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: “Teach your children what we have taught our children: that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth. This we know. The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth. Our God is the god of all people. And compassion is equal for all. this earth is precious to God, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on the creator. So love it as we have loved it. care for it as we have cared for it. and with all your mind, with all your heart, preserve it for our children and love as God loves us all.” ― Chief Seattle
Gathering Music: What A Wonderful World (by Bob Thiele/George David Weiss) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Call to Worship:
L: We’ve come to worship God,
All: who loved us before we were yet born,
L: who knows us even better than we know ourselves,
All: whose presence never leaves us,
L: and whose love for us never ceases.
All: This is our God.
Let’s worship together!
Opening Hymn: Be Thou My Vision #450 vs. 1-3
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Grateful (by John Bucchino) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Psalm 139, Ute Prayer -Cris Hudson
After the readings, you may respond with “Thanks Be to God.”
Sermon: Compassionate Presence Rev. Paula Norbert
Sermon Response: Meditative Instrumental ~ Michelle Currie
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: Simple Gifts (by Joseph Brackett) -Michelle Currie
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: For the Beauty of the Earth #14 vs. 1-4
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
Recessional: Go In Peace
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
celebrate and share the joy. Celebrate new life.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
Church Picnic: Sunday, August 28th in the yard at the home of Brad and Anita Coupe, 20 Ocean Ave, BP. 11-12:30ish. All are welcome to join us. Please bring your own sandwich and beach chair; drinks and chips will be provided.
Summer Speaker Series: Our final speaker, Meg Weston, joins us this Thursday evening at 7pm. FMI: see our church website under events page. www.unionchurchme.com.
Our thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director, to our Zoom host and reader this week.
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
A Blessing of Solitude by John O’Donohue
May you recognise in your life the presence,
power and light of your soul.
May you realise that you are never alone,
that your soul, in its brightness and belonging,
connects you intimately with the rhythm
of the universe.
May you have respect for your own
individuality and difference.
May you realise that the shape
of your soul is unique,
that you have a special destiny here,
that, behind the façade of your life,
there is something beautiful, good and eternal.
May you learn to see your self
with the same delight,
pride and expectation
with which God sees you in every moment.
Invitation to Reflect:
Over these past weeks, we have been exploring Celtic
Spirituality and God’s presence throughout all of creation.
As we reach today’s final stage of this summer journey,
we are invited to reflect upon the places, people, and things that
remind us of God’s unwavering presence in our lives.
I invite you to write down some thoughts about how and when God has blessed you over these months; how have you felt God’s presence near to you…
God Is In…
God Is In…
God Is In…