Sunday, June 7, 2015 - Second Sunday After Pentecost (Year B)

News and
Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #6MV
(refrain)

Holy
Spirit, come into our lives.

Holy
Spirit, make us truly wise.

Coming
Together:

How good it is to gather here and hear the word of God.

How good it is that we can worship
with one another.

How good it is that we can bring the concerns of our
lives and our world to God in the prayerful support of this community.

How good it is to share with one
another joys and celebrations as we sing and pray today.

Let us pray...

God who speaks, we want to hear you.
Guide us in this time of worship to hear your voice. Speak to us in the songs,
in the Word, in the laughter of children, and in the conversations with new
friends. Amen.

Singing:   #217VU   “All Creatures of our God and King”

Sharing the
Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving,
reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ,
perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And
also with you!"

Readings
From Scripture:

1^st Samuel 8:^4-11,16-20            HB pg 251

Mark 3:^31-35                            NT pg 37

In ages past, disciples,
prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our
ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be
to God.

Singing:   #178MV   “Who Is My Mother?”

Message:                “Relationship Choices”

Giving
Our Offerings:

(Sunday
School participants return from their learning circle)

Offering
Song (#540VU) and Prayer:

Grant
us, God, the grace of giving,

with
a spirit large and free,

that
ourselves and all our living

we
may offer faithfully.

Let us pray...

God of life, having
heard and been reminded about the good things that these gifts do, we give with
generous hearts. Amen.

Celebrating Learning:

Singing:   #457VU   “As We Gather at This Table”

Sharing Communion:  see
announcement for info.

Statement of Faith  #918  
"A New Creed"

Prayer of Thanksgiving

May the God of all creation be with you!

And also with you.

Praise in Jesus’ name!

May the Spirit move in us all!

Loving God, we gather around the table of our Christ …
oneness - with each other and with you, O God.

This is a Table of welcome, of grace,
and of covenant. This Table looks back to meals with Jesus, especially one
particular meal, just before he gave up his life. This Table looks forward to
the heavenly banquet, where the last are first and the greatest are the least.

And the Table lives … to extend the widest possible
invitation.

And so, we come to be fed!

Loving God, we pause in gratitude … “Take and eat,” he
said, “This is my body.”

As we share today’s common loaf, we
can imagine that we are part of one body in Christ. Thank you, generous God!

Loving God, we pause in gratitude … “Take and drink,” he
said, “This is a new covenant in my blood.”

As we share today’s common cup, we can
imagine that we are give life in the promise of Christ. Thank you, generous
God!

Send your Holy Spirit upon us … we pray to you, O God,
who is our Mother who loves us and

Our Father,

who art in heaven, hallow-ed 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 trespasses

as we forgive those that trespass
against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the
kingdom

and the power and the
glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Invitation to the Table

In the name of the One … These are the gifts of God, for all
of the people of God.

Thanks be to God! Amen!

Sharing the Loaf and Cup

Communion will be served at three
stations at the front of the church. 

Gluten-free bread will be served by
the piano. 

If you prefer not to come to a
station, a team of servers will come down the aisle and serve communion to you
in your seat.

Prayer After Communion

Gracious God, it is done - we are
yours, and you are ours, even our broken bodies and our poured-out lives.  May we truly be your blessing, in all we do
and are, because we are one in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Singing:   #134MV   “Dreaming Mary”

Sending
Out and Sung Response:  #431VU

Amen,
we praise you name O God.

Amen,
we praise you name O God.

Amen,
amen.  Amen, amen.

Amen,
we praise you name O God.

Sunday, May 24, 2015 - Pentecost Sunday (Year B)

Hymnsing:

#672VU   “Take Time to Be Holy”

#703VU   “In the Bulb”

#178MV   “Who Is My Mother?”

News and
Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #6MV
(refrain)

Holy
Spirit, come into our lives.

Holy
Spirit, make us truly wise.

Coming
Together:

The day of Pentecost has come and we are all together in
one place.

Can you feel the Spirit blowing
through this place?

הַלְּלוּיָהּ   Слава Богу   주님을 찬양  Praise the Lord.  

In every tongue, give praise to God.

Let us pray...

God of wonder, open our ears to your voice, open our hearts and minds to search deeply
and clearly, so we may seek to understand what following Jesus truly means. 
Amen.

Singing:   #375VU   “Spirit of Gentleness”

Sharing the
Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving,
reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ,
perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And
also with you!"

Readings
from Scripture:

Acts 2:^1-21                 NT pg 119

Romans 8:^22-27        NT pg 158

In ages past, disciples,
prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our
ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be
to God.

Singing:   #23MV     “Come, O Holy Spirit”

(Greeters
will pick up prayer request cards)

Storytelling:

Music
for Movement:  #156MV

(Sunday
School participants leave for their learning circle)

Dance
with the Spirit early in the mornin’,

walk
with the Spirit throughout the long day.

