Reflections for March 3rd, 2024

Link to Sermon

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: “To walk the spiritual path is to continually step out into the unknown.”                                   – Wallace Huey

Gathering Music:  A Random Act of Senseless Kindness (Jerry Alan Williams/Gary Baker)                                             -Michelle Currie

Welcome:  

Call To Worship: 

One: Again and again, 

All: We come to this space. 

One: Again and again, 

All: We gather as a community. 

One: Again and again, 

All: We move closer to God. 

One: And again and again

All: God is here. 

One: We are met. 

All: We are heard.

One: We are shown the way. 

All: So again and again,

Let us worship holy God. 

c a l l t o c o n f e s s i o n

In this moment to consider our lives, we pause to take a moment to think about the choices we make that are not what our God wants for our lives.

                     p r a y e r o f c o n f e s s i o n

One: God of Justice, We are guilty of building tables that do not always include everyone.  We are guilty of forgetting where we are and whose we are.

All: For you taught that the temple was for worship

And your message was for all. 

One: God of our hearts,  Be in our decision making. 

One: Draw near to our choices. Forgive our mistakes. 

One: And as you do, 

All: Flip every table, habit, belief, or point of view that 

needs adjusting. 

One: With hope we pray for a better day. Amen. 

                             w o r d s o f f o r g i v e n e s s

The good news is that God came and walked this earth to show us the way. Jesus came to point us to restoration and walked with us so that we might be forgiven. Friends, we are held, loved, and forgiven by a just and merciful God.  Thanks be to God for a love like that. 

                        p r a y e r f o r i l l u m i n a t i o n

Creator God, We don’t just want to listen. We want to

hear you. We want to hear Your words resonate within our hearts and lives. So turn our hearts toward you, Just as you turned strangers into disciples. Turn our ears toward you,  Just as you turned tables in the temple. We are listening.  Amen. 

Lord’s Prayer

Opening Hymn: We are Called                                #749

Readings: A Prayer for Justice, John 2:13-22 

                                                          -Rev. Lamar Robinson

Reflection:                                             Rev. Paula Norbert

                    Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

            Words of Invitation        The Bread and The Cup

    Prayer of Thanksgiving

Music:  Meditative Instrumental (Arr. Michelle Currie)  -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.                               Michelle Currie

                          Prayers of the People             

           Silent Prayers               Pastoral Prayer

Offertory: Speak Lord I’m Listening (Gary Ault)         -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 Music:  

Blest be the tie that binds your hearts in Christian love

the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.    

Blessing:  

Postlude:  Go In Peace