Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

Amazing God, you call us today, just as you called the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. You challenge and support us, revealing the brokenness of our communities; giving us the peace that our world needs. You point us to the pain of the cross, and then remind us of the joy of the resurrection. Transform us, O God, through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us breathe deeply of the Breath of Life. Blow through our worship and change our lives forever. Amen.

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Elijah     Dan Davidson

Call To Worship 2

ALL: As people, as a group, as a community of faith – we gather in this place. To listen, speak, worship, and pray. We gather to be with God. Because we know – it is out of God's authority, it is out of God's love, that we live. Alleluia! Let us worship God!

Hymn 289   On Pentecost They Gathered

Prayer of Confession

Holy Spirit, we're not sure we're ready for your awesome power to blow through our lives; we're grown comfortable with our familiar habits and our bland routines; we're afraid to give up our waking slumber and face the truth that we do not truly live. When we cling to our ways and the safety of familiar paths, wake us up, shake us up, heat us up, and breathe your life into us. Walk with us, O God, and give us the courage to follow the way that is lit by the fire of your Spirit. On this Day of Pentecost, we pray for the audacity to ride the winds of change. Amen.

Words of Assurance 3

ONE: Hear these words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” In the midst of our fears and doubts, the peace of the Holy Spirit will prevail.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

Response Hymn 240

Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks

Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his name.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 253

Alleluia! Christ is Arisen

Alleluia! Christ is arisen.

Bright is the dawning of the Lord's day.

Scripture: Psalm 104:24-35

                   Acts 2:1-21

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    Holy Spirit     Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt

Sermon     "God's Breath Creates"    Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 610     O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Invitation to the Offering

We are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. On this joyous day let us reflect on the extraordinary gift of the Risen Christ. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory     Come Holy Ghost, Creator Come     W.A. Mozart     

Prayer of Dedication 4

Holy God, thank you for sending your Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Christ, from heaven. Help us to be like the early disciples, praying patiently as we wait for your guidance and power. Fill our hearts and minds with your gifts of faith, hope, and love. May our conversations with people of every language and culture around us witness to your grace and mercy. We dedicate ourselves and our offerings to your good purposes in the world through our church's mission by the power of your Spirit. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. 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 293    Loving Spirit

Recognition and blessing of Pam and Fred Matthews

ONE: In baptism our Lord Jesus Christ put his name on you Fred and you Pam, and received you into the church. We have rejoiced to welcome you into our fellowship in the gospel. In this community of faith you have been nurtured as you have heard the good news of God's saving love. You have been nourished at Christ's table and sent out to be Christ's witness in the world. God has blessed you and made you a blessing in our life together.

ALL: You have deepened our joy and lightened our sorrow. We will miss your love and support, yet we rejoice that you will now bless others as you have blessed us.

(Laying on of hands)

ONE: Faithful God, keep, preserve, and protect Pam and Fred all their days. By the power of your Holy Spirit, may they be salt of the earth and light for the world. Help them to feel your touch just as sure as they feel the touch of these hands and all that they are connected to. Help them to feel our blessings on their shoulders and our support and love behind them. Lead them to new ministries, secure in the faith that binds us forever in the body of Christ. Amen.

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!  

1 Worship Elements: Pentecost Sunday 2022

2 Richard Bott  Sharing Liturgy

3 The Abingdon Worship Annual edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press

4 Discipleship Ministries

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

The words God speaks are the life and sustenance of all that exists. The life Jesus gives is the re-creation and renewed birth of all that is broken and worn. The Spirit's stirring in our souls is the inspiration for creativity, compassion, joy, and community. Life-giving, life-restoring, life-fulfilling God; may our whole lives be worship. In all things, may we seek to connect with and to reflect your love and your hope.

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Spiegel im Spiegel     Arvo Part     Lalo Rolph, cello

Call To Worship 2

ONE: Let us worship the Triune God.

ALL: Let us worship the One who spoke in the beginning and created something out of nothing.

ONE: Let us worship the Triune God.

ALL: Let us worship the One who took on the clothing of humanity to set those who were oppressed free.

ONE: Let us worship the Triune God.

ALL: Let us worship the One whose Spirit rests continually upon us, calling us from sorrow-filled endings to bright new beginnings.

Hymn 393   O Day of Rest and Gladness

Statement of Faith - A portion of the Brief Statement of Faith, 1983, PCUSA

ALL: In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Response Hymn 276

Sing a New Song unto the Lord

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

let your song be sung from mountain's high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing hallelujah!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth;

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

                   John 3:1-17

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    All Who Are Thirsty     Brenton Brown, Glenn Roberts

Sermon     "Shift"    Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 618   O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High

Invitation to the Offering

Giving is a spiritual practice that relates God's work to our work. Peter writes: “as each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Let us give as people whose work is inextricably linked to God's great works of creation, redemption and empowerment. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory     

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. 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 756  O God of Every Nation

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!  

