Be with us God. Amen PRELUDE WELCOME OPENING WORDS

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1 PRELUDE WELCOME OPENING WORDS One: One: One: Laugh! Children of God! Let tears of joy baptize your eyes and your checks. Give God thanks and celebrate! It is good to be alive! Dance! Children of God! Lose yourself in the choreography of the Spirit. Life is a dance and God is the orchestra. It s good to be alive! Embrace! Children of God! Open your arms and feel close to each other. It is in our openness where life takes on meaning. It s good to be alive! Give God thanks and celebrate! It s great to be alive! John W. Howell *OPENING HYMN Lord of All Hopefullness Tune: Slane *PRAYER OF INVOCATION Terence Elwyn Johnson adapted One: Eternal God, parent of every living creature, whose spirit of love is celebrated in our worship, Be with us God. One: Be our nurturing guide and strengthening tenderness, that we may grow and serve in ways of trust, compassion, and purposeful living. Be with us God. Amen

2 Join us for Learning Time on August 5 Janet Rundquist will lead us in a session on navigating Facebook. Let s talk about the privilege of Facebook Safety and the disappearing records of Asylum Seekers. Facebook hacks happen. We ll discuss the platform s privacy options and other safety concepts. As well as the privilege of accessing and maintaining our information that others may not be able to exercise. *RESPONSE There s A Spirit of Love in This Place Mark A. Miller ADULT LEARNING HOUR Adult Learning is back! Beginning Sunday August 19 th, we will gather in the Fireside Room between 9:45am and 10:45am. During the fall, we will focus on some of the issues we face in this time and place. What is happening in the world, our country, our community? How does our sacred text inform us as we contemplate these issues? How might we respond? Grab a cup of coffee and a snack and join us in the Fireside room for what is certain to be a lively discussion. We look forward to your participation. Journeymen An ongoing Adult Faith conversation for those who can t or won t check their brain at the church door. Not a lecture, but a dialog beginning August 19 at 9:45 a.m. Sign up in the narthex. Sandwich Ministry All are welcome in Fellowship Hall immediately following the early service to pack sack lunches for the people of the Gateway 180 shelter in St. Louis, MO. A READING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION Luke 18:15-17 Cotton Patch Version Some folks started bringing their babies to him to bless, and his students jumped on them for it. Jesus then gathered the little ones around him and said, Let the kids come to me and don t get in their way, for of such is the God Movement. I truly tell you that unless one accepts the God Movement like a child, they just won t get into it. A READING FROM THIS TIME AND PLACE attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation

3 in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen. One: For the marvelous blend of fact, myth, poetry, and story that is in scripture, we give thanks. May the Spirit open us to the wisdom we most need to hear. CHILDREN S TIME Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship or they may go to the nursery (birth-3). Attendance pads will be passed out at this time; please sign in so that we may celebrate that you were here. INTRODUCTION QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND GODPARENTS CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT One: Jesus calls us to welcome children into the full life of our community, opening our table and hearts to those most vulnerable, offering the wisdom of the ages to all who hunger for truth. Do you who witness and celebrate this sacrament promise your love, support, and care to this child being baptized as she lives and grows in this Christian community? We promise our love, support, and care. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH One: Do you believe in God the Source, the fountain of life? I believe in God. One: Do you believe in Christ the Servant, embodied in Jesus of Nazareth and in the church? I believe in Christ. One: Do you believe in the Spirit the Guide, the liberating wellspring of life? I believe in the Spirit. BAPTISMAL PRAYER ACT OF BAPTISM BAPTISM 11:00 AM PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON) God of wonder and grace, we thank you for your love revealed here this day as this community, these parents, godparents, and this child come together making covenant promises. We pray that this community will have the grace to uphold the promises made here this day, providing a safe shelter of your love in which this child may grow and play. We pray that these parents may continue to feel the sweet wonder of your presence so transparent here today. We pray that this child will bask in your love as she makes her own journey through this life. Amen. HYMN NCH #351 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry Ylvisaker Please use a hymnal or see the words in the right-hand column I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry By John Ylvisaker I was there to hear your borning cry, I ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold. I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well; In a blaze of light you wandered off to find where demons dwell. When you heard the wonder of the Word I was there to cheer you on; You were raised to praise the living Lord, to whom you now belong. If you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one, I ll be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk till rising sun. In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young, I ll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I ve begun. When the evening gently closes in, and you shut your weary eyes, I ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise. I was there to hear your borning cry, I ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

