Order of Worship

2-22-26

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

Prelude ~

Shared by Tanner Bayles

Welcome and Announcements

Shared by Pastor Ken

We welcome everyone to our service and hope you are blessed by worshipping with us.

Opening Words

Shared by Pastor Ken

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.



Call to Worship

Led by Greg and Carla Freeman

One: The good news of the gospel is:  

All:   manna in the desert, water turned into wine, love after loss, forgiveness after pain. 

One: The good news of the gospel is: 

All: release for the captive, hope for the hopeless, mourning turned to dancing,  and strangers turned to friends.  

One: So come on in. There’s no time to waste! This surprising good news is here for you.  

All: Let us worship this good-news God.  

Singing Our Faith ~ There Is Room For All (sing 3 times)

There is room for all

in the shadow of God's wing;

there is room for all,

sheltered in God's love.

And I rejoice and sing, My refuge

and my rock in whom I trust.

There is room for all,

there is room for all.

Centering Moment ~

Sharing Our Covenant

Shared by Linda Merritt

We covenant one with another to be that sensitive and

responsive part of human society which perceives and

responds to God’s newest thrust in the midst of history. The

uniqueness and greatness of every life is radically affirmed.

Our task together demands a comprehensive view of life,

always pointed intentionally to the future. Our life together

will involve us individually and corporately in study and

worship, always maintaining a proper balance between

proclamation of the Word about life with the deeds which

make life good. Those activities which eliminate age

barriers, cut across religious dogma, reduce cultural

parochialisms and engage secular people with life’s ultimate

possibilities will be worthy of our best efforts.

Invitation to Confession ~ Greg and Carla Freeman

You may have heard, “All is fair in love and war,”  

or “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”  

But our wisdom tradition says, “Forgive seventy times seven.”  It says, “God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” It says, “Turn the other cheek.” 

God’s mercy catches us by surprise.  So with wonder and gratitude, let us go to the Spirit of Life and Love in prayer.  Let us be surprised by God’s grace all over again.  

Friends, let us pray:  

Prayer of Confession

Loving God,  

Somewhere along the way, we picked up the message that in order to be faithful, we have to be serious.  

We have to pray on our knees without ceasing.  

We have to be somber in worship and quiet in our studies.  We have to check our wiggles and our questions at the door. But then you say the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—unruly and untamed. You turn water into wine—surprising and extravagant.  And all of a sudden, we wonder:  

Can we be like that mustard seed?  

Can we be faithful and unruly?  

Can we be playful and curious? 

Can we be messy and still be yours?  

We know the answer already.  

The Spirit whispers: of course, of course, of course.  

Forgive our doubt. Pull us closer into your embrace.  

With faith like a mustard seed, we pray.  

Amen.  

Words of Forgiveness ~ Pastor Ken

God’s grace is wild and unruly.  

God’s mercy is abundant and surprising.  

God’s love is expansive and unending.  

So if you ask, “Holy One, am I forgiven?” 

the answer is and always will be:  

of course, of course, of course.  

This is the good news of the gospel.  

Thanks be to God! Amen.  

Celebrating Forgiveness and A New Start

Shadow family and friends,  even when we act with  judgment,  even when we are guided by fear,  

even when we turn our back on a neighbor in need,   

God does not turn God’s back on us.  

So join me in this good-news declaration:  

We are seen. We are forgiven.  

We are invited to try again.  

Thanks be to God for this unending love.  

Singing Our Faith ~ Dance

1.  Dance in the moon-light and dance in the sun,

 Dance in your sorrow and dance in your fun.

Dance in your discos and dance in your briefs,

Dance in your doubtings and dance your beliefs,

And we’ll dance, dance, dance, come dancing with me,

A - ha, And we’ll dance, dance, dance, come dancing with me.

2. Dance with your elbows and dance with your hands,

Dance with your heart and your endocrine glands.

Make funny faces go out of your minds,

Find someone near you and bump your behinds…

Chorus

3. Dance up from childhood and into your teens,

Dance thru your screw-ups and dance in your dreams.

Come join the dancing, you make it complete,

We’ll hug you and kiss you and step on your feet…

    Chorus

Celebrations For the Deep Goodness of Life

Led by Pastor Ken

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

Music for Thinking of You Cards

Shared by Tanner Bayles

Witnessing Steward for Our LOVE Campaign

Tanner Bayles will speak to our core value of Spirituality.

Invitation to Give ~

Shared by Greg and Carla Freeman

As we bring our offerings and gifts forward,

may our whole lives move forward,

in good faith,

with good feelings,

and with a good belief about the future.

May all that we give today, be blessed.

And all that we receive enrich our life and the lives of others.

QR Code for Giving Page

The Chime Calls Us to The Word About Life

Word About Life ~ Pastor Ken

Those activities which eliminate age barriers, cut across religious dogma, reduce cultural parochialisms, … will be worthy of our best efforts.

Words for Mission

Led by Greg and Carla Freeman

One: As you leave this place, when you meet anger, speak with love. When you meet fear, speak with hope. When you meet pain, speak with gentleness. But no matter what, speak this good news. The good news of the gospel is love and justice for all. It is joy that surprises, and it is nonviolence that transforms. 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 ~ Go Make a Difference

Go make a diff’rence.

We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.

Go make a diff’rence.

We can make a diff’rence. Go make a difff’rence in the world.

We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see the love of God for you and me.

We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen.

Go make a diff’rence in the world. Chorus

We are the hands of Christ, reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see.

We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace.

Go make a diff’rence in the world. Chorus

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.