Work
and hope for the new life a-bornin’,

listen
to the Spirit to show you the way.

Welcoming
with Confirmation:

Introduction

Statement of Faith:  #918VU 
"A New Creed"

Questions and Promises

Congregation's Promise

All:  As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit
ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith.  May God grant us all grace to live out our
baptismal promises!

Prayer
(together):  Gracious and Holy God,
Mother and Father of us all, we bless you for the gift of life and within it,
the gift of water.  We recall how your
Spirit hovered over creation's unshaped waters and how, by water, comes the
growth of the earth.  It was through
water that you led the children of Israel to freedom.  It was in the waters of the Jordan, your
child, Jesus, was baptized.  Now, may
your Spirit be upon us and work through this day's water to link us with Jesus'
baptism and with Christians in every time and place.  May what we do here be a sign for all of new
life in Christ!  Amen.

Message:                    “Sighs and Words”

Singing:   #79MV     “Spirit, Open My Heart”

Giving
Our Offerings:

Minute
for Mission

Offering
Song (#540VU) and Prayer:

Grant
us, God, the grace of giving,

with
a spirit large and free,

that
ourselves and all our living

we
may offer faithfully.

Let us pray...

O God, we see the needs in our world.  We know we can make a difference.  May these gifts be a part of what makes that dif­ference.  Amen.

Prayers of the People and
Our Lord’s Prayer (#921VU):

Singing:   #481VU   “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”

Sending
Out and  Sung Response:  #431VU

Amen,
we praise you name O God

Amen,
we praise you name O God

Amen,
amen.  Amen, amen.

Amen,
we praise you name O God

Sunday, May 17, 2015 - Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles:

Hallelujah...

Coming Together:

God’s greatest desire for us is that we live life abundantly lives

We can bring joy and justice to the world.

We can live lives full of contentment and love.

For this we are grateful.

Let us pray...

Great God, you know our hearts. Let that be enough to bring us together to share what we know and what we wish to know. Amen.

Singing:   #2MV        “Come, All You People”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Storytelling:

John 17:^1a,6-11          NT pg 111

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Singing:   #365VU   “Jesus Loves Me”

Choir:

Message:                        “What May Be”

Singing:   #509VU   “Here I Am, Lord”

Giving Our Offerings:.

Offering Song (#179VU-r) and Prayer:

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Give thanks to the risen Christ;

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Give praise to God's name.

Let us pray:

God, as you have given to us abundantly, may we be gener­ous to others. Bless these gifts as they flow into our world to become part of your realm of compassion, justice, and love. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Our Lord’s Prayer (sung Stathdee)

Singing:   #326VU   “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

Sending Out and  Sung Response:  #649VU (refrain)

Walk with me, I will walk with you.

And build the land that God has planned,

where love shines through.

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 - Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles:

Hallelujah...

Coming Together:

Let us open our souls and let God’s Spirit tend us.

Let us open our minds and let God’s word guide us

Let us open our hearts and let God’s commandment of love live in us,

Let us open our lives and let God in.

Let us pray...

Loving God, we come together to reconnect to you.  Live with us in this time, O God, so that we will continue to live out Christ’s love, now and always. Amen.

Singing:   #574VU   “Come Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Readings from Scripture:

1^st John 4:^7-21              NT pg 241

Acts 8:^26-38                     NT pg 127

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Singing:   #266VU   “Amazing Grace”

Message:                     “Why?  Why Not?”

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#179VU-r) and Prayer:

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Give thanks to the risen Christ;

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Give praise to God's name.

Let us pray...

God longs for all of us to live bountiful lives. We share these gifts from the bounty with which we are blessed, in order that they may be a blessing to others. Amen.

Singing:   #460VU   “All Who Hunger”

(Sunday School participants return from their learning circle)

Sharing Communion:

Statement of Faith                     #918   "A New Creed"

Prayer of Thanksgiving

God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to God.

Let us give thanks to God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. 

Great and wonder are your deeds ... in Jesus you are with us - even unto death.

Holy, holy holy.

God of love and majesty,

The whole universe speaks of your beauty.

Bless us, O God, most holy.

Holy is your name ... we are called to live.

We are called to practice “raising up” the life of the world.

Spirit of Life ... flowing as the liquid in the cup.

We are the Body of Christ.

So it is that we do ... the new covenant, made in my name!

We give thanks for new life.

Let the Spirit work through these gifts that we may find unity in Christ.

We gather these prayers and we turn to you as our Mother who loves us and

Our Father,

who art in heaven, hallow-ed 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 trespasses

as we forgive those that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Invitation to the Table

Carrying a vision ... all gather as guests and friends.

