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: “God places us in the world as his fellow workers-agents of transfiguration. We work with God so that injustice is transfigured into justice, so there will be more compassion and caring, that there will be more laughter and joy, that there will be more togetherness in God’s world.”
-Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Gathering Music: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (by Chris Rice) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Responsive Call to Worship:
One: Something drew us together this morning
All: Something we can’t name but which we experience in worship
One: Some holy mystery we call God
All: Some sacred calling we hear in the life of Jesus
One: Some indescribable hope we feel when we gather in the Spirit
All: May our experience of the Divine transform our doubts and fears
and prepare us to love the world.
Opening Hymn: Amazing Grace *See Lyric Insert
Invocation:
O God, you are beyond words and description,
your love is beyond knowledge and explanation.
Make our hearts ready to receive you.
Change us, we pray, that our lives may reflect the glory of your transfiguration.
We rejoice in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Beautiful Things (by Gungor) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9: 28-36 -Paul Schlaver
After the readings, you may respond with “Thanks Be to God.”
Sermon: Transformation and Suffering 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
Closing Hymn: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service *See Lyric Insert
Benediction Rev. Paula Norbert
May God now send us back down the mountain of our worship.
We have been changed.
We can’t be silent anymore.
We have seen the Light of the World.
Go and share the radiance of love!
Response: 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 today, Barbara Fortier.
AMAZING GRACE (Lyrics)
1.Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
2.‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
3.When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than we’d first begun.
CALLED AS PARTNERS IN CHRIST’S SERVICE (Lyrics)
1.Called as partners in Christ’s service called to ministries of grace
we respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing side by side and friend with friend
Equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.
2.So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life
that surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living our compassion to increase
messengers of faith thus giving hope and confidence and peace.
Pastor’s contact info:
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.