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: Heavenly Rays, As summer into autumn slips,
O give me grace today, To rise and turn as summer’s leaves
Draw life and strength from heavenly rays. Emily Dickinson
Gathering Music: Secret O’ Life (by James Taylor) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
All: Life that is really life
Leader: Comes from the One we trust.
All: Life that is really life
L: Comes from the Presence we call to.
All: Life that is really life
L: Comes from the Foundation of goodness and sharing.
All: Life that is really life
L: Comes to us now in this moment.
All: Let us take hold of the Life we have been given
A Moment for Gratitude:
As we gather our hearts and minds for this time of worship,
let us share those moments for which we are grateful, giving thanks
for the wonder and awe of living in God’s Way Together. I invite
you to share something…
Opening Hymn: Give Thanks #647
Invocation:
In the fading of the summer sun, the shortening of days,
cooling breeze, swallows’ flight and moonlight rays,
We see the Creator’s hand and we give thanks.
In the browning of leaves once green, morning mists,
autumn chill, fruit that falls and frost’s first kiss,
We see the Creator’s hand and we give thanks. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Fire & Rain (by James Taylor) -Michelle Currie
A Time for the Children and for the Young at Heart: Pastor Paula
Scripture: Psalm 30, Matthew 11:1, 25,28-29 -Maureen White
“I am Listening”, a reading on Autumn’s arrival
After the readings, you may respond, “Thanks be to God”
Sermon: Looking Back, Looking Forward 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 release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory Invitation:
In thanksgiving for our shared life together,
let us share our offerings for the work of the church.
Offetory Music: Sinple 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: How Great Thou Art #625 vs. 1,2 &4
Benediction
Now go forth my friends…
Surrounded by the power of the Holy One,
May we experience life that is really life and be present
To the moments of our lives…
Let the people of God say, Amen.
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.
Thank you to our Music Director, Michelle Currie and to our Zoom Host and Reader today.
Announcements:
We have a new Facebook page with thanks to Sharon Gaudin. Please visit and follow at Union-Church-BP-Maine. Invite your friends to follow it too. You may find the new link on the FB page of our earlier UC page or find the link in the weekly email message from the Pastor.
Strategic Planning: We have 3 sessions scheduled and there are sign ups on the table at the entry to the church. We would love to have as many of you join us as possible!
Please see our Weekly email message for more information and details on the Facebook page and other information that may be of interest to you. Thanks!
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.
For Your Reflection…
As the light of dawn awakens earth’s creatures
and stirs into song the birds of the morning
so may I be brought to life this day.
Rising to see the light
to hear the wind
to smell the fragrance of what grows from the ground
to taste its fruit
and touch its textures
so may my inner senses be awakened to you
so may my senses be awakened to you, O God.
Celtic Benediction
“Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself.” William Martin
I go among trees and sit still.
All my stirring becomes quiet
around me like circles on water.
My tasks lie in their places
where I left them, asleep like cattle.
Then what is afraid of me comes
and lives a while in my sight.
What it fears in me leaves me,
and the fear of me leaves it.
It sings, and I hear its song.
Then what I am afraid of comes.
I live for a while in its sight.
What I fear in it leaves it,
and the fear of it leaves me.
It sings, and I hear its song.
After days of labor,
mute in my consternations,
I hear my song at last,
and I sing it. As we sing,
the day turns, the trees move.
+ Wendell Berry