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: “What we could not fathom doing when we were young, we find great joy in when we are old. Like the seasons through which we move, life itself is a never-ending series of harvests, a different fruit for every time.” Sister Joan Chittister
Gathering Music: Seasons of Love (by Jonathan Larson) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Call to Worship:
L: As the rains pour from heaven, soaking the earth that it may produce good things….
P: So God pours God’s love upon us, that we, too, may produce goodness and peace.
L: We have been blessed with many gifts and talents.
P: God desires that we use these gifts and talents for healing, peace, and hope.
L: Come, let us worship and celebrate the mighty love and power of God.
P: Praise be to God who has blessed us in so many ways.
Opening Hymn: Be Thou My Vision #450 vs. 1-3
Invocation:
Lord, everywhere we look we see the imprint of your creative love. Every season and the wondrous works of nature show your majesty. As we gather today to celebrate your love and creation, keep us mindful that we are part of that created order, meant to be compassionate
caretakers. Inspire us to work for your peace and justice. AMEN.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Circle of Life (by Elton John) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Psalm 90:1-4,12, Psalm 104, Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
-Nancy Batchelor
After the readings, you may respond with “Thanks Be to God.”
Sermon: Seasons of Our Lives Rev. Paula Norbert
Sermon Response: Meditative Instr. ~Watermark (by Enja)-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
Offertory: Simple Gifts (by Elder 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: We Are One in the Spirit #300 vs. 1-3
Benediction:
You have been called to serve our Creator with gladness. Go from this place knowing that God’s blessings have been poured on you so that you may be a blessing to others. Be at peace and bring the good news of God’s love and peace to all whom you meet. AMEN.
Closing: Go In Peace
Recessional:
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.
Our thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director, and to our reader and Zoom Host today.
Pastor’s Information: Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)
Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com. Church Address: Union Church, P.O. Box 344, B.P. ME. 04006
Reflections on the Seasons:
“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” – Henry David Thoreau.
“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.” – Anne Frank.
“Embrace the current season of your life.” – Gabrielle Blair.
39. “The only way to fully know the soul of a mountain is to live all its seasons and all its heights and the same thing is valid for people as well- Mehmet Murat Ildan.
40. “The sun shines different ways in winter and summer. We shine different ways in the seasons of our lives.” – Terri Guillemets.
A blessing for being someone’s person by Kate Bowler
Blessed are the noticers.
The ones who see the story in its fullness.
Blessed are the attend-ers.
The witness-bearers.
The story-holders.
The ones who tiptoe to the edge right alongside us,
knowing that the very act will break their heart in pieces too.
Blessed are those who are amazed by a life lived
in its fragility, its brevity, its beauty.
Blessed are the ones who stand close enough to say:
“BEHOLD.”
BEHOLD.
This is their love.
This is their dumb hobby.
These are the people they loved through every hilarious
failure.
These are their bad habits and favorite songs.
This is the marvel I get to know.
Behold. This is not a problem to be solved. This is a person
to be loved.
And how lucky are we?
These people.
These loves.
These precious, precious, precious days.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
A Prayer Blessing…
Gardener God
Forgive us for the times we have kept our seeds in the packet
For the times we’ve been too scared to risk, too selfish
to love, too embarrassed to try
Gardener God, have mercy on us
Forgive us for where we have let weeds grow in the soil
of our lives
For the times we have forgotten to pray,
for the days when we don’t bother to listen,
for the moments when we neglect the stirring of your spirit
Gardener God, have mercy on us
Forgive us for when we have trampled on the seedlings of
others
Through careless words or outright criticism,
through envy or feeling threatened,
through being insensitive or wrapped up in ourselves
Gardener God, have mercy on us
Forgive us for when we think it’s all down to us
When we forget that to grow we need the earth of
our community,
The water of other people’s contribution,
The sunshine of your favour,
The nutrients that come through conversation and challenge
Gardener God, have mercy on us
Amen
Jonny Baker