4 Just a Closer Walk With Thee Verse 1 Chorus Just a closer walk with Thee Jesus, grant my humble plea! Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, Dear Lord, let it be. Verse 2 Chorus Just a closer walk with Thee Jesus, grant my humble plea! Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, Dear Lord, let it be. SPECIAL MUSIC 8:30 The Turning of the World Sara Thompson Nancy Wamser 11:00 Just a Closer Walk with Thee arr. Jack Schrader Lola Contestabile SERMON Rev. Wendy Bruner *HYMN Do Not Turn Away the Children Tune: Beach Spring Rabbi Roxanne Shapiro, one of the founders of the Sprouts of Peace program, will be recognized during the 11:00 a.m. service on August 12. Due to a change in the staffing structure at United Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Roxanne s contract was not renewed and she will no longer be one of the leaders of the program. We will miss her very much as she was so instrumental in developing the Sprouts format and programming. To show her our appreciation, we will be honoring her during the 11:00 a.m. service, including presenting her with a special prayer quilt which our quilting group created. We will also sing the Sprouts song as a congregation. We are asking all past and current Sprouts and Sprouts teen leaders (if able) to attend this special service wearing their Sprouts t-shirts (if they still fit). We want to make this a very special day for Rabbi Roxanne and to demonstrate what Shalom, Salaam, Peace means to us. Peace UCC Quilters The Peace UCC Quilters will meet next from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, August 9 in Room 23 at church. We ll be finishing up some prayer quilts. Anyone who enjoys simple hand sewing, or just some good fellowship is most welcome to join us! Save Saturday night, August 4 for a movie night with Charis at Peace UCC. The movie will be shown outside. Bring friends and family and your lawnchairs to see The Greatest Showman at sundown. The movie will be presented by Frontyard Features. No admission, but concessions will be available for purchase. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the worship leader will say: Loving God. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer. PRAYER This is a time for quiet reflection.

5 LORD S PRAYER Creator, who encompasses the universes May your rule of peace and justice be upon this earth Give us just enough to eat Forgive us our sins, and deliver us from evil especially our own For power, honor, and glory does not belong to us INVITATION AND COMMUNION PRAYER CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION 8:30AM Mai-Anh Le Tran based on our Theological Assumptions Minister: Come, Holy Spirit, and move among these elements assembled at this Table. Through this sacrament, transform our hurt into healing, our fear into faith, and death into life. Minister: As the grain, sown in hills and valleys, is harvested, and now becomes one in the loaf, so we, scattered, diverse, separated and isolated from one another, hear your invitation to become one body around this Table, the center of our life together. Liturgist: As this juice, grown in vineyards under the sun, fills the cup, may we be filled and refreshed by this meal, and strengthened to respond to your call to reach out in compassion to all living things. Minister: In sharing this meal we remember. We remember meals Jesus shared with friends and enemies, outcasts and marginalized, fearful and earnest. Minister: He took the bread and, giving thanks, blessed it and broke it and shared it. As we share the bread today, we eat it as those who seek to follow Jesus. Liturgist: After the meal, Jesus took the cup. Giving thanks, he shared it, symbolizing a new relationship with God, a relationship of partnership founded on grace. As we share the cup, we seek to experience that grace in which Jesus lived fully. All: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking that our eyes might be opened, that we might recognize the risen Christ in our midst, indeed, in one another. Come, Holy Spirit, come. The Congregation is invited to come forward by the center aisle, partake of the gluten-free bread and juice, and light a candle in prayer. Catch the eye of a table host if you would prefer to be served at your seat. To families of young children at Peace UCC When God made children, they were made with a little giggle, a little squirm, and a whole lot of love. When you worship with us your children are invited to sit at the front of the sanctuary. That way they can see what is going on in church and interact better with what Peace UCC has to offer. When your children are here, our building is filled with a joyful noise. This is something for which we rejoice and praise God. If your children start to get restless please don t leave. Stay and continue worship because when you do you show them that worship is something important and that their presence is important to us. At times we know this can be a struggle, but thank you for making the effort. 1. There are activity bags for the young children. They are available near the sanctuary doors. 2. There is a rocking chair at the back of the sanctuary that you can use. We also have a nursery just outside of the sanctuary. Ask someone and they will give you directions. 3. We have changing tables in the nursery and downstairs in the bathroom by the fellowship hall. We understand the difficulty of worshipping with a little one. We hope that you feel we are a Child-Loving church. Please know that when your child gets fussy that we are honored to have you with us today. Thank you for joining us in worship today and I hope that you will join us again. Peace to you, Pastor Wendy Gateway ONA Social Night: Hope and Justice in Africa Tonight at 5:30 p.m. you re invited to attend a potluck event at Peace UCC. We ll eat together, and then Tyler Connoley will share about his recent attendance at the Pan-Africa ILGA Interfaith Pre-Conference. Learn about the amazing people Tyler met at the conference who are our partners in the struggle for justice and love. Hear about some of the justice work being done by LGBTQ activists on the continent. Gain hope for the struggle ahead! Please RSVP to Lorin Cope buckeyeohio@hotmail.com

