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: Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy…As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. Isaiah 66
Gathering Music: A Mother’s Love (by Amy Jill Jordan/Steve Mackinnon) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
L: We gather together this morning to worship our loving, nurturing God,
All: Who, like a mother, knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally,
L: Who teaches us the way we should go, and comforts us in times of need.
All: Praise God, the Source and Sustainer of life.
Opening Hymn: Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth #7
Mothering God, you gave me birth in the bright morning of this world.
Creator source of every breath, you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
Mothering Christ, you took my form, offering me your food of light, grain of life, and grape of love, your very body for my peace.
Mothering Spirit, nurturing one, in arms of patience hold me close, so that in faith I root and grow until I flower, until I know.
Invocation: Together, let us pray…
Come, Mother God, come as an enfolding nurturing
presence, come as steadfast love to hold us.
Come, Mother God, come as an enabling strengthening force, come as love that allows us to find our pathways in life. Come, Mother God, come as friend and comforter healing our wounds, walking our way, come as wounded healer to make us whole. (by Kate McIlhagga)
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Let It Be (by John Lenon/ Paul McCartney)
– Michelle Currie
Scripture: Acts 9:36-49; Proverbs 31:15, 17, 20, 25-28;
John 14: 1-4, -Stephen Fox
Sermon: Gifts from the Table Rev. Paula Norbert
Sermon Response: Meditative Instrumental ~ Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings re-lease, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Closing Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee #611
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee; earth and heaven reflect thy rays; stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowering fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.
Mortals, join the happy chorus which the morning stars began.
Love divine is reigning o’er us, joining all in heaven’s plan.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife.
Joyful music leads us sun-ward in the triumph song of life.
Benediction “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13)
Go now in the comfort and peace of the One who gave birth to us. Go to give comfort and peace to others. Divine Wisdom guide us as we go forth on Your paths of peace. Amen! Alleluia!
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.