Celebrating Prophetic Leadership
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: “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free…so other people would also be free.” -Rosa Parks
Gathering Music: Peace Round (old English canon)
– Patricia Mulholland & The UC Choir
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
Leader: God of our ancestors and God of our dreams,
we gather today to remember that you have created us all in
Your image and in your likeness.
All: And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
L: We remember how you spoke into the darkness and created light.
All: And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
L: We remember the ways you have delivered your people
through trials and tribulations since the beginning of time,
right up until this present moment.
All: And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossible.
L: God you have been the guiding light along the paths of Hope
and Love leading toward a beloved community where all are
equally seen and radically loved
All: And so, we still have the courage to dream the impossble.
We gather today remembering your presence amongst us and the call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you and our neighbors.
Opening Hymn: Precious Lord, Take My Hand # 834 vs 1 & 2 *Repeat vs 1
Invocation: Loving God, You led your chosen people from slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land. We ask you to lead us, from any enslavement to hatred, ignorance, fear, racism, injustice or apathy that prevents us from being the community of love and respect that you want us to be. We remember with gratitude today the witness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and we ask that we have the courage and determination to follow his example in battling injustice and living the Gospel of love. Help us to become the community of hope that you want us to be. Grant all this through Christ our Lord, Amen
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: Shed A Little Light (by James Taylor) -Michelle Currie
Scripture Reading: Amos 5:24, Isaiah 1:17, Psalm 82: 1-4,
Matthew 3: 13-17 -Dick Bennett
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Sermon: Walking In Peace – Rev. Paula Norbert
Contemplative Music: Meditative Instrumental
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: My Sweet Lord (by George Harrison) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: We Shall Overcome # 379
Benediction:
God, we see you at work still creating a just world for all.
We leave empowered by the fresh winds of change
and the dream that is before us to be God’s hands, and feet and
heart in this world today, tomorrow and forever. Amen.
Postlude: 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.
Many thanks to our Music Director, Michelle Currie, Choir
Director Patricia Mulholland & The UC Choir
Thanks to our reader and Deacons this day.
Annual Meeting: We will hold our Annual Meeting directly following the Service next Sunday, January 25th. We hope you will join us as we share updates and approve our annual budget. Thank you.
A Gathering: What Then Must We Do? An invitation to gather and share our prayers, concerns and ideas about how we, as people of faith and followers of Jesus, might respond in times such as these.
Tuesday, January 27, 10am, BPCC. FMI: Pastor Paula.