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AN ORDER FOR WORSHIP |
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CENTERING PRAYER —In Silence— Open our hearts, O God, that we may feel your presence and find that it is in you that we live and dwell. Open our hands, O God, that we may receive your love that is freely given and giving freedom. Open our minds, O God, that we may know the wisdom of your way. Open our ears, O God, that we may hear the word you share with us today. Open our eyes, O God, that we may see you in each other and in each creature of your creating. Open our lips, O God, that we may declare the praise and thanksgiving that you are due. Center us in, O God, center us in. OPENING WORDS PROCESSIONAL HYMN—Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all life Thou givest, to both great and small; In all life Thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee. Great Sovereign of Glory, pure radiance of Light Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render, O help us to see: ’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee. COLLECT FOR WORSHIP Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name. Blessed are you and blessed is your Kin-Dom forever. Amen. GLORIA Glory be to God, who is—who was—and who is to come. Glory be to the Beloved and Anointed One in whose way we follow. Glory be to the Advocate and Comforter in whom we live and move and have our being. God as One—God in Three—Blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen. COLLECT FOR THE DAY O Anointed One of God, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Loving God, who speaks to us through your Scriptures and in the collective wisdom of your people throughout the ages: Help us to hear anew what you would speak to us this day. For your Word is relevant and a message of life and hope in the world that needs to know and heed your will. Through your living Word and your Spirit of illumination whom with You is the truth that sets us free. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING The appointed reading from the Hebrew Bible or the Book of Acts is read, the response following: Holy Wisdom. Holy Word. Thanks be to God. PSALMODY The appointed Psalm for the day is sung or read. SCRIPTURE READING The appointed reading from the Epistles or the Book of Acts is read, the response following: Holy Wisdom. Holy Word. Thanks be to God. HYMN—Spirit, Spirit Of Gentleness —click here for the piano score and choral singing— Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free, Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep, then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; and over the eons you called to each thing: “Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.” Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free, Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand, and you goaded your people with a law and a land; and when they were blinded with idols and lies, then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free, Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill, then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still; and down in the city you called once again, when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free, Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes. From the bondage of sorrow all the captives dream dreams; our women see visions, our men clear their eyes. With bold new decisions your people arise. Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free, Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. SCRIPTURE READING The appointed reading from the Gospels is read, the response following: Holy Wisdom. Holy Word. Praise, glory, and thanksgiving be yours, O God. SERMON/HOMILY CREDO We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. (The United Church of Canada) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE/INTERCESSION ACT OF PENITENCE AND FORGIVENESS “If you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your sister or brother has a grudge against you, leave your gift there at the altar. Go to be reconciled to them, and then come and offer your gift.—Matthew 5.23 THE PEACE Greet one another with a holy kiss. Peace to all who are in Christ.—1 Peter 5.14 The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4.7 OFFERTORY/PRESENTATION OF GIFTS DOXOLOGY Praise God the source of every gift. Praise God who loves as our spendthrift. (Alleluia, Alleluia) Praise God to whom our aid comes swift. Praise God whose presence our souls lift. (Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia) THE EUCHARIST On the night he was betrayed, our Savior Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, saying, “This my body, broken for you. Eat this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and said, “This cup of the New Covenant in my blood—whenever you do this, drink it in remembrance of me.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim Jesus’ death until Christ comes. THE PRAYER OF JESUS Almighty God, like a parent who loves their children, you dearly love us. Most holy is your Name, in heaven and on earth. Your Kin-Dom come, your will be done, always and everywhere. Grant us the portion of what we need in this day. Teach us to share that all may have enough. Forgive us of our wrong doings, as we forgive those who have wronged us. Test not our faith, for it will always be found lacking without your grace. Protect us from evil. For yours is the Eternal Sovereignty, the Power Almighty, and the Majesty in Glory, forever and ever. Amen. SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP The Body of Christ given for you, keep you body and soul unto everlasting life. Take, eat, in remembrance that he died and was raised for you. And, feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. The Blood of Christ, keep you body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died and was raised for you, and be thankful. COMMUNION HYMNS—One Bread, One Body / Spirit Song One Bread One Body One bread, one body, One God of all, One cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, We are one body in this one God.. Gentile or Jew, Servant or free, Woman or man, No more. One bread, one body, One God of all, One cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, We are one body in this one God. Many the gifts, Many the works, One in the Lord, Of all. One bread, one body, One God of all, One cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, We are one body in this one God. Grain for the fields, Scattered and grown, Gathered to one, For all. One bread, one body, One God of all, One cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, We are one body in this one God. Oh, let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love; Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul. Oh, let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit, like a dove, will descend upon your life and make you whole. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Oh, come and sing the song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy. Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name. Oh, give him all your tears and sadness, give him all your years of pain, and you'll enter into life in Jesus' name. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs Oh, let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love; Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul. Oh, let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit, like a dove, will descend upon your life and make you whole. He'll descend upon your life and make you whole. PRAYER FOLLOWING EUCHARIST We thank you, loving and everliving God, for giving yourself to us in this sacred meal. Now, as the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood, send us into the world to love you and our neighbor, in all that we do, always and forever. Amen. RECESSIONAL HYMN—Here I Am, Lord I, the Lord of sea and sky. I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save. I who made the stars of night. I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord If You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of wind and flame. I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide. 'Til their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord, If You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I will hold Your people in my heart. DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING SUNG REPONSE—Sent Forth By God's Blessing Sent forth by God’s blessing, Our true faith confessing, The people of God from His dwelling take leave. The Supper is ended. O now be extended The fruits of this service in all who believe. The seed of His teaching, Receptive souls reaching, Shall blossom in action for God and for all. His grace did invite us, His love shall unite us To work for God’s kingdom and answer His call. With praise and thanksgiving To God ever-living, The tasks of our ev’ryday life we will face. Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring, Embracing His children of each tribe and race. With Your feast You feed us, With Your light now lead us; Unite us as one in this life that we share. Then may all the living With praise and thanksgiving Give honor to Christ and His name that we bear. GOING FORTH POSTLUDE MUSIC—Johann Sebastian Bach: Fugue in G minor |
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WORSHIP IN INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE AND PROGRESSIVE THOUGHT
SUNDAY WORSHIP WITH EUCHARIST
WHY A BLOG?
As a clergyperson with a disability now retired, this is my humble attempt to provide a ministry that some will find helpful. I have always focused on be inclusive and have struggled with the church's tradition of referring to God and humankind with masculine names and pronouns. Since the 1970's, thanks to my dear sister-in-law, I have been aware of the discrimination of women and have worked in the parish and community for equal rights with an equity of access to the resources that add blessing to life. I hope this site is of meaning to those who read it and worship with me and others within it. Peace.