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: Winter is a lesson about the fine art of loss and growth. Its lesson is clear; There is only one way out of struggle and that is by going into its darkness, waiting for the light, and being open to new growth. -Sr. Joan Chittister
Gathering Music: You’re Gonna Be OK (by Jenn Johnson/ Seth Mosley / Jeremy Riddle) – Jen Comeau & Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
Leader: Beyond our busyness, above the cold winter floor
there is a glory rising born of heaven and reaching out to each one of us,
All: A light that shines through the clouds, an invitation seeking all of who we are that transfigures the world
Leader: that transforms darkness into hope, that brings life from
a cross where old life ends and new life is born
All: In glory Jesus meets us here, raising us from the depths of
the valley to the height of the mountain, carrying the fullness of our humanity and bringing us hope. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Amazing Grace #649 vs. 1,2,3 & 5
Invocation:
God of many names and mystery beyond all our naming,
Persist in guiding us to a quiet measure of this moment,
That we might link heart to heart in the stillness and calm,
Leaving behind all of the concerns of yesterday and worries for tomorrow to gather at the shore of this quiet moment.
We who gather together today join in breath over breath
So that we might hold the beauty of this time in our hearts,
the gifts of winter in our lives and be grateful. Amen
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: Courage Is (by Jeff Andrea/Kira Leyden) -Jen Comeau & Michelle Currie
Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9, Winter’s Cloak by Joyce Rupp
Rich Westley
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Sermon: Spiritual Gifts in Winter Rev. Paula Norbert
Meditation 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
A Prayer for Ukraine:
Offertory: Simple Gifts (by Joseph Brackett) -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.
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: Come! Live In the Light! #749
Benediction:
The time has come to depart this holy place.
Be not afraid. The Spirit of the Living God
goes ahead of you, with you, guiding you.
May God bless you and keep you
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you
May God look kindly upon you and give you peace.
Postlude: 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.
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. Phone: 207-282-4172.
Many thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director & guest
musician today Jen Comeau.
Announcements:
Please join us for Mardi Gras this Tuesday, Feb 21st at 5:30 at the BPCC for a fun evening. All are Welcome!
Our Ash Wednesday Service will be Wednesday night at 6pm here and on Zoom.
Next Sunday, we will welcome new members to Union Church. We will offer a Time for the Children and for all Ages and it is the first Sunday in Lent. Bring a Friend!
Prayer for Ukraine
Composed by Metropolitan Bishop of Tbilisi on the 21st day of the war
One God of All,
God of Chesed (Loving-kindness),
Agape (Love) and
Rahmah (Compassion),
We offer these prayers and supplications to You,
Believing that You, our hope and our salvation,
Have heard our cries,
Have seen our tears,
Have felt our pain,
Have been with the suffering on all sides,
Have been with those who run for their lives,
Have been with those hiding in subway stations, churches, mosques, synagogues,
Have been with mothers giving birth in shelters and bombarded hospitals,
Have been with the mutilated, maimed and murdered,
Have been with those experiencing cruelty, inhumanity and injustice.
Bring healing to all victims of the war in Ukraine and to all of us,
Turn the hearts of the tyrants and oppressors towards love,
Turn the hearts of the fearful and tearful towards joy,
Turn the hearts of the merciless and ruthless towards compassion,
Turn the hearts of the unjust and unfair towards justice,
Turn the hearts of the distressed and oppressed towards hope.
Refresh our love for You,
Refresh our love for non-violence,
Refresh our love for our neighbors,
Refresh our love and care for all creation.
Deepen our ability to accept diversity,
Deepen our respect for all creation and its members,
Deepen our empathy for all those who are suffering,
Deepen our commitment to peace and justice.
Strengthen those who are wounded, captive, grieving or homeless,
Strengthen doctors, nurses and medical personnel who look after the wounded and sick,
Strengthen people and countries who receive the refugees from Ukraine,
Strengthen those who work tirelessly to overcome the horrors and deprivations of war.
Make us instruments of Your love,
Make us instruments of Your freedom,
Make all of us instruments of Your peace.
May bombs and bullets be banished,
May joy rain down upon the people of Ukraine, Georgia, Russia and the rest of world.
May we study war no more!
Amen.