August 1, 2021 Online Worship Text

 Worship, Witness, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church  (Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY
August 1, 2021


















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. We are beginning a summer series on Wisdom this week. Include something in your worship center that reminds you of wisdom - todayyou might want a piece of rope orcord or a nraid of yard or string, even a friendship bracelet.

Worship
Invocation We begin with prayer.
Spirit of the living God, we praise and adore you for empowering us to claim membership of the body of Christ, a gift received through the fullness of your grace. Empower us, through our worship today, to become clear evidence of your love in this place. We give thanks and rejoice in being a part Christ's body. Accept our adoration and praise for your great gifts, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
~ inspired by a prayer written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online. http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Call to Worship
Voice One: In one Spirit,
Voice Two: We were all baptised into one body.
Voice One: We are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Voice Two: Baptised by the Spirit, we claim our membership of the body of Christ.
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!    
 ~ written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online. http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Lighting the Candles  We light our candles or lights.

Witness
Morning Prayer
You, O God, love us from the moment of our conception,You know us and you love us in the womb, You love us and you call us from before the moment of our first breath, and you love us when we first see the light of day. As parents that love their children before they ever see them, embrace them gently from the moment of birth, so you love us—and we thank you.
Help us dear God to love one another in this way....
Lord hear our prayer.
You love us, O God from the time of our naming. You love us in our growing and hold us as we take our first steps. You walk beside us as we explore the world with eager hands and eyes. As parents who love their children as they sees them grow and develop, so you love us—and we thank you.
Help us dear God to love one another in this way.... 
Lord hear our prayer...
You love us, O God, as we mature and seek our way. You love as we become aware of the world around us. You love us as we smile and play. You even love us when we say no and when we begin to stray. As parents who love their children as they see them become proud and tall, so you love us even when we sin and fall..
Help us dear God to love one another in this way....  
Lord hear our prayer...
Lord hear our prayers of love this day for those around us,  for those we have held before you in our time of sharing,  and for those we have thought of in our moments of caring. We thank you God for loving us so richly.
    (add your own prayers)
Help us dear God to love one another in this way...
Lord hear our prayer...
We ask all these things in the name of Christ Jesus,
who is our Lord and our brother.  Amen
~ written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild (adapted slightly), and posted on Kir-shalom. http://www.rockies.net/

Word
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
    Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed—with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power—with no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead, who have already died, more fortunate than the living, who are still alive; but better than both is the one who has not yet been, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
    Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from one person’s envy of another. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind. "Fools fold their hands and consume their own flesh." "Better is a handful with quiet than two handfuls with toil, and a chasing after wind."
    Again, I saw vanity under the sun: the case of solitary individuals, without sons or brothers; yet there is no end to all their toil, and their eyes are never satisfied with riches. “For whom am I toiling,” they ask, “and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
    Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
    Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king, who will no longer take advice. One can indeed come out of prison to reign, even though born poor in the kingdom. I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that[c] youth who replaced the king; there was no end to all those people whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
-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 Christ who is our host. When you hear the Words of Institution, partake of the elements.

Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Kyle Sowers and Ele Workman.

Words of Institution 

Prayer of Response
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.

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. Amen.

August 1, 2021 Onsite Worship Bulletin

Today's Worship
August 1, 2021




Welcome

Opening Song

Lighting the Christ Candles 
Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: Let there be light,
     and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us
    in this time and in this place!

Call to Worship
One Voice: In one Spirit,
Many Voices: We were all baptised into one body.
One Voice: The body does not consist of one member but of many.
Many Voices: If one member suffers, all suffer together with it;
One Voice: If one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.
Many Voices: We are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
All Voices: Baptised by the Spirit, we claim our membership of the body of Christ.
 ~ written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online. http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/
Invocation
Spirit of the living God, we praise and adore you for empowering us to claim membership of the body of Christ, a gift received through the fullness of your grace. Empower us, through our worship today, to become clear evidence of your love in this place. We give thanks and rejoice in being a part Christ's body. Accept our adoration and praise for your great gifts, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
~ inspired by a prayer written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online. http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Meditation

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Prayer of Communion

Communion Music        

The Lord's Supper
We come forward to receive the bread and cup and share our offering as we hear the music.

Words of Institution  We partake of  the bread and cup.






Prayer of Thanksgiving: The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Joys & Concerns

Morning Prayer
You, O God, love us from the moment of our conception,You know us and you love us in the womb, You love us and you call us from before the moment of our first breath, and you love us when we first see the light of day.
As parents that love their children before they ever see them, embrace them gently from the moment of birth, so you love us—and we thank you.
Help us dear God to love one another in this way....
Lord hear our prayer.
You love us, O God from the time of our naming. You love us in our growing and hold us as we take our first steps. You walk beside us as we explore the world with eager hands and eyes. As parents who love their children as they sees them grow and develop , so you love us—and we thank you.
Help us dear God to love one another in this way.... 
Lord hear our prayer...





