Welcome! We
Prelude What's Going On by Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson, and Marvin Gaye
Call to Worship from “Write Some New Agenda” by Joseph H. Gilmore
Leader: The wind blows across every border. The sun warms every upturned face, The stars beguile every opened eye. The earth opens its arms to all of its children, providing a feeding place, a growing place, a loving place, and, at last, a resting place.
All: O Thou ancient Holy One: In thy wisdom, the universe unfolds in the direction of wholeness and truth and beauty. Make this fragile planet and us, the wayward children, a part of that journey, we pray.
Opening Hymn NCH #547 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
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.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home .
My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures; God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures .
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun .
Please be seated
Unison Prayer The Body by Simei Monteiro, Brazil
expressing its desires. You gave us this body that is your temple. We don’t want to destroy it. It is good to feel it free, like this without bonds or wounds. You gave us this body as an example of harmony and beauty; don’t let us turn it into a reason for sadness
but let us express with joy your spirit and the gift of life. You gave us this body that perceives the caresses of tenderness, that know how to speak with gestures expressing its desires .
You gave us this body that unites Reason with feelings; Don’t let us make it a prisoner of a mistake but in everything glorify and consecrate the Creator.
You gave us this body for life we don’t want it for death -- but hunger and malnutrition reduce it to misery. You gave us this body for glory and perfect plenitude don’t let it become a negation of humanity but in Christ restored, reveal us your image. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Passing of the Peace
Please be seated
First Reading Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24
Musical Praise Andante Largo from Suite No. 1 of Trumpet Voluntaries by John Stanley James Cesare, trumpet soloist
Gospel Reading Mark 5:21-43 The Message
Provocation What’s going on…
Hymn NCH #332 As We Gather at Your Table
As we gather at your table, as we listen to your word, help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred. Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own; teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love's victory known.
Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life; send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife. Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave; may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.
Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least. There no more will envy bind us nor will pride our peace destroy, as we join with saints and angels. to repeat the sounding joy.
Prayer for Others and Ourselves
The Lord’s Prayer/ The Prayer of Jesus
Invitation to Give
Offertory
Offertory At the River Hymn Tune adapted by Aaron Copland
We praise thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator; in grateful devotion our tribute we bring. We lay it before thee, we come and adore thee, We bless thy holy name, glad praises we sing. Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Jesus said: I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger; You who believe in me shall never thirst. In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of this life-giving bread.
Communion Prayer
God be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God. Let us give thanks to God Most High. It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Church Covenant
In response to God’s love, we covenant with each other to be faithful to the demands and inspiration of the eternal spirit, revealed in the event of Jesus Christ;
to accept and respect each other with love and concern in our worship and witness; to reach out with the courage of our convictions in the cause of justice, liberation and equality for all;
In this, we covenant to keep the ultimate promise; “I care, I am with you.”
Sharing of the Elements
Communion Responses The Bread of Life ~The Cup of Blessing
Please take a piece of bread and move to the cups. Dip your bread and consume it immediately. The cups with ribbons contain wine. The cups without ribbons contain grape juice.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thank you God, for inviting us to this table, remembering your active presence in our lives. We are grateful and continuously thirst for the new and right spirit of this communion with you today, tomorrow and every day. Guide us always, as we embrace you and all those who have gone before us. Amen.
Closing Hymn NCH #81 God Be with You
God be with you till we meet again; By good counsel guide, uphold you, With a shepherd's care enfold you: God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet; till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again; Wings of shelter safely hide you, Daily manna still provide you: God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet; till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again; When life's perils thick confound you, Put unfailing arms around you: God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet; till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again; Keep love's banner floating o'er you, Smite death's threatening wave before you: God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet; till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
Announcements
Benediction and Sending Forth
Choral Blessing
Postlude Tenderly Music by Walter Gross Lyrics by Jack Lawrence James Cesare, trumpet soloist
Have a blessed week!
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