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: “Laughter is carbonated holiness.” – Anne Lamott
“It is cheerful to God when you rejoice or laugh from the bottom of your heart.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.”
– L.M. Montgomery
Gathering Music: Jesus Laughing (by Mark Lowry) -Michelle Currie
Responsive Call to Worship:
Leader: Sing a new song, A springtime shout-out to new life and to the joy of this Easter Season.
People: Sing praise to our joyful Easter God Whose power brings new life out of death.
Leader: Grant us peace and hope each day.
People: Our visions and hopes are refreshed, made new.
Leader: For God has taken ordinary things And made them extraordinary. God has turned our tears into dancing.
All: Sing a New Song!
Opening Hymn: Here In This Place p. 401 vs. 1 ,2 & 4
Invocation:
O Great Laughing God, we come into your presence with joy and longing to be surprised. We thank you that you have given to us the gift of laughter and delight. These things give hints as to the nature of your purpose for us and for all the earth. May we find that in giving up to laughter there is healing and hope and abundance and blessing. Tickle our souls with the brush of your Spirit to renew our worship and our living. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Get Happy (Harold Arlen) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Psalm 126, Luke 24:36b-48 -Bruce Fenlason
After the readings, you may respond “Thanks Be to God.”
Reflections: Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Meditative Instrumental ~
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.
Offertory: Here Comes the Sun (George Harrison) -Michelle Currie
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.
Prayers of the People: See Insert
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Closing Hymn: In the Bulb There is a Flower p.250 vs. 1 & 2
Benediction
May God grant you a soul that treasures all that is good, doesn’t frighten easily when life goes awry, and finds the means to hold things in their place. May God grant you the good humor to take a joke, discover joy in life, and share love with others. May God, our Creator, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you and keep you this day and forever more. Amen
Postlude: Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Announcements:
Small Group Discussion: Tuesday, April 23, 10am. Last fall, a group of us gathered to discuss David Brook’s column on his latest book about having deep and meaningful conversations with others. Let’s gather to share a conversation about what your faith, your spirituality has meant for your life, including the ups and downs and hard questions that you have sought to explore. Limit 7. Sign up at church. If there is enough interest, we will hold two sessions.
Happy 160th Birthday to Union Church! In April of 1864, our church sought to be recognized by the town of Biddeford. We will celebrate this special occasion during Worship on April 28th with Music Sunday. Invite a friend to celebrate with us!
Later that day, Peter McPheeters will share a history of our church and the community of the Pool at 4pm here at the church.
With thanks to our Music Director, Michelle Currie and to our Deacons and our Reader today.