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:
“I’m a man of contradictions, a man of many moods. I contain
multitudes.” Bob Dylan
Gathering Music: Seasons of Love (by Jonathan Larson) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
Leader: Everyone who serves God, come and offer thanks.
People: Thank you God for your love of us.
Leader: Everyone who has gathered in this place, lift your hands and praise God.
People: Thank you God for your love in this place.
Leader: Shout praises to God for you are God’s servants, so shout praises.
People: Thank you God for your love to others.
Leader: All who serve in this place, who serve our God, come and shout praises.
People: Thank you God for your love that we can share.
Leader: Praise the name of our God who is kind and good.
People: Thank you God for your love endures forever.
Opening Hymn: Where Charity and Love Prevail. # 316.
Invocation:
O God, In the midst of the cacophony of voices
of pain and hurt in our world,
We come to hear your voice of affirmation;
We come to hear your voice calling us to be and do
what you have called us to be and do. Let this time of worship
quiet our fears, soothe our bruised souls, and energize us
for ministry in and with your beloved world.
Let faith abide.
Let hope abide.
Let love abide-here in this sanctuary,
here in our community, here in our world,
but most of all, here in us. Amen
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Common Ground (by Heath Sandees) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:21-30
– Cris Hudson
After the reading, you may respond with “Thanks Be to God”
Sermon: “I Contain Multitudes” -Stephen Fox
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:
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: Love Devine All Loves Excelling (verses 1-3) #366
Benediction
The peace of God be in your heart
The grace of God be in your words
The love of God be in your hands
The joy of God be in your soul
and in the song that your life sings.
Response: Amen
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.
Thank you to our Guest Presider today, Stephen Fox and to our
Music Director, Michelle Currie. Thanks to our Reader and Zoom Host.
Pastor’s Contact Info:
Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)
Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com.
A Prayer For You
When you’re lonely I pray for you to feel love.
When you’re down I pray for you to feel joy.
When you’re troubled I pray for you to feel peace.
When things are complicated I pray for you to see simple beauty
in all things. When things are chaotic I pray for you to find inner silence.
When things look empty I pray for you to know hope. Amen
Step out of the circle of time and into the circle of love.
-Rumi
You can never love another person unless you are equally involved in the beautiful but difficult spiritual work of learning to love yourself.
John O’Donohue