(More Than Words used with permission from Andreanna Moya.)

Transcription

1 (More Than Words used with permission from Andreanna Moya.) Jesus warned us: be careful what you bless! A blessing is a bond; it s a promise, a covenant, a sending, and a sign. Did you think that you could call down that power and not be changed? :15 a.m. October 5, 2014

2 2 The Colonial Church in Prairie Village United Church of Christ More Than Words World Communion Sunday Worship Service in the Series bless! Please silence your mobile phone in preparation for worship * Please rise in body or spirit WE GATHER AS GOD S PEOPLE GATHERING MUSIC O Waly Waly -Diemer 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.) MOMENT TO LAY YOUR BURDENS DOWN * OPENING HYMN #25 O God, Our Help in Ages Past * CALL TO WORSHIP ARE YOU READY TO TALK ABOUT MONEY? SKIT * 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. * 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 attend 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.

3 3 THE WORD PROCLAIMED WE HEAR GOD S WORD Pastor Aaron Roberts The Root Reason for Religion Genesis 12:1-3 The LORD said to Abram, "Leave your land, your family, and your father's household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of earth will be blessed because of you." Blessing Food Mark 6:34-44 When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things. Late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, "This is an isolated place, and it's already late in the day. Send them away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy something to eat for themselves." He replied, "You give them something to eat." But they said to him, "Should we go off and buy bread worth almost eight months' pay and give it to them to eat?" He said to them, "How much bread do you have? Take a look." After checking, they said, "Five loaves of bread and two fish." He directed the disciples to seat all the people in groups as though they were having a banquet on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate until they were full. They filled twelve baskets with the leftover pieces of bread and fish. About five thousand had eaten. Express your thoughts via social media at #ColonialUCC.

4 4 THE WORD GIVEN IN OUR HOLY MEAL People divide Christ s church into various camps denominations. In 1982, a communion liturgy, known as the Lima Liturgy was created for use at ecumenical (meaning relationships between Christian denominations) gatherings. As we celebrate World Communion Sunday, we use that liturgy as a prayer for the unity of Christ s church under our one head Jesus Christ. Come share the Lord! Communion Prayer Pastor: In a world of longing, in work, in play and rest, in creative power and visions All: You are here, God, in Christ, our Savior. Pastor: In a world of disorder, in suffering, sorrow and struggle, in marginalization and powerlessness, All: You are here, God, in Christ our Redeemer. Pastor: In the church, your body, in life, death and resurrection, in signs of renewal and unity, All: You are here, God, in Christ our Intercessor. Pastor: In a world of hunger, in bread and wine, in prayer and unity, All: You are here, God, in Christ, the bread of life. Consecration and Sharing of the Bread and Cup Blessing the Bread and Cup Mark 14:22-24 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, Take; this is my body. He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. (As the bread and cup are served, the choir will sing This Holy Place by Hayes. Drink the cup as you are served as a sign of God s particular love for you. Hold the bread until the end of the music, and we will eat it together as a sign of our unity in Christ.)

5 5 Prayer of Thanksgiving Pastor: We have received bread and wine, the body and the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ. All: We thank you, LORD. Pastor: We will share your living Word in reflection and prayer, in faith and hope. All: We bless you, LORD. Pastor: We will sing your glory with body, mind, and spirit before you. All: We praise you, LORD. Amen. WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER CALL TO OFFERING AND OFFERTORY These are the Ten Holy Commandments -Dupre * 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 Loving God, as Jesus made a few loaves and fish into a meal for thousands, multiply our offerings. Take these gifts as a token of our desire for oneness with all who share your bread of life today. Amen. (UCC Worship Ways) 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

6 6 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.). Together our 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. WE DEPART TO SERVE * HYMN #423 Great Is Your Faithfulness * 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. * BENEDICTION AND POSTLUDE O Lord, Look Down From Heav n, Behold -Pachelbel Liturgist: Children s Conversation: Greeters: Communion Servers: Head Usher: Ushers: Chucho Marquez Shea Zellweger Sally Huggins, Cindy Lafferty Sally Huggins, Missy Flachsbarth, Cindy Lafferty, Bill Yohn Elizabeth Uppman Howard Lee, Mariam Fleming, Ancel Neuburger, Walter Seibert

7 7 Colonial Church Study Guide Day One The Beginning of Jesus Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Questions: Have you ever felt blessed by God? Can you describe the circumstances around that feeling?

8 8 Day Two Jesus warned us: be careful what you bless! A blessing is a bond; it s a promise, a covenant, a sending, and a sign. Did you think that you could call down that power and not be changed? Questions: What do you think happens when we bless? What role does God play? What happens to us? Day Three Blessing is the central act of Christian faith also Judaism and Islam. Before each worship service, every pew in our Colonial Church sanctuary is blessed with a prayer that God invites God s presence into the heart of every person who worships that day. At the end of each worship service, we turn towards the center aisle to bless one another as we head into our service to our neighbors the world. Questions: What does blessing mean to you? At the end of each day, spend a minute reflecting on how you may have blessed someone that day? How does that practice change you?

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