that is to come.

Baptizing God, who calls us to be a baptizing community,
you speak to us in many languages over the course of our lives:
the burbles and laughs and wails of infancy,
the indistinct speech and partial words of toddlerhood,
the strange syntax and slang of late childhood and adolescence,
the full language of adulthood,
the quavering speech and muted tones of old age.
Speak to us in the language that we need to hear today,
hear us in the language that we speak.

God of many languages.
You sing the language of joy with us, you join us in the dance of life.
Hear all of your children who sing and dance and praise this morning,
those who celebrate new life with all the possibilities of the future,
those who celebrate relationships,
both the new and exciting and the long-term yet still exciting,
those for whom the wonder of life fills their being to the limit,
may they hear your voice joining in the singing and the shouting...

...time of silence...

And yet, God of life,
you also speak the languages of pain, of sorrow, of fear, of despair.
Hear all your children who speak, who wail,
who whisper in these languages this day:
those who find themselves in hospital beds, or waiting anxiously beside those beds,
those who gather to say farewell to one who is traveling, or one who is moving,
those who gather at graveside to say that longer farewell,
those who worry about where the next meal, or the next rent cheque, will come from,
those who live in places where peace is just a word, a faint hope, a distant dream,
May all those whose language is rent by pain hear you lamenting with them,

...time of silence...

God of Pentecost,
God who speaks with many tongues,
God who makes God-self known in many ways,
fill us with Your Spirit this and every morning,
hear the prayers we share using many different languages,
we pray in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the one we call Christ, whose life,
death and resurrection show us the path to the Kingdom.

We pray as people of the Spirit,
who lights our fires, who fills our lungs with air,
who blows us out into the world to live and serve.
Amen.

~ written by Rev. Gord Waldie and posted on Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#249 "Spirit" (verses 1, 3, & 4)

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#253 "Spirit, Come Dispel Our Sadness"(all verses)

Blessing

Closing Hymn $472 "Pass it On" (verse 1)

June 2, 2019

THEME: A Faith Lived Out Loud

NOTES: We will be celebrating graduations on this Sunday. As we explore Paul's adventures in Philippi, we discover that sometimes sharing the Good News is a task that cannot be accomplished quietly. Sometimes, the act of sharing God's love and grace leads us into the public spotlight in ways we may not be ready to embrace. Nonetheless, God's grace and mercy sustain us where the Holy Spirit leads us.

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34
¹⁶ One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you^[a] a way of salvation.” ¹⁸ She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
¹⁹ But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. ²⁰ When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews ²¹ and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.” ²² The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. ²³ After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴ Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ The jailer^[b] called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² They spoke the word of the Lord^[c] to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. ³⁴ He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.


8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#609 "Take My Life" (verses 1, 3, & 6)
Call to Worship
Leader: Gather around and hear Good News, you are welcome here!
People: It is the God of encouragement who will speak to us today.
Leader: So come on in, relax, let your tiredness roll away.
People: We will lift up our hearts, and listen.


~adapted from a piece written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community website. http://stillpointsa.org.au/prayer/prayers-and-liturgies/

Invocation
Lord, God of heaven and earth,                                        
Creator of our world, and everything in it,
yet as close to us as our own breath—holy is Your name.

We pray that Your Holy Spirit
would move among us as we worship,
opening our eyes to Your presence,                                
opening our ears to Your Word.

Receive the worship of our hearts and minds and bodies;
may it be a pleasing offering to You.

We pray in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ,
in whose death and resurrection we find life. Amen.

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Sermon

We Pray Together

Recognition of Graduates 
Presentation to High School Graduate
Charge to the Graduates

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#570"Sweet Hour of Prayer" (all verses)
Praying Together

Holy and awesome God, we celebrate the many gifts which you bestow upon your people. We also reflect upon the challenging call to live as a new creation in Christ in this time and place.

