Order of Worship

17 September 2023

Sunday Morning Spiritual Formation

For Adults: the How and Why of Spiritual Connections

We gather at 9:00 am in the Multipurpose Room. Expect a warm welcome and grace-filled discussion.

For Children Ages 4 and up: Getting to Know You

You can find us in the Blue Room! Look for signs and friendly faces as you enter the education building. For children under 4, Amy and Jaian are ready for you in the Red Room. Sunday mornings are time for fun and connection.

Order of Worship

Prelude

Shared by Christine Kyhn

We welcome Christine to our morning service and we thank her for sharing her gifts of music with us while Travis is traveling for work.

CHRISTINE KYHN began her formal study of music at the age of 5 in the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance from California State University East Bay focusing on Organ and Piano performance with additional work in Voice and Choir. She also earned the Colleague of the American Guild of Organists Certificate (CAGO). Christine spent 20 years teaching general music in the public school systems in California, Colorado, and Arizona. In addition, she developed and directed church and community children's choir programs working with hundreds of children, fostering their love of music. She is currently the Principle accompanist with the West Valley Chorale under the direction of Ken Goodenberger. She is accompanist for the Glendale Community College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Nina Garguilo. She is the Collaborative Accompanist for the Glendale Prep Charter School choral program under the direction of Dr. Tom Bookhout. Having recently resigned from her permanent position as Music Director and Organist at Congregational church of Sun City she now serves as substitute organist and/or pianist in churches all over the Valley. She is a Distinguished Member Friend of the Arts of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. Christine lives in Glendale, AZ with her husband, Peter Kyhn. They have three grown children who are active in the arts, and five amazing grandchildren.

Welcome and Announcements

Pastor Ken

Opening Words

Led by Pastor Ken

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

All: 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 Pastor Ken

One: We come together to honor our past.

All: We come together to affirm our lives here

and now.

We come together to symbolize the future of our world.

One: May our time together renew our hope.

All:  May the stories we share refresh our courage.

One: May the songs we sing lift our spirits.

All: May the words we speak invigorate us.

One: May the touch of hands, the sound of laughter,

the sight of faces new and familiar,

All:  build our resilience in trust and love.

One: May we be for each other what the world needs.   Let us sing! 

Singing Our Faith ~ We Are Companions On The Journey

Please stand if comfortably able

Chorus

We are companions on our journey,

Breaking bread and sharing life.

In the love we bear is the hope we share

For we believe in the love of our God.

Yes, we believe in the love of our God.

1. No longer strangers to each other,

 No longer strangers in God’s house,

We are blest and we are nourished,

By the love we all can share. Chorus

2. Although the journey may be rocky,

Although the way’s not always clear,

We will share God’s love a-plenty,

With all people far and near. Chorus

Gathering and Centering Prayer

Shared by Pastor Ken

Celebrations and Allelu Celebration Song

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.  

Allelu! Allelu! Ev-’ry-body sing

     For the Lord has risen it is true:

     Ev’ry body sing Allelu!

1. On the third day He did rise, Allelu, Allelu!

Now He lives no more to die, Alleluia!

           Chorus

2. Now we too can live anew, Allelu, Allelu!

Live in Him need all we do, Alleluia!

           Chorus

Celebrating Belonging: The Sacrament of Baptism

Christine Marie Butler, born September 18, 1965

Introduction



Baptism is the church's way of celebrating and naming the grace of God living in every person. It is the way we enfold

new people into the life of the universal community of faith. And it marks the entry point into the life-time pilgrimage of following in the Way of Jesus. It is one of the ways we live out our Covenant. In baptism the uniqueness and greatness of every life is radically affirmed. In the spirit of celebration, I invite Chris to join me for the blessing of baptism.

Baptism Vows

Chris, I ask you now to respond to God's graciousness and Life’s promise to you by making your vows:

One: Do you desire to be baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?

One: Will you endeavor to discover the freedom of new life in Christ and to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Friend and Companion?

One: Will you, by word and example, demonstrate to the world your faith by doing your best to love God and to love other people, to follow in the ways of Jesus, to resist oppression and evil, to seek grace, justice, and peace in the world?

One: Will you, as best you are able, seek to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating the presence of Christ and furthering the mission of Christ in the world?

Act of Baptism

Christine Marie Butler, in the touch of this water,

the ancient symbol of new life,

I baptize you into the love,

service and joy of God:

Parent, Child, and Holy Spirit...

Source of Life, Companion, and Enlivener.

Congregation’s Statement of Support

We stand as witnesses to the commitment made by Chris this day. We pledge ourselves to you for spiritual

support and care as you discover the ways the Spirit of Life and Love unfolds for you.

Baptismal Prayer

Spirit of Life and Love,

Bless this newly baptized human being. May she always know that the Source of all Love lives and comes to unique expression in her. 

Amen.

Bless these faithful people as the new spiritual family for Chris. May we all live in love and may we continue to draw encouragement from the faith which connects our loving with the mystery we call ‘God’.

Amen.

Singing Our Faith                                   No Matter Who

 No matter who, no matter what

No matter where you are on the journey of life.

You’re welcome, welcome here in this place.

No matter who, no matter what

No matter where you are on the journey of life

Accepted, welcomed by God’s grace.

1. For we are family, meant to be,

Purposed for eternity.

Born in love, from above; God’s community.

Chorus

Invitation to Give      

One: May what we give today be blessed. May all that we receive today enrich our lives and the lives of others. Let us give of ourselves and our offerings to make life good.

Offerings and Offertory            

Shared by Christine Kyhn

Word About Life                          Acts 2:37-42

Shared by Rev. Ken Heintzelman



Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Words For Mission   

Led by Pastor Ken



One:  Go now, into the world God loves so much, to bear the fruit of love. Go in peace and with delight for the Spirit of life and love goes with us. In this is great blessing!

All: And a blessing to all whom we touch.

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: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.  

All: Amen!

Sending Forth Song ~ Trees of the Field

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;

The mountains and the hills will break forth before you.

There’ll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field

  will clap, will clap their hands.

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)

The trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)

The trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)

While you go out with joy.

Sermon Reboot is ON for today. Please stay on Zoom and we will convene in 5-10 minutes. 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.