WWWW Online August 8, 2021

 Worship, Witness, Word and Welcome
Online Worship with First Christian Church  (Disciples of Christ) Berea, KY
August 8, 2021
Blessing of the Backpacks

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. Today we will be doing a "Blessing of the Backpacks!" So if you have someone headed back to school, get your bavckpacks ready for a special prayer!

Worship
Invocation We begin with prayer.
God, our Teacher, you help us understand the world around us. As we begin a new year of school in uncertain times, we recognize the gifts of teaching and learning in ways we have not seen them before. We celebrate the beginning of tis new school year by asking your blessings upon the children of our community, the educators and the families who support them. We entrust to your care all our students as they return to classrooms near and far, online and in person. And we ask your richest blessings on this year of school, that we may all learn from you and grow in wisdom. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Call to Worship
Voice One: Calling all children of the living God to hear:
Voice Two: The Gospel is Good News for every age and every stage!
Voice One: The Good News comes to us in words on a page, studied carefully.
Voice Two: It also comes in crayon drawings, outdoor games and delicious snacks.
Voice One: We light these candles today, because God is with us in this time and in all these places.
Voice Two: And that is the best news of all!

Lighting the Candles  We light our candles or lights.

Witness
Blessing of the Backpacks

Morning Prayer
God of fresh starts and new beginnings,
we bring ourselves, our big feelings, and our backpacks to you.
Last year was different from what we expected. We couldn’t see our friends or play on playgrounds,we learned at home, in masks six feet apart, or both. In all these changes, we may have felt sad and alone.
God, our friend who comforts us, hold us close and wipe our tears.
In our backpacks, we carry blank pages, sharpened pencils, and pointy crayons,and in our hearts, we carry big feelings, unanswered questions, and hopeful expectations.There are endless possibilities of what this new year might bring— of what we might learn, who we might meet, and who we might become.
God, our friend who is always with us, be with us through it all.
Be with us as we ride the bus. Be with us as we walk. Be with us as we buckle seat belts, zip-up jackets, and tie shoes. However we get there, and whatever we wear, bless this journey into something new.
For the grown-ups going back to school, God, be with them too.
Thank you for our teachers, helpers, caregivers, and leaders, and for all they do to help us learn and grow.God, our friend who’s full of wonder, fill their hearts and bless their hands. Amen

Word
Scripture: Psalm 1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--  whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
-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 Judy Halstead and Mark 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.



-Today's liturgical material was either inspired by or drawn from "Blessing of Backpacks and Back-toSchool Worship Liturgy by Illustrated Ministry and is used by permission © 2021 Illustrated Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. illustratedministry.com