February 12th, 2023 Service

Link to Sermon

                                  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:

I’m a man of contradictions, a man of many moods. I contain

multitudes.”                                                                    Bob Dylan

Gathering Music: Seasons of Love (by Jonathan Larson) -Michelle Currie

Welcome:      

Responsive Call to Worship:           

Leader:  Everyone who serves God, come and offer thanks.

People:  Thank you God for your love of us.

Leader:  Everyone who has gathered in this place, lift your hands and praise God.

People:  Thank you God for your love in this place.

Leader:  Shout praises to God for you are God’s servants, so shout praises.

People:  Thank you God for your love to others.

Leader:  All who serve in this place, who serve our God, come and shout praises.

People:  Thank you God for your love that we can share.

Leader:  Praise the name of our God who is kind and good.

People:  Thank you God for your love endures forever. 

Opening Hymn: Where Charity and Love Prevail. # 316.

Invocation:                                           

O God, In the midst of the cacophony of voices

of pain and hurt in our world,

We come to hear your voice of affirmation;

We come to hear your voice calling us to be and do

what you have called us to be and do. Let this time of worship

quiet our fears, soothe our bruised souls, and energize us

for ministry in and with your beloved world.

Let faith abide.

Let hope abide.

Let love abide-here in this sanctuary,

here in our community, here in our world,

but most of all, here in us.  Amen

Lords Prayer:                       

Awakening: Common Ground (by Heath Sandees) -Michelle Currie

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:21-30

          – Cris Hudson                           

After the reading, you may respond with “Thanks Be to God”

Sermon:  “I Contain Multitudes”                            -Stephen Fox                                                  

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 release, so wait upon the Lord.

                               Prayers of the People:

Silent Prayers                                               Pastoral Prayer     

Offertory:

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:       

Closing Hymn: Love Devine All Loves Excelling (verses 1-3) #366

Benediction                                                      

The peace of God be in your heart

The grace of God be in your words

The love of God be in your hands

The joy of God be in your soul

and in the song that your life sings.

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 our Guest Presider today, Stephen Fox and to our

Music Director, Michelle Currie.  Thanks to our Reader and Zoom Host.

Pastor’s Contact Info:

Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)

Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com. 

A Prayer For You

When you’re lonely I pray for you to feel love.

When you’re down I pray for you to feel joy.

When you’re troubled I pray for you to feel peace.

When things are complicated I pray for you to see simple beauty

in all things. When things are chaotic I pray for you to find inner silence.

When things look empty I pray for you to know hope.   Amen

Step out of the circle of time and into the circle of love.

                                                                                          -Rumi

You can never love another person unless you are equally involved in the beautiful but difficult spiritual work of learning to love yourself.

                                                                              John O’Donohue