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: “The kingdom, Jesus taught, is right here–present yet hidden, immanent yet transcendent. It is at hand–among us and beyond us, now and not-yet. The kingdom of heaven, he said, belongs to the poor, the meek, the peacemakers, the merciful, and those who hunger and thirst for God. It advances not through power and might, but through missions of mercy, kindness, and humility. In this kingdom, many who are last will be first and many who are first will be last.” Rachel Held Evans
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again
Gathering Music: Bright Morning Stars (by The Wailin‘ Jennys)
-Cheryl Sager & Neal Zweig
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
Leader: Come, let us celebrate the goodness of God.
People: God has blessed us with God’s great love.
Leader: Let us come to this time, letting go of our worries.
People: Let us come to this time praising God.
Leader: Come, now is the time to worship.
People: We come rejoicing, for God is so good to us. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Open My Eyes, That I May See #451
Invocation:
With thankful hearts we pause this day to be reminded
of our grandest hope: that the calamities, the demands,
even the blessings of this world do not have the last word.
You are the one who was and is, and who is yet to come—
a ruler of a different kind. Open our hearts to the comfort,
the challenge and the mystery of this good news. In the name of
Jesus Christ, your faithful witness, we pray. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Healing Hands (by Cheryl Sager) -Cheryl Sager & Neal Zweig
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:43-48; 25:31-46 -Nancy Batchelor
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Sermon: The Way of Love, Yes Rev Lamar Robinson
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: Simple Gifts (by Joseph Brackett) -Cheryl Sager & 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:
As we offer our treasure and hearts to you, O God, may they be used to pass on the promise of hope, of peace, of life, of community to all in need of your gifts and presence in their lives. Amen.
Closing Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling #366
Benediction
God calls us into the world to embody a realm that is not of this world.
Go forth now in the name of the one who is, and was, and is to come.
May God’s grace and peace be with you. Amen.
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 Music Director Michelle Currie and to our Musicians today, Cheryl Sager and Neal Zweig. Many thanks to our Deacons for leading worship and to Rev. Lamar Robinson for sharing the Sermon.