Thanks be to God! Amen!

Partners in Time:       “Thy Will be Done”

Sharing the Loaf and Cup

Communion will be served at three stations at the front of the church. 

Gluten-free bread will be served by the piano. 

If you prefer not to come to a station, a team of servers will come down the aisle and serve communion to you in your seat.

Prayer After Communion

We are commissioned to feed as we have been fed, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we have been loved.  May we be gathered together as your worldwide church. Bless and keep us God.  Amen!

Singing:   #145MV   “Draw the Circle Wide”

Sending Out

“Let There Be Peace” - Partners in Time

Sunday, April 5, 2015 - Easter Sunday (Year B) - 10:30am

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles:

Hallelujah...

Coming Together:

We are called into this place to find a new way: a way of grace, hope, faith, life.

God calls and we come.

Come, let go of that which is worn out: habits, dogmas, resentments, burdens.

God calls and we come.

Let us pray...

God of grace, in this moment and all though this day, may we know the warmth of welcome; may we feel your compassion surrounding us.  Amen

Singing:   #173VU   “Thine is the Glory”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Sr. Choir:  “Christ the Lords is Risen Today”

Readings from Scripture:

Mark 16:^1-8                                       NT pg 52

1^st Corinthians 15:^1-11             NT pg 176

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Singing:   #164VU   “The Day of Resurrection”

Message:                     “After Being Told”

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#191MV) and Prayer:

What can I do? What can I bring?

What can I say? What can I sing?

I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.

I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

Let us pray...

O God, we look at our gifts and see unfolding possibilities and a future of compassion.  We look into our hearts and see the love of Christ.  Amen.

Singing:   #480VU   “Let Us Break Bread Together”

(Sunday School participants return from their learning circle)

Sharing Communion:  see announcement for info.

Statement of Faith  #918   "A New Creed"

Prayer of Thanksgiving

May our God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Creator of all.

Let us give thanks to God, our hope and our promise.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Loving God ... you have shown us marvelous signs of your presence.

Your Spirit hovered over the waters of creation and brought forth life. You journeyed with Abraham and Sarah to a new land, and fulfilled your promise in the birth of Isaac.  You went with Hagar and Ishamel when they were cast out.

You brought your people out of slavery ... You have not abandoned us.

In the shadows of time you spoke to Mary and Joseph, and invited them to share in the wondrous adventure of the birth of your son, Jesus, who became our Lord and Saviour. 

While the powerful were frightened by his birth, Jesus was recognized by the shepherds and foreigners as the hope and salvation of all people.

Jesus was a baby, a child, a teenager and an adult.  He was a refugee, a teacher, a healer and a friend to all.  He bravely risked his faith.  Even when some of his closest friends were about to turn their backs on him, he gathered them close and broke bread with them.

Take and eat this bread ... We gather these prayers and we turn to you as our Mother who loves us and

Our Father,

who art in heaven, hallow-ed 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 trespasses

as we forgive those that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Invitation to the Table

There are no rules at the Lord's table.  All are welcome, young and old, of whatever family of the church of Jesus Christ you are.  Come for all is prepared.  These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God! Amen!

Sharing the Loaf and Cup

Communion will be served at three stations at the front of the church. 

Gluten-free bread will be served by the piano. 

If you prefer not to come to a station, a team of servers will come down the aisle and serve communion to you in your seat.

Sr. Choir:  “Rejoice the Lord is King”

Prayer After Communion

Thank you for this meal and for this company, O God.  May we know that we are connected by this loaf and cup to be the body of Christ in the world.  Amen.

Singing:   #121MV   “Hey Now, Singing Hallelujah”

Sending Out and  Sung Response:  #649VU (refrain)

Walk with me, I will walk with you.

And build the land that God has planned,

where love shines through.

Sunday, April 5, 2015 - Easter Sunday (Year B) - 8:30pm

ISAIAH 25:6-9

MORNING HAS BROKEN (#409VU)

Morning has broken like the first morning,

blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!

Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,

like the first dewfall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.

Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning

born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation, praise every morning,

God's recreation of the new day!

  

JOHN 20:1-18

REMOVING THE SHROUD

PRAYER

OPEN MY EYES (#371VU)

Open my eyes, that I may see

glimpses of truth thou hast for me;

place in my hands the wonderful key

that shall unclasp and set me free.

            Silently now I wait for thee,

            ready, my God, thy will to see.

            Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear

voices of truth thou sendest clear;

and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,

everything false will disappear.

            Silently now I wait for thee,

            ready, my God, thy will to see.

            Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear

gladly the warm truth everywhere;

open my heart and let me prepare

love with thy children thus to share.

            Silently now I wait for thee,

            ready, my God, thy will to see.

            Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

GOING OUT