Order of Worship

8-30-26

Always maintaining a proper balance between proclamation of the word about life with the deeds which make life good.

Welcome and Announcements

Judy Schwiebert

Opening Words

Led by Judy Schwiebert

One: Who are we and what are we called to do?

All: We are the sensitive and responsive ones called to

create a world where every person is radically affirmed and barriers between people become bridges of inclusion, justice, and spirituality.

Prelude

Shared by Tanner Bayles

Call to Worship

Led by Rev. Dr. David Hodgson

One: We join together as many and diverse expressions of

one loving mystery.

All: We join with each other to recreate and bring new

life to the human community.

One: We come together to provide justice and peace.

All: We come to remember who we are.

One: We come to celebrate the Spirit of Life and Love, the

one who calls us, empowers us, renews us.

Singing Our Faith God is Still Speaking

Please stand in mind, body, or spirit

Shared by Tanner Bayles

God is still speaking, blessed invitation,

God is still speaking, listen and draw near,

God is still speaking, see a new creation,

God is still speaking, stand and do not fear.

All creation groans and yearns,

God is still speaking.

Seek the way that life returns,

listen and draw near.

Through our broken, wounded earth,

God is still speaking.

God can bring new seeds to birth,

stand, and do not fear. (Refrain)

To the ones enslaved, oppressed,

God is still speaking.

God is here in human dress,

Listen and draw near.

When the poor and lost are found,

God is still speaking.

When the mighty are cast down,

Stand, and do not fear. (Refrain)

In the bleak and hopeless hour,

God is still speaking.

Love is telling truth to pow’r,

Listen and draw near.

Tho’ the nations rage and fight:

God is still speaking,

Hear the Word of breaking light;

Stand, and do not fear. (Refrain)

Centering Prayer

Shared by Rev. Dr. David Hodgson

Spirit of Life and Love,

We come with listening ears and open hearts, holding the fragile, fierce hope of tomorrow. Show us how to plant seeds of equity where there is division, seeds of healing where there is hurt, and seeds of profound welcome in a lonely world. Give us the patience of the earth to trust the quiet work we cannot see. May our lives and our prayers become the soil from which a more just and tender world may rise.

Celebrations

Judy Schwiebert

This is our time to share the celebrations of our lives: birthdays, anniversaries, words of kindness and works of peace and justice.

Special Music for Thinking of You Cards

Shared by Tanner Bayles

Invitation to Give

Shared by Rev. Dr. David Hodgson

Let us bring our offering as a decision to be co-creators with God tending a more inclusive and hospitable world. Let us give of ourselves and our offerings to make life good.

QR Code for Giving Page

Dedication of Our Offerings

Led by Rev. Dr. David Hodgson

One: There is so much to be done. “Dedicating” means

deciding to be the ones to do it.

All: Let us go forth boldly into our worlds-decisively,

lovingly, joyfully to bring God’s peace and new

creation to everyone.

Singing Our Faith Hymn of Promise

Shared by Tanner Bayles

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity;

In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

The Chime Calls Us to the Word About Life

Judy Schwiebert

Word About Life

Shared by Marilyn Rampley

Seeds – little miracles

Each carrying a universe within

Waiting to bloom, grow, and thrive

In the fertile soil of possibility

- Mary Oliver

Words for Mission

Led by Marilyn Rampley

One: Come along with me, companions on the journey. Bring

along a sense of expectancy, a vision of high hopes, a

glimpse of future possibility, a vivid imagination – for God’s

creation is not done.

All: We are called to pioneer a future yet unnamed. As we venture forward, we leave behind our desires for a no-risk life. Let us travel together in the spirit of faith and expectation, girded and guided by the Spirit of Life and Love.

One: May we work together, secure in the knowledge that we

never travel alone. These are the times!

All: We are the people!

One: All of Creation is blessed!

All: May we love all and serve all!

One: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.

Sending Forth Song Garden Song

Shared by Tanner Bayles

Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow,

All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground.

Inch by inch, row by row, someone bless these seeds I sow,

Someone warm them from below

Till the rain comes tumbling down.

Pulling weeds and picking stones,

We are made of dreams and bones,

Feel the need to grow my own,

‘Cause the time is close at hand.

Grain for grain, sun and rain, find my way in nature’s chain,

Tune my body and my brain to the music from the land.

Plant your rows straight and long,

Thicker than with prayer and song,

Mother Earth will make you strong

If you give her love and care.

Old crow watchin’ hungrily from his perch in yonder tree,

In my garden I’m as free as that feathered beak up there.

Sermon Reboot is ON for today.

This is a time to talk about the message and explore together using the ORID Art Form Conversation methodology. What is ORID? It stands for Observation, Reflection, Interpretation, and Decision. You will get the hang of it.