God of the Church, your apostles were persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Such suffering continues today in the face of human cruelty and intolerance. We pray for all who are  persecuted for the sake of their faith and political beliefs. Strengthen our courage to stand up for ourselves and others.

God of righteousness, help us to discern your will from our own. Empower us to be faithful to the promises we made through baptism and keep us true to our growing friendship with you.



God of justice, your Son began his ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, in which the blind are given sight and the oppressed released from bondage. Give us grace to enact the vision of that kingdom, by living lives of service that are dedicated to justice.

God of the weak, be with those who suffer and their friends and families who keep vigil with them. In silence we remember those whose names have been spoken today in our Concerns... and those whose names we hold close in our hearts, unspoken.

(PAUSE)

God of all people, it is both a gift and a responsibility to have Christ dwelling in us. Let us be truly grateful and willing to live as one with the Lord.  We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

~ adapted from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s Lift Up Your Hearts archive. http://www.worship.ca/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#393 "One Bread, One Body" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#595 "Be Thou My Vision"(verses 1, 2, & 3)
Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship 
Leader: Gather around and hear Good News, you are welcome here!
People: It is the God of encouragement who will speak to us today.
Leader: So come on in, relax, let your tiredness roll away.
People: We will lift up our hearts, and listen.

~adapted from a piece written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community website. http://stillpointsa.org.au/prayer/prayers-and-liturgies/ 

Praise Hymn#609 "Take My Life" (verses 1, 3, & 6)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
Lord God of heaven and earth,                                        
Creator of our world, and everything in it,
yet as close to us as our own breath—holy is Your name.

We pray that Your Holy Spirit
would move among us as we worship,
opening our eyes to Your presence,                                
opening our ears to Your Word.

Receive the worship of our hearts and minds and bodies;
may it be a pleasing offering to You.

We pray in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ,
in whose death and resurrection we find life. Amen.
 
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn #610 "Living for Jesus" (verses 1 & 3)
Recognition of Graduates
Charge to the Graduates

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#570"Sweet Hour of Prayer" (all verses)
Praying Together

Holy and awesome God, we celebrate the many gifts which you bestow upon your people. We also reflect upon the challenging call to live as a new creation in Christ in this time and place.

God of the Church, your apostles were persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Such suffering continues today in the face of human cruelty and intolerance. We pray for all who are  persecuted for the sake of their faith and political beliefs. Strengthen our courage to stand up for ourselves and others.

God of righteousness, help us to discern your will from our own. Empower us to be faithful to the promises we made through baptism and keep us true to our growing friendship with you.



God of justice, your Son began his ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, in which the blind are given sight and the oppressed released from bondage. Give us grace to enact the vision of that kingdom, by living lives of service that are dedicated to justice.

God of the weak, be with those who suffer and their friends and families who keep vigil with them. In silence we remember those whose names have been spoken today in our Concerns... and those whose names we hold close in our hearts, unspoken.

(PAUSE)

God of all people, it is both a gift and a responsibility to have Christ dwelling in us. Let us be truly grateful and willing to live as one with the Lord.  We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

~ adapted from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s Lift Up Your Hearts archive. http://www.worship.ca/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#393 "One Bread, One Body" (all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#595 "Be Thou My Vision"(verses 1, 2, & 3)
Blessing
Closing Hymn#477 "Pass it On" (verse 1 )

May 26, 2019 Memorial Weekend

THEME: The Call - "Come over and Help Us!"

NOTES: On this Memorial Day, we  remember lives given in service and ultimate sacrificefor their country. We also hear from scripture the call which Peter and the post-Easter Apostles heard to step outside their comfort zone. A new horizon for ministry opens up and to everyone's great surprise, the Holy Spirit is already out there at work. As we root ourselves in grateful memory, what horizons do we see opening up?

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days.

On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us.



8:30 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn#61 "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (all verses)

Call to Worship

Leader: May all the nations of the earth joyfully
sing because God’s justice is supreme!

