Worship, Witness, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY
May 16, 2021 (Seventh Sunday of Easter Season)
Before we begin, gather a candle or small light, your Bible, a cross, a piece of bread and a cup of juice or water. Place them at the center of a calm area in your home and gather comfortable seating for all who will join you. Place your phone, tablet or computer where you can see and hear it.
Worship
Invocation
Holy Spirit, sacred breath, move through this time.
Unlock a song within your people.
Breathe into us your hopes and dreams
for a world filled with justice, love, and peace. Amen.
~ written by Tim Graves, and posted on LiturgyBits. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com
Lighting the Candles We light our candles or lights.
Call to Worship
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!
Voice One: Come, let us worship God, our Savior,
Voice Two: Who hears us when we cry out for help!
Witness
Today's guest disciples are the Williams family, Mandy, Brad, Caroline, Wyatt and Barrett. Mandy teaches at Richmond Model. Brad is a doctor in McKee, Ky. Caroline, Wyatt and Barrett are students, athletes, gardeners, explorers and friends. What's the Good Word from Red Lick?
Word
Scripture: Acts 16:1-15
Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 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.-
-New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Meditation
Challenge for Discipleship
Welcome- The Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table
All are welcome to partake in the bread and cup at the table of God's love. It is Chrsit who is our host. When you hear the Words of Institution, partake of the elements.
Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Kathy Sharp and Gwynne Griffith.
Words of Institution
Prayer of Response
Our God—we, your people, stand ready and open to receive the flame of your Spirit. Give us the ability to speak your truth so that others may hear.
Come, Spirit of Truth, fill our hearts.
May that which was of stone be now transformed into life.
Come, Spirit of Life, change our hearts.
May we who receive your light dwell together in Your love.
Come, Spirit of Love, soften our hearts.
Bestow your compassion on those who suffer in mind, spirit, and body.
Come, Spirit of Hope, heal our hearts.
Make us bold to bring light to the dark places, warmth to the cold places, and love to the empty places.
Come, Spirit of Faith, strengthen our hearts.
Spirit of the Living God, fill our hearts, minds, and souls to overflowing.
Come, Spirit of God, move in our hearts.
Our God—we, your people, celebrate the mystery of your never-ending love, as we pray together as Jesus Christ has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
-adapted from a prayer written by Roberta Hiday, for use at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Port Townsend on the Day of Pentecost, 2008. Posted on In the Courtyard. www.inthecourtyard.com
Blessing We speak in unison.
The Light that was in one place and at one time, is now in all places and all times, for God has placed the light in us. And we abide in peace!
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