Order of Worship
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “There it is-Happiness. Here it comes, closer and closer. I can hear its footsteps. And if we never see it or know it, well, that’s all right too. Others will.” Anton Checkov
Gathering Music: God Gifts -Neal Zweig and Cheryl Sager
Welcome:
Call to Worship:
Come, Lord God, and be with us in this hour.
Too often our cares and our worries keep us at a distance
from our God.
Come, Lord God, and speak a word of comfort
to your troubled people.
Help us hear you, Lord God, in the quietness
of these moments.
Opening Hymn: Amazing Grace, verses 1-3 #649
Invocation:
Come summer with me, O God;
summer deep down in my soul;
restore my faith in summer’s time,
in rest, in joy, in play, in you…
Summer in my heart, Holy On,
and dwell there
as if time would never end,
as if all time were children’s time, eternal time
when school is always out and joy is ever in…
And let others summer in my shade, Lord,
and share whatever summer’s peace is mine to give,
whatever summer’s light is mine to shed,
whatever summer’s warmth is mine to share…
Good God of every season and every day this week,
come summer with me, Lord, and let the child in my heart
spend this summer in your love… Amen.
(A prayer by Fr. Austin Fleming)
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: For Good (by Stephen Schartz) -Cheryl Sager and Neal Zweig
Scripture: Psalm 42: 1-8, Luke 1: 57-70 – Anne Murray
After the readings, you may respond with “Thanks Be to God.”
Sermon: Sacramental Moments -Rev. Paula Norbert
Sermon Response: Meditative Instrumental -Neal Zweig
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: (Music) Simple Gifts (Joseph Brackett) -Cheryl Sager and Neal Zweig
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts,
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: Be Thou My Vision, verses 1-3 #450
Benediction:
May the blessing of God go before you.
May her grace and peace abound.
May her Spirit live within you.
May her love wrap you ’round.
May her blessing remain with you always.
May you walk on holy ground.
Closing: Go In Peace
Our thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director and to our wonderful musicians today, Cheryl Sager and Neal Zweig
Pastor’s Information: Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com. Church Address: Union Church, P.O. Box 344, B.P. ME. 04006