Laity Sunday

Link to Sermon

Focus:  Sue Maccalous, Poem by Mary Oliver

Threshold Moment:  Heather Davis, “Acknowledging and Honoring our own Sensitive Selves”.

Welcome:  Stephen Fox

Call To Worship: Sandy Ragan

Hope does not just spring from the fact that there is light at the end of life’s tunnels, but from the fact that we do not have to crawl through. Ant Clemons

You gonn’ see there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

Keep your eyes on the road ahead.

And if you’re feelin’ lost in the night, it’s okay to cry,

just as long as you hold your head.

’Cause we’re on our way to better.

Better’s ahead, better’s ahead . . .

It gets worse ’fore it gets better,

but better days are comin’, I know.

Better Days – Ant Clemons from his recent musical hit “Better Days”

Gathering Music:    “My Sweet Lord” (George Harrison) – Michelle Currie                                          

Opening Prayer: Bob Sherman

May we now bow our heads. Dear Lord, It has been quite a year….. We are not sure that we have the 20/20 vision of the year 2020, but we know that You do. For the longest time it seems that:

• We have been fearful of dying….. yet, still we know that you are here.

• We have gotten ill….. yet, still we know that you are here,

• We have lost loved ones….. yet, still we know that you are here.

• We have been isolated and felt so lonely….. yet, still we know that you are here.

Lord, take our pain and fear. Lord, take our loss and loneliness. Let us rest in your arms. Let us feel safe and secure knowing that You are still in control———Then, Now and in the Future. Amen. Now please join in the prayer Jesus taught his disciples……

Lord’s Prayer

Opening Hymn: Draw the Circle Wide” (by Gordon Light, Mark A. Miller, Katherine Saxon) –  Patricia Mulholland

Chorus:  Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still.

                Let this be our song:  No one stands alone.

                Standing side by side……. 

                Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

Readings and Scripture:   Romans 5:1-5 Sue Maccalous

Shared Meditation: Stephen Fox, Heather Davis, Break out Groups.

Second Sight

By David Whyte

Sometimes, you need the ocean light,

and colors you’ve never seen before

painted through and evening sky.

Sometimes you need your God

to be a simple invitation,

not telling a word of wisdom.

Sometimes you need only the first shyness

that comes from being shown things

far beyond your understanding,

so that you can fly and become free

by being still and by being still here.

And then there are times you need to be

brought to ground by touch

and touch alone.

To know those arms around you

and to make your home in the world.

just by being wanted.

To see those eyes looking back at you,

as eyes should see you at last,

seeing you, as you always wanted to be seen,

seeing you, as you yourself

had always wanted to see the world

Music: Meditative Instrumental: “What the World Needs Now” (by Burt Bacharach) – 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:  Anne Murray

Closing Hymn: Here In This Place (Gather Us In)” – Michelle Currie

Benediction: Ardis Cretien “Grateful”

Postlude: “Go In Peace” Michelle Currie

Scripture Reading Romans 5: 1-5

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Thank you to all who participated today in our Laity Sunday Service:  Sue Maccalous, Heather Davis, Sandy Ragan, Bob Sherman, Patricia Mulholland, Anne Murray, Michelle Currie, our Zoom Host today, Jen Comeau, and of course all of you who participated and shared in today’s message.