Image credit: "Celebration" by John August Swanson

Order of Worship

1 October 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 about spirituality and the politics of Jesus.

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 Travis Meyers

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 Dr. Cindy Hoard

One:    We were created in relationship and for relationship.

All:    We are created for community!

One: God knew it was not right for us to be alone.

All: We are created for community!

One: Through Jesus Christ, God entered into human

relationship with us.

All: We are created for community!

One: We rejoice in our unity with all humanity.

All: We are created for community!

Singing Our Faith ~ Draw the Circle Wide

by Ruth C. Duck and Jim Strethdee

 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 still-point 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 ev’ry door.

Chorus

Gathering and Centering Prayer

Shared by Pastor Ken

Word About Life

One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to Jesus, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the    kingdom of God!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the    crippled, the blind, and the lame.” And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still 

room.” Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” ’



Celebration of Communion and Spiritual Play Connection

Led by Dr. Cindy Hoard and Rev. Ken Heintzelman

Instead of a traditional liturgy for communion we are having a conversation about bread and juice. We want to explore what the elements of bread and juice evoke in our spiritual imaginations. This conversation is a small sample of the process of Spiritual Play which is our new program for children’s spirituality. We are experimenting and taking a risk. Bathe the moment and the coming program with prayer.

    Communion Song                        One Bread, One Body

                                                                     by John Foley

Chorus

One bread, one body, one Lord of all,

One cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many throughout the earth,

We are one body in this one Lord.

1. Gentile or Jew, servant or free,

Woman or man, no more.

Chorus

2. Many the gifts, many the works,

One in the Lord of all.

Chorus

3. Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,

Gathered to one, for all.

Chorus

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Invitation to Give

Shared by Dr. Cindy Hoard

Spirit of Life and Love,

We give thanks that we have

gathered together in this sacred place,

and been refreshed at this table.

We rejoice in the giftedness of each person here.

We are grateful for who we are for each other.

May we go forth into the world in courage and peace.

We are grateful for our life and the courage we are given to live it. Let our gratitude for life be expressed in our generosity. Let our faith be expressed in good causes. Let our belief in the future find full expression in our daily attitude of mind. Amen.

Offerings and Offertory       One Love      

Shared by Travis Meyers by Bob Marley

Dedication of Our Offerings

Led by Dr. Cindy Hoard

One:    The riches of God's gracious love have been             

entrusted to us. 

All:      It is a love that cannot and will not be hoarded.

One: Through the giving of ourselves and our offerings we share

the love of God and we are true to our values of inclusion,

justice, and spirituality.

All: Amen.

Words For Mission   

Led by Pastor Ken



One:    As you leave this sacred space, live out your connection with

one another, knowing that all humanity is bone of our bone,

flesh of our flesh, one world communion.

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                     Go Make a Difference

Chorus:

Go make a difference

We can make a difference.

Go make a difference in the world.

Go make a difference

We can make a difference.

Go make a difference 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 difference 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 difference in the world.

Chorus

So let your love shine on,

Let it shine for all to see.

Go make a difference in the world.

And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go.

Go make a difference in the world.

Chorus

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.