You love us, O God, as we mature and seek our way. You love as we become aware of the world around us. You love us as we smile and play. You even love us when we say no and when we begin to stray. As parents who love their children as they see them become proud and tall, so you love us even when we sin and fall..
Help us dear God to love one another in this way....  
Lord hear our prayer...
Lord hear our prayers of love this day for those around us,  for those we have held before you in our time of sharing,  and for those we have thought of in our moments of caring. We thank you God for loving us so richly.

(add your own prayers)

Help us dear God to love one another in this way...
Lord hear our prayer...
We ask all these things in the name of Christ Jesus,
who is our Lord and our brother.  Amen
~ written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild (adapted slightly), and posted on Kir-shalom. http://www.rockies.net/



Challenge to Discipleship

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. We go forth in peace!

Closing Song

July 25, 2021 WWWW Online

 Worship, Witness, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church  (Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY
July 25, 2021

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. We are beginning a summer series on Wisdom this week. Include something in your worship center that reminds you of wisdom - it could be a quote, a book, a lamp, a symbol, etc.

Worship
Invocation We begin with prayer.
O God,  from whom every good and perfect gift comes we gather to worship you this day. You are an awesome God,  greater than we can begin to understand. You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe you. And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of your vast love. We come to you in thanksgiving and praise, to know that you are God and to place our lives anew into your perspective. May your guide us and your Spirit dwell in this congregation now, and forevermore. In Jesus we pray. Amen.
~ adapted from a prayer finspired by James 1 posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html


Call to Worship
Voice One: Who among you is seeking the wisdom of God?
Voice Two: We long to live lives of holiness and light.
Voice One: God grants God’s wisdom generously to all who ask.
Voice Two: Come near, people of God! Let us worship in wisdom and truth.
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!    
~ first four lines posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/

Lighting the Candles  We light our candles or lights.

Witness
Morning Prayer
God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath that sustains life,
for the food of this earth that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty that the eye can see,
for the joy that the ear may hear,
for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families who nurture our becoming,
for friends who love us by choice,
for companions at work, who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers who welcome us into their midst,
for people from other lands who call us to grow in understanding,
for children who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn, who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day:
for life and one more day to love,
for opportunity and one more day to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors and one more person to love and by whom be loved,
for your grace and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise: to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings, we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

~ adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Posted on BeliefNet.com


Word
Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12
My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.
-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 Christ who is our host. When you hear the Words of Institution, partake of the elements.

Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Kyle Sowers and Ele Workman.

Words of Institution 

Prayer of Response
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.

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. Amen.

July 25, 2021 WB Onsite

 Today's Worship
July 25, 2021

Welcome


Opening Song


Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.
Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Call to Worship

One Voice: Who among you is seeking the wisdom of God?
Many Voices: We long to hear God’s Word spoken to our hearts.
One Voice: Who among you is seeking God’s bright and holy truth?
Many Voices: We long to learn the ways of wisdom and righteousness.
One Voice: Who among you is seeking a Spirit-filled life?
Many Voices: We long to live lives of holiness and light.
One Voice: God grants God’s wisdom generously to all who ask. Come near, people of God!
All Voices: Let us worship in wisdom and truth.

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/


Invocation
O God,  from whom every good and perfect gift comes we gather to worship you this day. You are an awesome God,  greater than we can begin to understand. You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe you. And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of your vast love. We come to you in thanksgiving and praise, to know that you are God and to place our lives anew into your perspective. May your guide us and your Spirit dwell in this congregation now, and forevermore. In Jesus we pray. Amen.
~ adapted from a prayer finspired by James 1 posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html


Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12

Meditation

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Prayer of Communion

Communion Music        

The Lord's Supper
We come forward to receive the bread and cup and share our offering as we hear the music.

Words of Institution  We partake of  the bread and cup.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Joys & Concerns

Morning Prayer

God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath that sustains life,
for the food of this earth that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty that the eye can see,
for the joy that the ear may hear,
for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families who nurture our becoming,
for friends who love us by choice,
for companions at work, who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers who welcome us into their midst,
for people from other lands who call us to grow in understanding,
for children who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn, who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day:
for life and one more day to love,
for opportunity and one more day to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors and one more person to love and by whom be loved,
for your grace and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise: to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings, we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

~ adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Posted on BeliefNet.com
Challenge to Discipleship

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. We go forth in peace!