6 Motivational Song The higher you build your barriers The taller I become The farther you take my rights away The faster I will run You can deny me, You can decide to turn your face away No matter, cos there s 8:30 RESPONSE As-salaamu-Lakum Arabic Traditional Greeting Richard Bruxvoort Colligan Something inside so strong I know that I can make it Though you re doing me wrong, so wrong You thought that my pride was gone Oh no, something inside so strong Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong The more you refuse to hear my voice The louder I will sing You hide behind walls of Jericho Your lies will come tumbling down Deny my place in time You squander wealth that s mine My light will shine so brightly It will blind you Cos there s Something inside so strong I know that I can make it Though you re doing me wrong, so wrong You thought that my pride was gone Oh no, something inside so strong Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong Brothers and sisters When they insist we re just not good enough We know better Just look em in the eyes and say 8:30 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Gracious and loving God, we give thanks for your abundant love. May our lives reflect this love as we share it with others. Amen. HOW WILL WE DO GOD S WORK IN THE WORLD? We will open our How Shall We Do God s Work In The World time with an opportunity to give. The ushers will pass an offering plate to you as you remain in your seats. We invite you to sing along to a familiar song. PRAYER OF DEDICATION Anton K. Jacobs God, we dedicate our lives and all that we have to the work of life, of love, of peace. Receive our gifts and lead us in wisdom and courage. Amen *HYMN NCH #82 Go My Children, with My Blessing Tune: Ar Hyd y Nos Because there s something inside so strong I know that I can make it Though you re doing me wrong, so wrong You thought that my pride was gone Oh no oh no, something inside so strong Something inside so strong so strong *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE

7 CDF Freedom School Experiences Hi, my name is Jeremy and my experience at Freedom School is great! There are so many activities you can do! One of the things I like is electronic day. At Freedom School I feel so free. Some of my favorite parts at Freedom School are IRC stands for Integrated Reading Curriculum, my other favorite is afternoon activities because I get to talk to my friends and we play fun games like tag and we do fun activities like playing Yeti in My Spaghetti. If it weren't for Freedom School I would be at boring daycare. Thank you Freedom School! Jeremy, Freedom School Scholar Hi, my name is Jayden and this is my perspective at Freedom School. They always have amazing meals and snacks especially the rice krispie treats. Also the field trips are the best. We got to go to the YMCA every Thursday to swim. My other favorite field trip was the City Museum! Also the afternoon activities are the best. My S.L.I. Mr. M is so cool. He is an actor and director! Finally, my favorite times of the day are IRC and Harambee! Even though I have more to say, signing off. Jayden, Freedom School Scholar Hello, my name is Joy and I don t even know where to begin in regards to freedom school. Freedom school has by far been the most rewarding and inspiring program I have participated in. It has not only allowed for many connections but it has enabled me to strengthen on patience, perseverance, communication, deliverance, empathy and many more skills. The kids have not only touched me in an SLI to scholar way but they have given me the gift of friendship that goes beyond the freedom school walls. Freedom school has become a safe haven for the kids to truly express themselves while exercising their rights as influential beings within our society. It has instilled the love and importance of literacy because it is FUNdamental. It was once said before and repeated again, freedom school is more than a moment but it s a movement. Joy, Freedom School Student Leader Intern As an educator of 14 years, I understand how fundamental reading is to one s success. Freedom School has been such an inspirational program and I have truly been motivated by the movement it has created for my community. I am especially grateful for the support of Peace UCC and the entire Webster Groves community. I d like to thank Ms. Darcy, Ms. Jenn, and Pastor Wendy for their continued support of CDF Freedom School. There s no school like it and it has definitely been an honor to serve. Candice deboise, Freedom School Site Coordinator I have thoroughly enjoyed my last 2 summers working at Peace UCC Freedom School. The scholars are a joy to spend the summer with, and I have been blessed with a wonderful host site and even better coworkers. A Freedom School summer is a great summer! Megan Davis, Freedom School Student Leader Intern To say the least, Freedom School has been a life-changing experience. Teaching is truly a calling from the Lord, and molding the young minds of the future is the least I can do to achieve God s will. Maalik Shakoor, Freedom School Student Leader Intern Freedom School has been such a meaningful experience! I learn everyday from my scholars and I am so grateful. I feel so supported and loved by the Freedom School Family. My scholars are bright, funny, and so energetic. Freedom School has taught me compassion, patience and how to be a better leader. I cannot wait to continue to advocate for children in my career. Bianca Shurn, Freedom School Student Leader Intern The opportunity to serve as an SLI for Freedom School has been an absolute blessing. The relationships I built with the scholars, parents, and even volunteers has even amazing. I ve never been happier to start my Monday s. My experience at Freedom School was fun because I got to learn and grow with my scholars! Nzango Yabarafundi THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC SUNDAY, JULY 29 TODAY 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Sandwich Ministry 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 5:30 p.m. Gateway ONA Potluck MONDAY, JULY 30 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting TUESDAY, JULY 31 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 7:00 p.m. CHARIS Movie Night SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Learning Time 11:00 a.m. Worship Service For a complete calendar visit: Mission, Vision & Values Our Mission Following the God made known in the life and teachings of Jesus, we at Peace United Church of Christ gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship, learn and serve. Our Values As a community, Peace United Church of Christ celebrates the values embodied in the ministry of Jesus: Inclusiveness in our diversity, Intentionality in our commitment to social justice, Intimacy in our fellowship together, Inspiration in our communal worship and Inquisitiveness in our personal spiritual growth. Our Vision We desire to be a leader in helping the wider community affirm that God is still speaking.