We grow a little every time we do not take advantage of someone s weakness.

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of someone s weakness. Bernard Williams www.

1 (Used with permission of Lisarae Turnbull) We grow a little every time we do not take advantage of someone s weakness. Bernard Williams September 20, :15 a.m.

2 The Colonial Church in Prairie Village United Church of Christ Michal Sansa Stark Second Worship Service in the series The First Game of Thrones 1 Please silence your electronic devices in preparation for worship. * Please rise in body or spirit We Gather as God s People Gathering Music Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir Scheidt Welcome and Announcements (Please sign and pass pew pads and fill out Prayer Request cards you may have. You can place the Prayer Request cards in the offering plates later in the service.) A Moment to Lay Your Burdens Down * Opening Hymn # 397 Thank Our God for Sisters, Brothers * Call to Worship Leader: When we hear the calls to place efficiency above connection; People: May we remember that Love is patient. Leader: When our own problems blind us to the pain of others, People: May we remember that Love is kind. Leader: When we are tempted relationships for the benefits they offer, People: May we remember that Love does not seek its own interest. All: Let us all endeavour to be people of Love. (Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13 ) * Song of Praise Gloria #759 adapted Glory to the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen.

3 * Sharing God s Welcome (Greet everyone in the hope of peace and friendship.) Children s Conversation (Children of all ages are welcome to come forward to the chancel steps. Following the Conversation, children are welcome to remain to worship or to participate in our Sunday School.) This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, this little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, this little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. We Hear a Word from God A Word in Music Peter, Go Ring Them Bells arr. Hayes Keyboard accompaniment: Carolyn Pitts and Joseph Kern A Word Proclaimed Michal Chosen to be David s Bride 1 Samuel 18:20 21 Now Michal, Saul s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul about this, it pleased him. Saul said, I will give her to him so that she may become a snare to him and the hand of the Philistines may be against him. So Saul said to David, Today is the second time for you to become my son in law. A Relationship Gone Sour 2 Samuel 6:16, As the ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Saul s daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him. When David went home to pronounce a blessing on his own house, Michal, Saul s daughter, came out to meet him. She said, How the king of Israel has distinguished himself this day! He has exposed himself today before his servants slave girls the way a vulgar fool might do! David replied to Michal, It was before the LORD! I was celebrating before the LORD, who chose me over your father and his entire family and appointed me as leader over the LORD s people Israel. I am willing to shame and humiliate myself even more than this! But with the slave girls whom you mentioned let me be distinguished! 2

4 We Respond with Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 * Hymn # 495 Called as Partners in Christ s Service Call to Offering and Offertory Neighbors in Need Anne Dwyer * Doxology (#780 adapted; tune Old Hundredth) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heavenly host: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen. * Prayer of Dedication Gracious Giver of all gifts, in this holy moment make us aware, not so much of what we have given as of all we have received and so have yet to share. Let your generosity so flow through us, that our lives will be gifts given freely and abundantly in joy and thanksgiving. Amen. Time of Prayer Prayers of the People Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the Pastor will say: Lord, in your mercy. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer. Praying in Silence Our Lord s Prayer ( Our Father is the traditional way this prayer begins. You are invited to use whatever name for God you find most meaningful (Father, Mother, Creator, God, etc.). These names for God create a beautiful chorus.) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

5 We Depart to Serve 4 * Hymn # 393 Blessed Be the Tie That Binds * Renew Our Covenant (Turn towards the center aisle as we bless one another with the promise of our covenant.) We covenant with the Lord and with one another and do bind ourselves in the presence of God to walk together in Christian Love. We seek to worship God in spirit and in truth and to love our neighbors as ourselves. With God s help we will honor Colonial Church in our conduct, support its program, and extend the influence of Christ throughout the world. * Congregational Song of Blessing #809 God Be With You God be with you, God be with you, God be with you till we meet again. O God be with you, God be with you, God be with you till we meet again. * Gathering Sunday Blessing Benediction * Postlude Toccata in 7 Rutter Liturgist: Catherine Bowser Worship Graphics Operator: Hayden Huggins Children s Conversation: Matha Wofford Head Usher: Howard Lee Greeter: Heather Brasel Ushers: Ed and Leonore Rowe, Howard Lee

6 5 Our 10:00am Thursday morning Bible Study is doing something new this fall. We are going to do sessions with the Kerygma Discovering the Bible curriculum. Even if you cannot make the sessions, we re going to put the readings in our weekly study guide. If you would like to take part in the study, simply come on Thursdays or sign up for the group via infellowship from the church website. Keep the simple point in mind: our primary purpose is not simply learning information about the Bible. It is hearing God speak. Discovery 20 The Kingdom Read each passage and make notes on each. Matthew 9:35 38, Good New of the Kingdom Matthew 13:31 33, 44 52, Parables of the Kingdom Matthew 18:1 5, Who s the Greatest? Mark 4:1 20, The Parable of the Sower Mark 10:13 16, Jesus and the Children

7 Mark 15:1 15, Jesus before Pilate 6 Luke 10:1 12, Jesus Sends His Followers Luke 11:1 13, Your Kingdom Com Luke 13:22 30, The Narrow Door Luke 14:15 24, Parable of a Dinner

8 SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 Twenty fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 9: Welcome the Children Being welcoming to children, according to Mark s Gospel, is more than just something nice to do. It means opening yourself up not only to Jesus but, as Jesus said, to the one who sent me. If we want to know God then we should invite little children into our adult worlds like the world of congregational worship. In many churches, children are invited to hear a special message made just for them. Such children s messages are intended to be a moment of inclusion and welcome. However, some churches are asking whether that alone is welcome enough into the life of the church. Are children simply expressions of the lovable, or little adults waiting for their moment of maturity to contribute, or do they already have the gifts needed for leading and participating in our services of worship? Do they hold the key to a particular welcome into the Realm of God? Answering these questions has been part of the work of the Faith Formation Team of the United Church of Christ. They have worked with local churches, organized workshops, and created resources. At United Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a ten year long experiment in children s worship has blossomed into a program that is truly welcoming of children s leadership and presence in their congregational life. There, children learn the skills to lead worship and when ready they do so by reading scripture, sharing prayers and are present actively as full participants. To find out more about Chapel Hill and to download activity sheets and resources for including children in worship go to ucc.org and search for children.

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( Christ Feeds the Five Thousand used with permission from Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.)

( Christ Feeds the Five Thousand used with permission from Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.) A multiplier effect refers to a condition in which an increase in one activity, usually economic, can cause an increase