NOTES: In her poem, "Song of Miriam," Rabbi Ruth Sohn explores the moment when Israel first experiences a sense freedom from Egypt. She enters the story through the perspective of Miriam, Moses' sister who leads the women in dance and song. But Sohn focuses more narrowly on that instant of decision, the terrifying moment when the door closes on the past but we are not at all certain what lies ahead. Why does Miriam choose praise for such a moment? According to Sohn, it is in this moment, when there is nothing but God to rely on, that the truest song of Miriam's heart can be heard for the first time....and this is a new discovery, even for her. As we ponder what God has done in our lives, and all that lies behind us begins to slip into memory, some familiar doors close, some familiar pathways are swept away. What new paths will we seek across the wildlands of our future?
What song is rising in us in this moment of faith?
This week in second service, the Bel Canto Treble Singers from Berea College will be presenting our sermon moment through Choral Reflections. They will sing three pieces that reflect this theme, of the songs of our hearts. They are a musical setting of Rabbi Ruth Sohn's "Song of Miriam," "Dobru Noc" a Slavakian lullaby and "How Can I Keep from Singing," a song of courage in the face of persecution from the Friends (Quaker) tradition. They will also sing "The Elm Tree" as a benediction at the end of the service.
Logistics: The guest choir will rehears in the sanctuary on Friday, 2/14, form noon to one. The will gather in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00am on Sunday morning. There are between 25-30 people in the choir.
Scripture: Exodus 14:10-16, Exodus 15:19-21 and Psalm 107:1-9
Exodus 14: 10-16As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. 16 But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground.
Exodus 15:19-2119 When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.
20 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
Psalm 107:1-9O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 7 he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. 9 For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.
8:30 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome
Prelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn CH#28 "Strength in the Name of the Lord"
Call to Worship
Leader: As we gather together,
People: Our mission today is to cross this sea that blocks our way.
Leader: As we join our hearts in prayer and song,
People: Our offering today is to say "no" to the fear.
Leader: As we listen and let God's word dwell in us,
People: Our call today is to say "yes" to life and faith.
Leader: Let us cross the sea together and turn to face our next journey with God.
People: Yes.
inspired by a Call to Worship by —Copyright © Katherine Hawker. Written for Evangelical United Church of Christ, September 1999. Posted n Liturgy Outside website.
Invocation
O God, our Creator, both the sea and the desert are the work of your hands, and so are we, your people. You breathe life into us. As we stand with the sea behind us, with the knowledge that you have worked to help us in the past, we give you thanks. As we stand with the wilderness in front of us, we tremble in the uncertainty of what is to come. Grant us the courage that comes from trusting you and the confidence that comes from praise, as we worship in your name today. Amen.
-Lisa Caldwell-Reiss
We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn: CH#609 "Take My Life and Let It Be" sts. 1 & 6
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Pray Together
Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn: CH#259 "Spirit of the Living God"
Praying Together
Lord, As we read the stories of those who have gone before us in faith, we are writing our own story with you. We hear in their stories, echoes of our own lives.
Some of them wandered in wastelands lost and lonely.
They sought you and you saved them.
Some of us feel lost and lonely.
Give us the strength to look for you.
Some of them despaired in darkness ,imprisoned and isolated.
They sought you and you saved them.
Some of us are trapped by circumstance or choice.
Break our chains and set us free.
Some of them sailed the sea and were stranded in its storms.
They sought you and you saved them.
Some of us have been through turmoil and rough moments this week.
Steady our hearts like you calmed the storm.
O God, we entrust ourselves to you, confident that you will act for us as you have acted in the past. Grant us the wisdom, the courage and the joy that brought Miriam and Moses across the sea and the desert. And may our stories give confidence to those who follow. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Inspired by a prayer based on Psalm 107 written by Chris Altrock, on True North. http://chrisaltrock.com/ Visit that site for other prayers based on the psalms.
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn: CH#346 "Where He Leads Me" Sts. 1, 2 & 3
Blessing
Postlude
10:40 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship
Leader: As we gather together,
People: Our mission today is to cross this sea that blocks our way.
Leader: As we join our hearts in prayer and song,
People: Our offering today is to say "no" to the fear.
Leader: As we listen and let God's word dwell in us,
People: Our call today is to say "yes" to life and faith.
Leader: Let us cross the sea together and turn to face our next journey with God.
People: Yes.
inspired by a Call to Worship by —Copyright © Katherine Hawker. Written for Evangelical United Church of Christ, September 1999. Posted n Liturgy Outside website.
Praise Hymn: CH#17 "O Worship the King" sts. 1, 4 & 5
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
O God, our Creator, both the sea and the desert are the work of your hands, and so are we, your people. You breathe life into us. As we stand with the sea behind us, with the knowledge that you have worked to help us in the past, we give you thanks. As we stand with the wilderness in front of us, we tremble in the uncertainty of what is to come. Grant us the courage that comes from trusting you and the confidence that comes from praise, as we worship in your name today. Amen.
-Lisa Caldwell-Reiss
Passing of the Peace
We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture: Exodus 14:10-16, 15:19-21
Choral Reflections presented by Bel Canto Treble Singers of Berea College
Mark Calkins, Director
Cully Barr, Accompanist
"Dobrú noc" by Victor C. Johnson
"How Can I Keep from Singing" by Alice Parker
We Come to the Lord's Table
Scripture: Psalm 107:1-9 Reader from College Fellowship
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn: CH# 425 "Let Us Break Bread Together" sts. 1 & 2
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental and vocal meditation featuring Cully Barr, Chloe Soliday and Rachel Wydek
Prayer of Thanksgiving - The Lord's Prayer
We Pray Together
Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn: CH#259 "Spirit of the Living God"
Praying Together
Lord, As we read the stories of those who have gone before us in faith, we are writing our own story with you. We hear in their stories, echoes of our own lives.
Some of them wandered in wastelands lost and lonely.
They sought you and you saved them.
Some of us feel lost and lonely.
Give us the strength to look for you.
Some of them despaired in darkness ,imprisoned and isolated.
They sought you and you saved them.
Some of us are trapped by circumstance or choice.
Break our chains and set us free.
Some of them sailed the sea and were stranded in its storms.
They sought you and you saved them.
Some of us have been through turmoil and rough moments this week.
Steady our hearts like you calmed the storm.
O God, we entrust ourselves to you, confident that you will act for us as you have acted in the past. Grant us the wisdom, the courage and the joy that brought Miriam and Moses across the sea and the desert. And may our stories give confidence to those who follow. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Inspired by a prayer based on Psalm 107 written by Chris Altrock, on True North. http://chrisaltrock.com/ Visit that site for other prayers based on the psalms.
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Choral Benediction: "The Elm Tree" by Earlene Rentz
Blessing
Postlude
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