Postlude   Fantasie in D Minor     W.A. Mozart     Lalo Rolph, piano

1 The Minor Keys

2 Richard Bott  Sharing Liturgy

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,

whom alone we worship and serve.

From the Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

O God, we joyously come together to worship, realizing we need not summon you into our midst, for you are here. We need not call you into the secret places of our hearts, for you are there. We need our eyes of faith to be opened, that we may see you; our ears to be unstopped, that we may hear you; our minds to be sensitive, that we may know you; our hearts to be tender, that we may receive you. Bless each of us as we come into God's presence. Amen.

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Jesus You are the healing      Scott Soper

Call To Worship 1

We have gathered as God's people to delight in God's presence, to experience God's healing, to receive God's grace. Let us be reconciled and renewed as we worship our God through Christ in the Spirit.  

Hymn 183   Come to Me, O Weary Traveler

Statement of Faith - A portion of the Brief Statement of Faith, 1983, PCUSA

ALL: In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Response Hymn 276

Sing a New Song unto the Lord

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

let your song be sung from mountain's high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing hallelujah!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth;

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture: Mark 2:23-3:6

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   O Christ, the Healer      J.S. Bach

Sermon     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 393     O Day of Rest and Gladness

Invitation to the Offering 1

Giving is a spiritual practice that relates God's work to our work. Peter writes: “as each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Let us give as people whose work is inextricably linked to God's great works of creation, redemption and empowerment. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory     We Gather at Your Table, Lord     Walter Ehret

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. Amen

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving 2

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.

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Let us pray.  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.

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 769     For Everyone Born

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!  

Postlude  Jesus Messiah      Daniel Carson, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves

1 Words for Worship" ed. Marlene Mark

2 Rev. Bob Gibson London Conference of the United Church of Canada

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,

whom alone we worship and serve.

From the Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God of our fathers and mothers-of all the generations who have come before us—holy is your name. We gather in your presence with praise and thanksgiving for the faithful love you have shown toward Your people, for the many blessings you have given to us. Your promises are eternal, and they are backed by the honor of your name.

Thank you for your faithful presence among us, even when we are not fully aware of it. Continue to reveal yourself to us. Open our eyes to see you here among us; open our ears to hear your Word. For surely, you are with us in this place. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Rejoice in the Lord Always     Richard Gieseke

Call To Worship 2

ONE: Here in this place, there are no foreigners,

ALL: for all are welcome in God's house.

ONE: Here in this worship, there is only acceptance,

ALL: for love is the language of faith.

ONE: Here in our lives, there are no divisions,

ALL: for God dwells in each of us.  Come, let us worship in unity and love.    

Hymn 377   I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Statement of Faith - A portion of the Brief Statement of Faith, 1983, PCUSA

ALL: In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Response Hymn 276

Sing a New Song unto the Lord

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

let your song be sung from mountain's high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing hallelujah!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth;

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Be Thou My Vision     Trad. Irish, Arr. Russell Mauldin

Sermon     An Ever Expanding View   Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 700     I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

Invitation to the Offering 1

Giving is a spiritual practice that relates God's work to our work. Peter writes: “as each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Let us give as people whose work is inextricably linked to God's great works of creation, redemption and empowerment. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory     Jesu, My Own Treasure     Johann Crüger, Arr. NAM

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. 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 452     God Be With You Till We Meet Again

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!  

Postlude     Down to the River to Pray     Ken Medema, Arr. McDonald

1 Opening prayer

2 Richard Bott, Sharing Liturgy

3 Words for Worship" ed. Marlene Mark

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,

whom alone we worship and serve.

From the Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God of small seeds and mighty plants, you take our meager lives and with your love cause them to produce acts of loving kindness for you in this world. You hear our cries and find us when we are lost and wandering in fear. You bring us home with you so that we may be made whole, rejoicing in your goodness. Help us to joyfully serve you all our days, knowing that you are always watching over us. Prepare our hearts to receive your word and our spirits to respond in eagerness to serve you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Rejoice in the Lord Always     Richard Gieseke

Call To Worship 2

ONE: Come to God who gathers us in.

ALL: We come to God who nurtures us like a good father.

ONE: Come to God whose arms are open and waiting.

ALL: We come to God who welcomes and forgives us.

ONE: Come to God who journeys with us.

ALL: We come to God who sees us as we really are and loves us anyway.

ONE: Come, praise our loving nurturing God    

Hymn 714   God of the Fertile Fields

Statement of Faith - A portion of the Brief Statement of Faith, 1983, PCUSA

ALL: In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Response Hymn 276

Sing a New Song unto the Lord

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

let your song be sung from mountain's high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing hallelujah!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth;

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Good Good Father     Pat Barrett, Anthony Brown

Sermon     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 339     Lift Every Voice and Sing

Invitation to the Offering 1

Giving is a spiritual practice that relates God's work to our work. Peter writes: “as each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Let us give as people whose work is inextricably linked to God's great works of creation, redemption and empowerment. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. 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 679     Let the Whole Creation Cry

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!  

