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: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
Gathering Music: How Can I Keep From Singing? (by Robert Wadsworth Lowry) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
A Time To Remember:
Responsive Call to Worship: Luke 1:78-79
Leader: “By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.’
All: Merciful God: We come together to worship longing
for tenderness because this world can be hard.
Leader: We come longing for light because our lives are
crowded with shadows.
All: We come desperately needing direction. Fill us
this morning with your peace:
your spirit is our peace and our path.
Opening Hymn On Eagles Wings # 43 vs. 1-4
Invocation:
We are strangers to one another, O God, but never to you. You know the longing of our souls, the sighs too deep for words. In sleeping and in waking, in quiet and in confusion, in despair and in hope, in silence and in sound, you hear the cries of our hearts.
Come this day, O God, and dwell among us. Come, and turn our
Sorrows into singing, our cares into commitment, our bleak memories into bright promise. Come, and make all things new.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) (by Alan Jackson) -Michelle Currie
Readings: “Who are We, O God?” Isaiah 50:4-9a -Sue Maccalous
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Sermon: Sustaining the Weary Rev. Shirley Bowen,
Executive Director, Seeds of Hope
Sermon Response: Only Time (by Enja) / Meditative Instrumental
-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: Be Thou My Vision # 450 vs. 1-3
Benediction:
For all who now leave here comforted and emboldened to live by your Word of truth, We ask your blessing. May we go on our way to bless bread for the hungry in body and spirit; May we go on our way to bring Easter into the lives of the hopeless and hurting; May we go on our way to be your heart and hands in this unbelieving and forgetful world. AMEN.
Recessional: 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
Thank you, always, to our wonderful Music Director, Michelle Currie.
Thank you also to our wonderful guest preacher,
Rev. Shirley Bowen.
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.