Order of Service
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: Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy…As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.
Isaiah 66
Gathering Music: Mom (by Garth Brooks) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
L: We gather together this morning to worship our loving, nurturing God,
All: Who, like a mother, knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally,
L: Who teaches us the way we should go, and comforts us in times of need.
All: Praise God, the Source and Sustainer of life.
Opening Hymn: Morning Has Broken #664
Invocation: Together, let us pray…
Come, Mother God, come as an enfolding nurturing
presence, come as steadfast love to hold us.
Come, Mother God, come as an enabling strengthening force, come as love that allows us to find our pathways in life.
Come, Mother God, come as friend and comforter healing our wounds, walking our way, come as wounded healer to make us whole. (by Kate McIlhagga)
Lord’s Prayer: (Our Father/Our Mother…)
Awakening: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (by Ted Harris)
-Michelle Currie
Scripture: Ruth 1:1-14; John 14: 1-4 -Maureen White
Sermon: Memories of our Mothers… Ada Goff and Sharon Gaudin with 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 re-lease, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: Let It Be (by Paul McCartney/John Lennon) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creature here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Closing Hymn: Joyful, Joyful #611
Benediction “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13)
Go now in the comfort and peace of the One who gave birth to us. Go to give comfort and peace to others. Divine Wisdom guide us as we go forth on Your paths of peace. Amen! Alleluia!
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.
Many thanks to our Music Director, Michelle Currie, to our Reader and Deacons today.
In honor of Mother’s Day, our friend Katie Koles has chosen to honor her own mother, Rita, by sharing beautiful roses with our church community this morning. On your way out, please take one to bring a little sunshine to your day as we honor all mothers this day. Thank you, Katie!
Looking Ahead:
Plant Sale: Saturday, May 20th. FMI Nancy Bancroft.
Yard Sale: Saturday, May 27th. To donate, volunteer or for more information, please speak with Eve McPheeters, Bonnie Tallagnon or Cris Hudson.
*The proceeds of these events will benefit our Community Outreach Partners.
Blessing the Mothers
By Jan Richardson
Who are our
first sanctuary.
Who fashion
a space of blessing
with their own being:
with the belly
the bone and
the blood
or,
if not with these,
then with the
durable heart
that offers itself
to break
and grow wide,
to gather itself
around another
as refuge,
as home.
Who lean into
the wonder and terror
of loving what
they can hold
but cannot contain.
Who remain
in some part of themselves
always awake,
a corner of consciousness
keeping perpetual vigil.
Who know
that the story
is what endures
is what binds us
is what runs deeper
even than blood
and so they spin them
in celebration
of what abides
and benediction
on what remains:
a simple gladness
that latches onto us
and graces us
on our way.