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: “It was when I was happiest that I longed most…
The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing…to find the
place where all the beauty came from.” C.S. Lewis, 20th century
Welcome:
Gathering Music: Autumn Leaves (by Joseph Kosma) -Michelle Currie
Responsive Call to Worship
Leader: Quiet your mind, still your restlessness.
Come before God.
People: Like a bird that lights on a branch,
we come to the pause of God.
Leader: Warm your heart, stir up your spirit.
Come before God.
People: Like flame dancing on a candle’s wick,
we come to the dance of God.
Leader: Open your hands, meet the eyes of your neighbors.
Come before God.
People: Like rustling leaves blowing in autumn wind,
bright with color, deep when gathered,
we fall into the presence of God.
Opening Hymn: An Autumn Morning Has Broken *See lyric insert
Invocation Unison: An Autumn Prayer
O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the
changing of the seasons.
As we embrace these autumn months,
May the earlier setting of the sun
Remind us to take time to rest.
May the crunch of the leaves beneath our feet
Remind us of the brevity of this earthly life.
May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that
it is You who give us your breath of life.
May the scurrying of the squirrels and the migration of the birds
Remind us that You call us to follow your path.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: From A Distance (by Judy Gold) -Michelle Currie
Readings: Job 38:1-7, (34-41), Mark 10:35-45 -Nancy Bancroft
Sermon: Calming Our Minds and Hearts Rev. Paula Norbert
Meditative Music: Harvest Moon (by Neil Young) / Meditative Instr.
-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: Here In This Place #401
Blessing:
May the beauty of God
be reflected in your eyes,
the peace of God
reside within your heart,
and the love of God
be the focus of your life,
this day and all days.
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.
An Autumn Version of Morning Has Broken (Bunessan)
Morning has broken, like the first morning.
Geese have awoken, distant but heard.
Praise for the winging, praise for the morning,
Praise for life springing fresh from the Word.
Sweet is the autumn, golden before us
As the bright leaves shine, and fall from the trees.
Praise for the beauty of pumpkin and harvest,
Praise for God’s whispers on the cool breeze.
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the moonrise.
Dawn sky and sunset- palette of play.
Praise with our rising, praise with our resting;
God’s hope and blessing for every day.
Lyrics by Rev. Maren Tirabassi
(with permission)
With thanks to Michelle Currie, our Zoom Host for today, and to our reader and other volunteers.
Pastor’s contact Info: pnorbert1217@gmail.com and 207-205-4951.