Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

O brooding God, as your Spirit hovered over creation in fresh wind and new breath, so let your Spirit blow over us today with the breath of life.  Take away the chaos of our lives, and the tiredness of our souls. May your Spirit move within us here today and then move us outward to proclaim our faith in word and deed. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       

Call To Worship 2

ALL: O for a thousand tongues to sing sweet praise!

ONE: O rushing wild spirit of God pour out the fire of love upon us! Unfurl your language upon our lips, unlock our minds to embrace all possibility Unleash our hearts so Your justice flows freely.

ALL: O for a thousand tongues to sing sweet praise!

ONE: O rushing wild spirit of God pour out the fire of love upon us! May your breeze bring health and wholeness, may your breath heat our resolve, may your Spirit storm the earth with mercy and grace.

ALL: O for a thousand tongues to sing sweet praise!

ONE: O rushing wild spirit of God pour out the fire of love upon us! Set us free from self-doubt, make us listeners as we seek awareness, shake us awake when we forget our privilege.

ALL: O for a thousand tongues to sing sweet praise!

ONE: O rushing wild spirit of God pour out the fire of love upon us! Let us worship God!

Hymn 610   O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Affirmation of Faith 3

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: John 20:19-23

                   1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Pilot Me     M. Johnson

Sermon     "An Introvert's Pentecost" or "Finding Purpose in your Baptism" Rev. Debra McGuire

Hymn 286     Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory          

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 291    Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 John William Lowe, Jr. Living Waters, Worship Resources for Congregational Life

2 Rev. Karla Miller, Minister of Community Life at Old North Church in Marblehead, MA. RevGalBlogPals

3  Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, adapted from “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective”

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God, we look for you all around us but always, you are as close as our own breath. You linger in our very flesh. Forgive us for our struggles to remember you linger, also, in the flesh of all our neighbors. The ones attacked, the ones policed, the ones condemned, the ones who are hungry, the ones turned away. In those we wound, you are wounded also, but when we honor the flesh of another, you are honored too. May it be so in us, Amen.

Welcome

Introit       I Owe My Lord a Morning Song     John L. Bell

Call To Worship 1

ONE: We, of many backgrounds and identities, personalities, and ideas, gather collectively in shared pursuit of the Sacred.

ALL: Together, we make up the body of Christ.

ONE: Wherever one of us is in pain,

ALL: our whole body aches.

ONE: Whenever one of us is cut off,

ALL: the whole body is wounded.

ONE: Whoever is kept away by discriminatory policies or practices or prejudices,

ALL: We need one another in order to be whole.  God make us the body of Christ as you envisioned. May we become your presence enfleshed, in service to the world and one another. Let us worship God!

Hymn 301   Let Us Build a House

Affirmation of Faith 2

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

                   Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem           O Christ, the Healer     J.S. Bach

Sermon   "What if?"   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 49  The God of Abraham Praise

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     When The Stars Begin To Fall     Traditional     

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 545   Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Liturgy Library

2 Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, adapted from “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective”

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God, the encourager, God, the compassionate, God, the merciful, holy, blessed: Disturb us. Rouse us from our sleep. Lift us into consciousness of your presence. Change us, move us, mold us for the better; so that, at the sound of your voice, at the call of our name, we will never be the same. May our worship do this and so much more, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       Morning Has Broken     Farjeon/Stevens/Simeone

Call To Worship 2

ALL: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

ONE: Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

ALL: Know that the Lord is God. It is God who made us, and we are God's; we are God's people and the sheep of God's pasture.

ONE: Enter God's gates with thanksgiving and God's courts with praise. Give thanks to God; bless God's name.

ALL: For the Lord is good; God's steadfast love endures forever and God's faithfulness to all generations. Let us worship God!

Psalm 100

Hymn 54   Make a Joyful Noise to God!

Affirmation of Faith 2

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8  

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem           Bright Morning Stars     Trad.  Spiritual, Arr. Alice Parker

Sermon    "Compassion"     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 707     Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     Be Thou my Vision     Trad. Irish, Arr. Russel Robinson     

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 634    To God Be the Glory

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 In the Name of Jesus…. Service Prayers for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Worship Ways -  United Church of Christ

2 Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, adapted from “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective”

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God of brilliant sunsets and shining rainbows, God of golden daffodils and glowing autumn leaves, God of all the blues of sunlit seas, God of all the greens in bush and field, in rivers and oceans and lakes, in rough stones on a beach and polished jewels in a showcase. God of people, brown and amber, pink and ebony, artistic and athletic, practical and visionary, compassionate and laughter-bringing. God who colours us a world of variety, we thank you. We thank you that you have made each of us unique, that you call us to contribute our special colours to the life around us. We come to you in thanksgiving and worship. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       Meet With Me     Lamont Hiebert

Call To Worship 1

ALL: The rainbow is a sign of diversity and hope, a reminder of the covenant made between God and humanity.

SINGERS: Red is the colour of strawberry and rose petal, passion and birth.  Sweet and vivacious, colour of life: red. Thank you God!

LONG HAIRED FOLKS: Orange is the colour of pumpkin and flame, warmth and compassion. Bright and enlivening, colour of healing: orange. Thank you God!

SHORT HAIRED FOLKS: Yellow is the colour of lemon and sun, joy and enthusiasm. Radiant and bold, colour of hope: yellow.  Thank you God!

LOVERS OF NATURE: Green is the colour of inchworm and pine, calm and growth. Restful and abundant, colour of nature: green. Thank you God!

