Holy Moments: Celebrating the Gifts of Life

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:  But listen to me    For one moment quit being sad

Hear blessings dropping their blossoms all around you.            Rumi

Gathering Music:  Water Is Wide (Traditional Scottish Folk Song)

 -Rob Duquette

Welcome:

Call To Worship:

L:  We gather as God’s beloved children –

However glad we are, however out of sorts we are.

All:  As the sun rises in the morning,

As the cool breeze ushers in the evening,

L:  As the heat of the noonday sun spreads across the land:

All:  God is present with us.

Let us worship God.

Opening Hymn: Morning Has Broken                                   #664

Invocation: A Blessing of the Morning

Lords Prayer:                      

Awakening:  Let There Be Light (by Steph Macleod)  -Rob Duquette

Scripture:    Psalm 1481-6, 11-14:, Luke 12:22-27,32,34  -Sue Maccalous

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

Sermon:    Blessed are We                                     -Rev. Paula Norbert                  

Sermon Response:   Meditative Instrumental      ~  Rob Duquette

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: Simple Gifts ~                                   Rob Duquette

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:  Be Thou My Vision                   #450   vs 1-3

Benediction: 

May the blessing of God go before you.

May her grace and peace abound.

May her Spirit live within you.

May her love wrap you ’round.

May her blessing remain with you always.

May you walk on holy ground.

Closing: Go In Peace

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.

Our thanks to Rob Duquette for offering our Music today. 

Pastor’s Information:  Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)

Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com.  Church Address: Union Church, P.O. Box 344, B.P. ME.  04006

                      Announcements:

Speaker Series:  Thanks to all of our volunteers for a wonderful

evening last Thursday night with our guests from The Telling Room.  Our next event will take place on July 28th.

Coffee and Light Refreshments-will be offered today and after the Service over the coming weeks in the Memorial Garden until 11:30.In an effort to keep things simple, we will handle the food and are not in need of any further donations.  Looking forward to seeing you there! 

Local Opportunities: Sunday, July 17th, The Declaration of

Independence was read July 24th, 1776 on the steps of the First Parish Meetinghouse (c.1759).   Join the Biddeford Historical Society to celebrate that historical event with a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Paul McDonough, President, will speak to the significance of local leaders of that time and the impact on the community of early Biddeford.  Doors open at 1:30 p.m., program at 2:00 p.m. 

We look forward to seeing you at the Meetinghouse!

July 23rd (sold out), August 13th, August 27th, September 4th:   Saco River and Outer Island History Tour.  Paul McDonough will host the second annual historic Saco River Cruise, each limited to 6 people on a first come first served basis.  Admission: $80, helps to meet our financial needs with the upkeep of our treasured First Parish Meetinghouse (c. 1759).  Once again Captain Mike Massey will employ his noble vessel the Marion B., a beautiful 28-foot vessel.  The cruises begin at the Maine State launch on the Pool Rd. (Rt. 9) in Biddeford and lasts approx 2 hours.  RSVP to: https://www.biddefordhistoricalsociety.org/Events_Saco-River-Cruise_2022.html