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: “Listening creates a holy silence. When you listen generously to people, they can hear truth in themselves, often for the first time. And in the silence of listening, you can know yourself in everyone. Eventually you may hear, in everyone and beyond everyone, the Unseen singing softly to itself and you.”
—Rachel Naomi Remen, Kitchen Table Wisdom, Stories that Heal
Gathering Music: Christ Has Broken Down the Wall (by Mark A. Miller)
-Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Opening Hymn: Day By Day
LYRICS
Day by day, day by day
Oh dear Lord, three things I pray
To see Thee more clearly, love The more clearly
Follow Thee more nearly day by day
Gathering Prayer: The act of simply coming together is “revolutionary,” which in its earliest form meant “finding a course around a central point.” We gather around the Light of Christ as the center and guiding light of our lives. This becomes our point of reference for our relationships and our love in the world. This is our “humility revolution.” Let us pray:
Creator God, we ask you to come close and remind us
of our belovedness as your children, for we are feeling
distant. Open our eyes to the beauty and pain we all contain,
and invite us to “do unto others” in ways that build up your
kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this in the name
of Jesus, the Center That Holds, and in the power of the Spirit That Transforms. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: All Good Gifts, Godspell (by Stephen Schwartz) -Michelle Currie
A Prayer for Peace: Let us take a deep breath together…
The rhythm of our breath and heartbeat is the same.
Our desire for life and love is the same.
Our desire for a peace in which we flourish is the same.
Let this moment permeate our souls,
and let us pass the peace of Christ between us.
This peace is meant for all people.
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6, Luke 6: 43-49 -Cris Hudson
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Sermon: Grounded in Love and Openness Rev. Paula Norbert
Music: 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: Do Unto Others (by Vicki Hancock Wright) -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: Let there be Peace on Earth
LYRICS
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth the peace that was mean’t to be
With God, our Creator, family all our we
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony
Let peace begin with me let this be the moment now
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me
Benediction:
May the Holy One show you the way
to Do Unto Others in a spirit of Humility.
May the Christ whose Light is the Center of All-That-Is
ground you in the assurance that no one is outside of love.
May the Spirit show forth through you in extraordinary acts
you never imagined you had the power to achieve.
And may you know the peace that surpasses all understanding,
especially when it is difficult to understand.
And may the people say, “Amen!”
Postlude: Go In Peace