Hybrid Worship

21 May 2023

Sunday Morning Spiritual Formation

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. 

Adult Spiritual Formation in May is inspired by by the All-UCC Book Club selection How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram Kendi. While readers of Kendi's book will be well-prepared for our Sunday morning discussion, all participants are welcome, whether you're reading or not. For this week, we're looking at calls to liberation in our tradition, specifically Isaiah 58.

For questions, suggestions, and all ponderings about spiritual formation, please reach out to Karen.

GATHERING IN THE SPIRIT’S PRESENCE

Centering Affirmation:

We pray for and work to create the stories in which neurodiversity is a cause for celebration.

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship

One: Come, let us worship God who is creating a new heaven and a new earth. Today is a new day, a fresh start, and a day of new beginnings.

All: Come, let us worship God who creates peace out of chaos, calm out of anxiety, and hope out of despair. Even when we are depressed, we trust God is with us.

One: Come, let us praise God who chooses to be among us, one of us, a Disabled and Neurodiverse God dwelling among us living with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, brain disorders, and neurodiversity.

All: Come, let us praise God who says to each one of us, “no matter who we are or what medications we take or our diagnoses or where we are on life’s journey: I will be your God.” 

One: Come, let us give thanks to God who promises to wipe away every tear from our eyes. 

All: Come, let us give thanks to God who loves us so much that death, mourning, crying, and pain cannot stop God from loving us. This is our greatest hope: we are held in God’s love.

One: Come, let us rejoice, for God, the Alpha and Omega, is making all things new! (Written by Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund)

Singing Our Faith ~ "All Are Welcome"

Let us build a house where love can dwell

And all can safely live

A place where Saints and children tell

how hearts learn to forgive

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, 

Rock of faith and vault of grace

Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak

And words are strong and true

Where all God's children dare to seek

to dream God's reign anew

Here the cross shall stand as witness

And a symbol of God's grace

Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found

In water, wine and wheat

A banquet hall on holy ground

where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus

Is revealed in time and space

As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

All are welcome in this place.

STILLING OURSELVES

Centering and Responsive Prayer  "Sanctuary"

Will you be my refuge. My haven in the storm

Will you keep the embers warm,

When my fire's all but gone?

Will you remember and bring me sprigs of rosemary

Be my sanctuary 'til I can carry on,

Carry on, Carry on. 

LISTENING TO GOD AND TO ONE ANOTHER

Celebrations

I have become more and more interested in making sure acts of goodness and kindness (however casual or deliberate or misapplied) produce language… Allowing goodness its own speech does not annihilate evil, but it does allow me to signify my own understanding of goodness: 

the acquisition of self-knowledge. 

~Toni Morrison

Celebration Song

We celebrate your being here

With Be-ing Itself in history.

We celebrate your being here

With Be-ing Itself in history.

We celebrate your being here

We celebrate your being here

We celebrate your being here

With Be-ing Itself in history.  

Amen Chorus

Invitation to Give

One: Divine Sustainer, receive this offering that we gladly give. May it be used to revive and restore those in need. Many: Divine Encourager, may our giving open our spirits to gratitude. Amen.

Offering and Offertory 

ATTEND TO MYSTERY

Word About Life -

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.

Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Sending Forth

One: The One who created all that is calls us by name and invites us into a life of abundant Love

All: We go out into the world as God’s beloved people, bringing Holy Love to all whom we meet.

One: These are the times!

All: We are the people!

One: All of Creation is blessed!

All: May we love all and serve all!

One: May God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.

Sending Forth Song ~ "Draw the Circle Wide"

Chorus:

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.

Let this be our song, no one stands alone,

standing side by side – Draw the circle wide.

God the stillpoint of the circle,

round whom all creation turns. 

Nothing lost but held forever, in God’s gracious arms.

Chorus

Let our hearts touch far horizons,

so encompass great and small.

Let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call!

Chorus

Let the dreams we dream be larger

than we’ve ever dreamed before.

Let the dream of Christ be in us, open every door.

Chorus

It's a Coffee Chat Sunday! Everyone is welcome to Smith Hall for a time of friendship and community. If you're attending online, look for live video on the Shadow Rock Facebook page.