Postlude     The God Who Stays     Matthew West, Jonathan Smith, AJ Prius

1 Nancy C. Townley  Worship

2 Worship Words

3 "Words for Worship" ed. Marlene Mark

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,

whom alone we worship and serve.

From the Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

O God who is greater than the most powerful forces in this world, enable us to be still and know that You are God. O Lord who answers out of the whirlwind of everyday life, breathe in us Your Holy Spirit to strengthen, comfort, and guide us in the midst of the storm. O still, small voice, speak to us this hour that we might become makers of Your peace in our homes, in our communities, in our world. We pray all this in the name of the One who calmed the raging sea. Amen.

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Rejoice in the Lord Always     Richard Gieseke

Call To Worship 2

ONE: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, wellspring of all that is.

ALL: You are the sea on which we float, you are the wind that fills our sails, you are the storm that buffets us, you are the calm that brings us peace.

ONE: Open our ears to hear your word,

ALL: Open our eyes to see your beauty,

ONE: Open our hearts to be warmed by your love.

ALL: Free us from our lonely prisons of fear and selfishness, and make us over, day by day, into bearers of your peace. Let us worship God!  

Hymn 275   A Mighty Fortress is our God

Statement of Faith - A portion of the Brief Statement of Faith, 1983, PCUSA

ALL: In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Response Hymn 276

Sing a New Song unto the Lord

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

let your song be sung from mountain's high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing hallelujah!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth;

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Shout To The Lord     Darlene Zschech

Sermon     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 463     How Firm a Foundation

Invitation to the Offering 1

Giving is a spiritual practice that relates God's work to our work. Peter writes: “as each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Let us give as people whose work is inextricably linked to God's great works of creation, redemption and empowerment. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. 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 653    Give Thanks to God Who Hears Our Cries

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!  

Postlude     Mighty To Save     Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding

1 My Redeemer Lives

2 Richard Rosenberg, World Prayers

3 "Words for Worship" ed. Marlene Mark

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,

whom alone we worship and serve.

From the Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

Chimes

Opening Prayer  1

God of wild love and extravagant acceptance…Spirit of boldness and beauty…

You are faithfully present in both the grit and glitter of life, and you are present here with us now. Awaken us to your dream for creation: A world in which every member of the human family is free to flourish however you have made them.

Do not let us hold back your ever-flowing current of love, dignity, and justice. Remake us into a people eager to see you in the faces, bodies, and expressions of all people. Remind each of us to step out of the shadows of our lives and shine fearlessly and courageously. Ignite the Divine Light within us to sparkle through the prism of our bodies and brighten every corner of this Earth.  

Holy One, You call each of us beloved. Each of us cherished. Each of us desired. Each of us sacred. And so, we give you thanks now and forever. Amen.

Welcome and Announcements

Introit     Rainbow Connection     Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher.

Call To Worship 2

As the previously invisible woman touched Jesus' cloak in search of healing, we remember that God is a God of healing. We come to worship God, for whom none of us is invisible. We remember God's radically inclusive love made real in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We remember the One who befriended the forgotten, embraced the outcast, and saw the Image of God in all people. We remember the One who confronted every power that disconnected, marginalized, oppressed, and “other-ed.”  Let us worship God together!  

Hymn 410   God is Calling, Through the Whisper

Statement of Faith 3

It is good to voice our beliefs and commitments. But say what we will, even in angelic tones, if we do not love each other, our talk is cheap. We shall sound to the world like clanging cymbals. It is good to grow in knowledge and wisdom. But even if we knew everything, even if we have mountain-moving faith, if we do not love each other, we have gained nothing. Love asks that we be patient and kind as we build an inclusive faith community, that we abandon arrogance, that we risk new things, that we not delight in the failings of others, that we rejoice in discerning and living God's truth. Sustained by God's Spirit, three things abide within and among us, faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.  

Response Hymn 276

Sing a New Song unto the Lord

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

let your song be sung from mountain's high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing hallelujah!

Sharing the Peace of Christ

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 155

Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth;

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem   Testify to Love     Paul Field, Ralph van Manen, Robert Riekerk

Sermon     How Dare We!  Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 177    I Will Come to You

Invitation to the Offering 4

Giving is a spiritual practice that relates God's work to our work. Peter writes: “as each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Let us give as people whose work is inextricably linked to God's great works of creation, redemption and empowerment. Let us continue our worship by offering our gifts to God.

Offertory

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you not with our words only, but with our whole lives. We ask you to bless all of the gifts that we give, and bless what we keep, and fill us with joy as we discover ways to use our resources for your work in our world. 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 687     Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

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!  

Postlude     I've Always Loved You     Avery, Lee, Anderson, Carr & Powell

1, 2 Rev. Sam Lundquist

3 Rev. Ann B. Day Program Coordinator, Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns 1987-2007 Based on I Corinthians 13:1-13 Originally published in Shaping Sanctuary

4 "Words for Worship" ed. Marlene Mark