Healing and Hope May 22, 2022
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: “The place of true healing is a fierce place. It’s a giant place. It’s a place of monstrous beauty and endless dark and glimmering light. And you have to work
really, really, really hard to get there, but you can do it.” – Cheryl Strayed
“When I stand before thee at the day’s end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing.”
– Rabindranath Tagore
Gathering Music: Blackbird (by Paul McCartney) -Jen Comeau
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
Many: Let the Creator be home among us
One: In our hearts, may God be welcome
Many: May God’s love shape our every thought
One: May our actions lead to God’s justice
Many: May our words be words of life
One: May God’s Spirit lead us
Many: May God’s peace dwell within us
All: Amen.
Opening Hymn: Be Thou My Vision #450 vs 1-3
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art; thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord. thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower; raise thou me heaven-ward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Invocation:
God of grace, you nurture us with a love deeper than any
we know, and your hope for us is always healing and salvation. God of love, you enter into our lives, our pain, and our
brokenness, and you stretch out your healing hands to us
wherever we are. God of strength, you fill us with your presence and instill within us the power of healing and love for ourselves and for our neighbors. We thank you for this time to be with you seeking renewal and inspiration. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Give Yourself to Love (by Kate Wolf) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:14-18, Psalm 147, Matthew 11:1-7, 28
-Sharon Gaudin
After the readings, you may respond “Thanks Be to God.”
Reflection: My Story of Healing Nancy Batchelor
Sermon Response: Meditative Instr. ~ 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:
Litany of Prayers for Healing: (See Insert)
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.
Closing Hymn: Amazing Grace #649 vs 1-3
Benediction May the healing love of God go with us. May God’s love
saturate our memories. May God’s healing love overwhelm us. God is love. As we carry God’s love within us, may we carry God’s love to the world around us. Go forth in the love of God. Amen.
Many thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director, and to Jen Comeau our musician today, and to Sharon Gaudin, our reader.
Pastor’s Contact Info: Pnorbert1217@gmail.com or cell: 207-205-4951.