ANYONE WEARING A RAINBOW: Blue is the colour of sky and mountain ridge, depth and inspiration.  Soaring and fluent, colour of harmony: blue. Thank you God!

FAVORITE COLOR IS PURPLE: Purple is the colour of grape and lilac, strength and dignity. Profound and majestic, colour of spirit: purple. Thank you God!

ALL: In God's sight, all humanity is a rainbow people. Come, let us worship God together!

Hymn 761   Called as Partners in Christ's Service     

Affirmation of Faith 3

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: Mark 9:2-8     

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    We Are A Rainbow     Brent Holmes

Sermon    Reverend Penny Nixon

Hymn 769     For Everyone Born

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     True Colors     Steinburg & Kelly     

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Welcome to the delight that is this table.  Our Lord's table.  Welcome to the table where the love of God meets Humanity.  We welcome everyone to this table, no matter your church background, your knowledge of biblical ideas, no matter your sexual orientation or gender truth, no matter your mood.  Wherever and whoever you are you are welcome here, you belong, you are worthy.  

“This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him.  Into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected.  Into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences.

So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with God and each other.

Preparation of the Table

ONE: The Lord be with you

ALL: And also with you

ONE: Lift up your hearts

ALL: We lift them up to the Lord

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise

ONE: We give you thanks, O God, for making your love evident since the very beginning of time when you spoke the word which replaced the darkness of chaos with life-giving light. A light which has nurtured generations of people, and plants and creatures, great and small. A light which also revealed the fear and powerlessness caused by corrupt and evil actions. And so you spoke the Word which would once and for all dispel the darkness of chaotic lives. Through your love for the world the Word became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. The angels caroled glory to you in the highest heavens and peace to all people on earth, and we join with them and with all people to praise your holy name saying together:

ALL:     Holy Lord, God of endless love, heaven and earth are surely full of your glory. The angels sang of it - we have been lavished with it. Blessed is he who was born that we might have life. Glory to God and on earth peace to all people.

ONE:      Holy God, as the travelers with their treasures were overwhelmed with joy on finding Jesus, so we also are overwhelmed on finding out the depth of his love for us. For Jesus showed just how beloved we are to him, by loving us and giving himself for us. On that night when he gave himself up for us, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you—the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, O God, that we may experience the presence of the Word-made-flesh - Jesus Christ. Breathe your Spirit in us that we may be one body with him - living out his ministry in the world today and every day. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Generous God, You are the source of all life, creating and sustaining every living thing. You are the source of all food, material and spiritual, nourishing us in both body and soul. You are the light that goes before us, shining into the darkness. May we be filled with your breath nourished by your food renewed by your living water and sustained by your love.

Prayers of the People

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 754    Help Us Accept Each Other

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 Gaetz Memorial United Church

2 Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, adapted from “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective”

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

In every fragment of time, O God, You work Your acts of grace. In every grain of earth, O Christ, You bring Your grace to life. In every breath of every living thing, O Spirit, You whisper Your grace to our souls. Open our eyes, open our ears, and open our hearts…Open the senses of all people to Your ever-present grace; that those who are disillusioned may hope again, that those who are frightened may trust again, that those who despair may rejoice again, that those who grieve and are lost may love again. And that all creation may be filled again with wonder at Your gracious glory. Amen.

Welcome

Introit       True Color          Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

Call To Worship 2

ALL: Come and worship, all you who love and serve the Lord - outsiders and insiders, old-timers and new-comers, the young, old and the in-between. Come as you are, for this is God's house - a house of prayer for all people, and God welcomes each one who comes. Let us worship God!

Hymn 385   All People That on Earth Do Dwell

Affirmation of Faith 3

We believe in God the Creator of all, known to us through perfect love, who has called forth a people of faith. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, crucified and resurrected, our Savior from sin, our peace, and Lord of the church. We believe in the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers, our source of inspiration and power. We commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, growing by grace into the image of God. We accept God's call to live in the Spirit as faithful disciples, practicing purity, stewardship, justice and peace, and loving friend and enemy. We joyfully worship God, the three-in-one, giving allegiance to Christ as Lord. We believe in God's everlasting reign, in victory over evil, in the resurrection of the dead, in Christ's coming again in glory. To God be praise forever and ever. Amen!

Response Hymn 468

In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 467

Grant us peace; grant us peace;

grant us peace, O Lord

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem           Testify to Love    Paul Field and Ralph van Manen

Sermon   Was Solomon Really Wise?    Reverend John Chamberlin

Hymn 149     All Hail to God's Anointed

Invitation to the Offering 4

The willingness to give is a sign of life. The fruit tree gives of its fruit, and we know it is alive. The ability to give comes and goes. Truly God is good to us in ways beyond our understanding. Offerings consist of many things, some of which are financial.  

You are invited to come and put your offerings and any prayer requests in this basket on the table now, or later this morning, and you are welcome to continue mailing your offerings to the church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     In Church     Pyotr Tchaikovsky     

Prayer of Dedication

Lord, we bring before you the common things of our common life: our money, our songs, our labors to be your faithful congregation, our needs and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our selves. We celebrate all this with you, seeking the touch of your Spirit so that we will share more deeply what we are and have with all people in our city and our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep that all may be used for your glory. Amen.

ONE: Lord in your Mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn 546    Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing

Pastoral Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!  

Announcements

1 https://sacredise.com/opening/

2 re: Worship

3 Words for Worship, Arlene Mark, adapted from “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective”