Focus: We’re all just walking each other home. — Ram Dass
Threshold Moment: Sons of Korah Psalm 130
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
L: In times of trouble, when all seemed hopeless,
I cried out to God.
P: And the Lord heard my pleas and answered me.
L: When I felt lost and alone, I looked for God.
P: And God found me and brought me home.
L: When my life was filled with joy and blessing,
I danced and praised God.
P: And God danced and rejoiced with me. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
Gathering Music: I Hope You Dance (by Tia Sillers/Mark D. Sanders) -Michelle Currie
Opening Prayer:
Gracious God, we come this day, having seen the miracles of everyday creation in our world. We have enjoyed both the bright sunshine and the gentle rains. We have marveled over the beauty of flowers and the complexity of your creation. Make our hearts ready to receive your word for us, that we may go forth from this place ready to joyfully serve you all of our days. AMEN..
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Opening Hymn: I Dreamed of Rain (by Jan Garrett)
-Michelle Currie
Readings and Scripture: I Don’t Want to Live a Small Life by Mary Oliver,Psalm 138, Romans 12: 9-16b -Rich Westley
Sermon: Looking Back, Looking Ahead- Small Groups
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Music: Meditative Instrumental ~God of the Sparrow (by Jaroslav J Vajda) -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:
Closing Music: Blest Be The Ties That Bind -Michelle Currie
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.
Benediction:
Go now in peace, knowing the miracles that God has produced in your life. Be assured that there are still more miracles to come. Bear witness to God’s love to all you meet. In the name of the Creator, the Holy One who resides with you always, go in peace. AMEN.
Postlude: Go In Peace
Our Readings for Today
I Don’t Want to Live a Small Life
I don’t want to live a small life. Open your eyes,
open your hands. I have just come
from the berry fields, the sun
kissing me with its golden mouth all the way
(open your hands) and the wind-winged clouds
following along thinking perhaps I might
feed them, but no I carry these heart-shapes
only to you. Look how many small
but so sweet and maybe the last gift
I will bring to anyone in this
world of hope and risk, so do
Look at me. Open your life, open your hands.
Mary Oliver
Psalm 138
138:1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
138:2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
138:3 On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
138:5 They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
138:6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Romans 12: 9-16b
12:9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
12:10 Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
12:11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;