 
People: May the love that lights up the face of God
shine with favour upon us and bless us;
teaching us God’s way of living and loving.

Leader: We gather to worship our wise and holy God.

 
People: Praise be to our generous and just God.

~ written by Joan Stott, and posted on the Geelong City Parish UCA website. If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2010 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year C, used with permission. http://www.wesleychurchgeelong.net/

 

Invocation
God, we remember with wonder and joy
that your spirit is reaching everywhere:
rejoicing in the liveliness of all living things;
touching what is wounded or ill with healing power;
gathering in the lonely, the lost, the least;
soothing ancient animosities;
creating and recreating a vision of hope.

Come now, Holy Spirit.
Let our worship rejoice in you,
and lift our hearts,
and bind us in one family of loving grace.
We ask in Jesus’ name; Amen.

~ from The World is Our Home, written by John A. Nelson. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways Archive. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/
Passing of the Peace

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#452 "Here I Am, Lord"(all verses)

Praying Together
Prayer for Memorial Day

Optional intro - In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts,
let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us
is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing ...

You who created us,
who sustain us,
who call us to live in peace,
hear our prayer this day.

Hear our prayer for all who have died,
whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone ...

Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others
ahead of their own
and give us hearts as generous as theirs ...

Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives
in the service of others,
and accept the gift of their sacrifice ...

Help us to shape and make a world
where we will lay down the arms of war
and turn our swords into ploughshares
for a harvest of justice and peace ...

Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones
and let your healing be the hope in our hearts...

Hear our prayer this day
and in your mercy answer us
in the name of all that is holy.

Amen. The peace of God be with you.

-D.A. Graham
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/memorial-day-prayer_b_868308

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#537 "My Hope is Built" (verses 1, 2, & 3)

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#680"O God of Every Nation"(all verses)

Blessing

10:40 am Order of Service

We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship

Leader: May all the nations of the earth joyfully
sing because God’s justice is supreme!

 
People: May the love that lights up the face of God
shine with favour upon us and bless us;
teaching us God’s way of living and loving.

Leader: We gather to worship our wise and holy God.

 
People: Praise be to our generous and just God.

~ written by Joan Stott, and posted on the Geelong City Parish UCA website. If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2010 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year C, used with permission. http://www.wesleychurchgeelong.net/

Praise Hymn#61 "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (all verses)

Lighting of the Candles 

Invocation
God, we remember with wonder and joy
that your spirit is reaching everywhere:
rejoicing in the liveliness of all living things;
touching what is wounded or ill with healing power;
gathering in the lonely, the lost, the least;
soothing ancient animosities;
creating and recreating a vision of hope.

Come now, Holy Spirit.
Let our worship rejoice in you,
and lift our hearts,
and bind us in one family of loving grace.
We ask in Jesus’ name; Amen.

~ from The World is Our Home, written by John A. Nelson. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways Archive. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/
Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn #530 "Peace Like a River" (all verses)

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture
Choir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn#452 "Here I Am, Lord"(all verses)
Praying Together

Prayer for Memorial Day

Optional intro - In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts,
let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us
is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing ...

You who created us,
who sustain us,
who call us to live in peace,
hear our prayer this day.

Hear our prayer for all who have died,
whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone ...

Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others
ahead of their own
and give us hearts as generous as theirs ...

Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives
in the service of others,
and accept the gift of their sacrifice ...

Help us to shape and make a world
where we will lay down the arms of war
and turn our swords into ploughshares
for a harvest of justice and peace ...

Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones
and let your healing be the hope in our hearts...

Hear our prayer this day
and in your mercy answer us
in the name of all that is holy.

Amen. The peace of God be with you.

-D.A. Graham
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/memorial-day-prayer_b_868308

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn#537 "My Hope is Built" (verses 1, 2, & 3)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn#680"O God of Every Nation"(all verses)
Blessing
Closing Hymn "He is Lord" (sing once)