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: If I had influence with the good fairy… I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life. Rachel Carson
Gathering Music: You Make Beautiful Things (by Gungor) -Michelle Currie
Welcome: Rev. Paula Norbert
Responsive Call to Worship:
L: Welcome today to a celebration of God’s love!
P: We are grateful for this welcome.
L: Feel the loving power of God flow into your lives.
P: We open our hearts and lives to receive God’s blessings.
L: Come, let us worship God who is always with us.
P: Lord, be with us today as we listen for your words of hope. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Be Thou My Vision vs 1-3
Invocation
Creator God
who breathed this world into being,
who is discernible within the harmony of nature,
the perfection of a butterfly’s wing, the grandeur of a mountain range,
the soaring eagle and humming bird, thank you for this world
which you have created.
Thank you for summer sun, which reminds us
that your creative breath is still alive and active.
Thank you for the warmth of your love,
sustaining this world, your garden Amen.
Lord’s Prayer: Each week we explore a version of the prayer Jesus taught. This week we encounter a version that comes from the Maori and Polynesian people.
Let us pray together:
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe;
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world;
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings;
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and forever. Amen.
(If you are more comfortable, you may pray the familiar version of the Lord’s Prayer at this time)
Readings: Rise Early by Macrina Wiederkehr, Job 12:1-10
-Sharon Gaudin
(After the readings you may choose to respond, “Thanks be to God”)
Sermon: The Gift of Wonder Rev. Paula Norbert
Sermon Response: Simple Gifts (by Joseph Bracket) -Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at
ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord. (two times)
Prayers of the People:
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Closing Hymn: You Shall Go Out with Joy #80
Blessing Rev. Paula Norbert
May the beauty of God be reflected in your eyes,
the love of God be reflected in your hands,
the wisdom of God be reflected in your words,
and the knowledge of God flow from your heart,
that all might see, and seeing, believe
Response: Thanks be to God
Closing: Go In Peace…
From Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White…
”A spider’s web is stronger than it looks. Although it is made of thin, delicate strands, the web is not easily broken.”
“The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year – the days when summer is changing into autumn – the crickets spread the rumour of sadness and change.”
“It is quite possible that an animal has spoken to me and that I didn’t catch the remark because I wasn’t paying attention.”
“By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”
“Never hurry and never worry!”
“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
“We take to the breeze, we go as we please.”
Thank you for wearing a mask throughout our Service.
With thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director and to our reader and ushers today. Thanks too to all of our Zoom Hosts!
Pastor’s Contact Info: 207-205-4951
Email: pnorbert1217@gmail.com