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!
Gathering Music: Let It Be (by John Lennon/ Paul McCarthy)
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
Our God is a shepherding God.
Our God knows us by name.
Our God will never stop searching for us.
So if you feel lost, then know that God is seeking you.
If you feel found, then know that God will never leave.
This is the promise of scripture.
This is the promise of God’s love.
Let us worship our with-us God.
Call to confession
Friends, in the Christian tradition many have used “lost” and “found” labels to describe people “out there” versus people “in here.” Many have used “lost” and “found” language to create a
damaging dichotomy that Christians are found and non-Christians are lost. But the truth is, each and every one of us is a little bit lost and a little bit found from time to
time. Each and every one of us needs the love of the Good Shepherd. So join me in the prayer of confession, as people who know both ends of that spectrum. Join me as we go to God in prayer:
Prayer of confession
If God is a painter, let us be the brush.
If God is a musician, let us be the song.
If God is an architect, let us be the tools.
Let us be the hands. Let us be the builders.
But if God is a shepherd, who never stops seeking,
let us be willing to be found, no matter how lost we feel.
Our God is never far away. Forgive us for forgetting
this good news. Amen.
A Time for brief reflection
Prayer for illumination
Shepherding God, we know that we are all a little bit lost and a little bit found. No matter how far we wander, we can never wander from the bounds of Your grace. You look for us. You search for us. You call our name until your voice is hoarse. When we lose our way, you never stop seeking after us. So we pray, find us in this moment. Look for us and surround us with your presence, so that we might feel you near. With hope we pray,
with hope we listen. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Opening Hymn: Be Thou My Vision #450 vs. 1-3
Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21, Luke 15:1-7
Sermon: No One Left Behind Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Music: Meditative Instrumental~ Rob Duquette
Musical call to Prayer: Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Offertory: Come Healing (by Leonard Cohen) -Rob Duquette
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.
Dedication Prayer:
Closing Music: Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Blessing:
Postlude:
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.
*Please join us today directly following the Service as Don Chretien shares his experiences in Vietnam as we observe the 50th Anniversary since the end of the war.
Many thanks to our Music Director Michelle Currie, and special thanks to today’s Guest Musician, Rob Duquette.
or what mountains we climb, this God—
the God who walked the streets of Jerusalem,
shook hands with lepers,
patted children on the head,
and told stories of love—
is always close at hand.
So on the good days and the hard days,
on the mountains and in the valleys,
we believe that we are always being found.
Thanks be to God for a love like that.
Amen.
A Prayer for Those Who Served in Vietnam
Gracious God, we thank you for the men and women who served in Vietnam, often facing unimaginable hardships and sacrifices for our country.
We pray for those who carry the scars, both visible and invisible, of their service. Grant them healing, both physical and emotional. May they find comfort in the love of their families and friends, and may they know that they are not alone in their struggles.
We ask for peace of mind for those who still struggle with the memories of war. May we honor them by supporting them in their time of need, and by working towards a more peaceful and just world. We pray for a future where peace and justice prevail, We ask for your guidance and blessings on all our veterans, and we pray that they may find peace, happiness, and fulfillment in their lives. Amen.
Prayer for Justice
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world
as your love would have it:
a world where the weak are protected,
and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the riches of creation are shared,
and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races and cultures
live in harmony and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice,
and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Author Unknown