Closing Song

WB Onsite July 11, 2021

 
Beginning of Summer Sermon Series on Wisdom


Today's Worship
July 11, 2021



Welcome

Opening Song

Lighting the Christ Candles  We light our candles or lights.
Voice One: In the beginning, God said,
Voice Two: Let there be light, and there was light!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Call to Worship
Leader: The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
People: and the skies proclaim God’s handiwork.
Leader: Your law, O God, is perfect, reviving our souls,
People: Your commandments are sure, rejoicing our hearts.
Leader: Let our words and worship, the meditation of our hearts,
People: Be acceptable to you,O God, our rock and our redeemer!
— written by Christine Longhurst from Psalm 19 and posted on https://re-worship.blogspot.com/search?q=wisdom



Invocation

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you, no secrets are hidden.  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, so that we may love you completely and rightly praise your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
-11th century Leofric Missal or prayerbook.



Scripture: I Kings 3:1-15

Meditation "The Beginning of Wisdom"

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Prayer of Communion

Communion Music        

The Lord's Supper
We come forward to receive the bread and cup and share our offering as we hear the music.

Words of Institution  We partake of  the bread and cup.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: The Lord’s Prayer

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.
 

Joys & Concerns

Morning Prayer
God of holy wisdom, we are seekers on the way to a deeper wisdom and a wider vision. Our lives are full of information and opinions, but in the midst of it all we long to hear the voice of wisdom – Your wisdom, God – cutting through the noise and teaching us how to live.
O God, give us wisdom.

Spirit of Truth, we have come here this morning to learn wisdom from your Word, from you and from one another. We have come so that wisdom may call us out of the darkness and into the light. We have come to have the deeper, richer, wisdom-filled life that you have promised to each of us.
O God, give us discernment.

Christ our Savior,, make us ready to hear the Words spoken to our hearts this morning.
Call us to hear God's will and grant us the courage to respond as you did, willingly and with obedience.
O God, give us the will to be faithful.
Hear our words and our thoughts and our deepest longing as we pray today. Bring these prayers to life in fruitful action. Let our lives bear loving witness to your wisdom, your word and your will.
 O God, give us the power to love.  Amen.

~ a combination of two prayers, one written by Richard Einerson http://www.richardeinerson.com/ and the other posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/

Challenge to Discipleship

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. We go forth in peace!

Closing Song

WWWW Online Text July 11, 2021

 

Worship, Witness, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church  (Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY
July 11, 2021

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. We are beginning a summer series on Wisdom this week. Include something in your worship center that reminds you of wisdom - it could be a quote, a book, a lamp, a symbol, etc.

Worship
Invocation We begin with prayer.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you, no secrets are hidden.  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, so that we may love you completely and rightly praise your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
-11th century Leofric Missal or prayerbook.

Call to Worship
Voice One:  Before our world began, God, Word, and Wisdom were already
Voice Two: Creating and calling, from the foundations of the deep
Voice One: Listen!
Voice Two: Wisdom is calling!
Voice One: We light these candles today,
Voice Two: Because God is with us in this time and in all these places!    
— First four lines written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

Lighting the Candles  We light our candles or lights.

Witness
Morning Prayer
God of holy wisdom, we are seekers on the way to a deeper wisdom and a wider vision.
Our lives are full of information and opinions, but in the midst of it all we long to hear the voice of wisdom – Your wisdom, God – cutting through the noise and teaching us how to live.
O God, give us wisdom.

Spirit of Truth, we have come here this morning to learn wisdom from your Word, from you and from one another. We have come so that wisdom may call us out of the darkness and into the light. We have come to have the deeper, richer, wisdom-filled life that you have promised to each of us.
O God, give us discernment.

Christ our Savior,, make us ready to hear the Words spoken to our hearts this morning.
Call us to hear God's will and grant us the courage to respond as you did, willingly and with obedience.
O God, give us the will to be faithful.

Hear our words and our thoughts and our deepest longing as we pray today. Bring these prayers to life in fruitful action. Let our lives bear loving witness to your wisdom, your word and your will.
 O God, give us the power to love.  Amen.
~ a combination of two prayers, one written by Richard Einerson, and posted on Richard J. Einerson: Prayers of the People. http://www.richardeinerson.com/ and the other posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/


Word
Scripture: I Kings 3:1-15
Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.
He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
-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 Christ who is our host. When you hear the Words of Institution, partake of the elements.

Prayer of Communion Elders this month are Kyle Sowers and Ele Workman.

Words of Institution 

Prayer of Response
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.

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. Amen.