In Celebration of Workers and Teachers

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In Celebration of Workers and Teachers

             You are welcome here 

              September 5, 2021

I’ve Got The Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy  (lyrics)

     (1)I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart

Down in my heart

Down in my heart

I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay

       *Chorus

And I’m so happy, so very happy

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

And I’m so happy, so very happy

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

(2)I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart

Down in my heart

Down in my heart

I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay      *Chorus

(3) I’ve got the love of Jesus down in my heart

Down in my heart

Down in my heart

I’ve got the love of Jesus down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay    *Chorus

                     The Litany of Work

We give thanks, O God, for the work of our lives. We praise you, God

For the work of our hands, We praise you, God.

For the work of our minds, We praise you, God

For the work of our hearts, We praise you, God

Response to all: We praise you, God.

For the enlightening work of teachers, librarians, students and coaches,

For the healing work of doctors, nurses and counselors,

For the creative work of artists, musicians, painters and sculptors,

For the precise work of engineers, scientists and computer specialists,

For the nurturing work of homemakers, parents and guardians,

For the wise work of retirees and grandparents,

For the proclaiming work of writers, photographers, editors and publishers,

For the trustworthy work of accountants, bankers, lawyers, politicians and salespeople,

For the faith-filled work of ordained, religious and lay ministers,

For the protective work of police, firefighters and military personnel,

For the dedicated work of secretaries, receptionists and bookkeepers,

For the compassionate work of volunteers,

For the judicious work of managers, administrators, directors and supervisors,

For the fruitful work of farmers, fishers, growers and gardeners,

For the steadfast work of those who manufacture products,

For the constructive work of builders, surveyors, architects, masons and carpenters,

For the efficient work of those who transport people and things by bus, train, plane, taxi, truck and boat,

For the hospitable work of cooks, waiters, and waitresses, cashiers, hotel and motel workers,

For the faithful work of all those keeping store shelves stocked and making things we use to meet our daily needs,

For the clarifying work of television, radio and news media workers,

For the dependable work of telephone and postal workers,

For the good of all other workers,

For our work that sheds light on the darkness, We praise you, God.

For our work that creates order from chaos, We praise you, God.

For our work that builds peace out of hostility, We praise you, God.

For our work that helps others, We praise you, God

For our work that serves others, We praise you, God.

For our work that empowers others, We praise you, God.

For our work that inspires others, We praise you, God.

For our work that enriches and ennobles all creation, We praise you, God.

(Written by David and Angela Kauffman. 1992. SFOs have permission to use this but it must be distributed without charging money for the Litany)

                          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:  “Education is a once in a lifetime opportunity to open children’s hearts and minds to the unbelievable wonder of the

universe.”                                                              Sir Anthony Seldon

9:25 Preparation for worship:

Gathering Music:   There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy          -Michelle Currie

Responsive Call to Worship:   

Leader: Where are Jesus’ disciples, who thirst to know God’s ways?

Congregation: We follow Christ’s example, and learn from one another!

Leader: Thanks be to God for new beginnings, for new opportunities to learn together!

Congregation: We follow Christ’s example, and learn from one another!

Opening Hymn:  Blest Are They                                  #172    vs. 1-4

Invocation: 

Rabbi, Teacher Jesus,

You who taught thousands

And yet were willing to learn from the least of these,

We confess that we pretend to know

When in truth we still wonder.

Forgive our pretense,

That we may open ourselves to unexpected teachers,

To fresh ideas. To one another.  To you.

Vulnerable Christ, You who lived in generous love,

We confess that we have at times closed ourselves off,

That we have seen so much suffering

That we stop looking

Rather than see and respond to those in need.

Forgive our neglect  That we may care for one another

And follow in the example you set for us.  In your name we pray. Amen

Lords Prayer:          

Baptism of Finley James Maurice Wheeler, son of Jennifer Harris and Jess Wheeler          

Awakening:  I Believe  (by Jimmy Shirl/Irvin Drake)       -Michelle Currie 

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23,  Matthew 20:1-16 

-Nancy Batchelor

    After the reading, you may  respond, “Thanks be to God.”       

Meditation: In honor of work and workers              Rev. Paula Norbert    

                    Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

          Words of Invitation        The Bread and The Cup

Communion Response:  Meditative Instr./ Baby Mine (by Frank

Churchill/Ned Washington)  -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

Closing Hymn:   I’ve Got The  Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy   *See Lyric Insert

Benediction:  We give thanks for these moments together of prayer and worship. Go now in great expectancy,

knowing that teachers can be found

in every corner of creation.    Amen.

Recessional: 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.

Thank you, always, to our wonderful Music Director, Michelle Currie, our musician  today.

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

If you are interested in joining Union Church or would like to set up a time to meet with our Pastor, please contact Pastor Paula directly. 

Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com.  Church Address: Union Church, P.O. Box 344, B.P. ME.  04006.  Union Church Office: North Dam Mill Building 18, Suite 221, 2 Main St., Biddeford.  (207) 602-6237.