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: She’s Grown a Little Older (by Cheryl Sager) -Cheryl Sager & Neal Zweig
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: All Creatures of Our God and King #15 vs.1-3
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:
Awakening: Now I Know (by Peg Chaffee) -Cheryl Sager & Neal Zweig
Scripture: Ruth 1:1-14; John 14: 15-21 -Nancy Ost
Sermon: The Strength of Mothers Rev. Paula Norbert
Sermon Response: Meditative Instrumental ~
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: Simple Gifts (by Joseph Bracketty Elder) -Cheryl Sager & Ne4al Zweig
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessing flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Closing Hymn: For the beauty of the Earth #14 vs.1-4
Benediction
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.
With many thanks to our Music Director, Michelle Currie, Musicians Cheryl Sager & Neal Zweig and to our Deacons and Reader this day.
We are happy to share that Michelle will be returning next Sunday, May 17th. We are grateful to all the amazing musicians who have joined us in her absence!
Pentecost Sunday is May 24th. Join us in wearing the color red to celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church.
On Sunday, May 31st, we will welcome our neighbors from Etz Chaim Synagogue in Biddeford for an Interfaith Service. We will gather at the BPCC with light refreshments following on the first floor. Our theme will be Welcoming the Stranger which is an important mandate in both the Jewish and Christian tradition.