(Geode used with permission from Deidre Woollard) You that would judge me, do not judge alone this book or that, come to this hallowed place where my friends' portraits hang and look thereon think where man's glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends. -William Butler Yeats, poet www.colonialucc.org 913-362-7735 10:15 a.m. September 7, 2014
2 The Colonial Church in Prairie Village United Church of Christ Don t Judge a Book by Its Cover Gathering Sunday Worship Service in the Series Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Please silence your mobile phone in preparation for worship * Please rise in body or spirit WE GATHER AS GOD S PEOPLE ORGAN PRELUDE Beach Spring -Kern CHORAL PRELUDE This is the Day the Lord has Made 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 #332 As We Gather at Your Table WE GATHER AT THE TABLE OF GRACE Communion Prayer Pastor: Gracious Giver of wisdom and knowledge, we remember your Word of justice and love which was spoken boldly in the lives of so many men and women who have gone before us in our faith, and we pray that we may be like them in service and witness. People: So too, we remember this day your Word made flesh in the man called Jesus who showed us the inclusive sweep of your love through radical acts of self-giving love and stories which even today we love to tell and read. As we eat this bread and drink this cup may we be strengthened to follow in the path of Jesus and carry your Good News of hope and justice to those around us who lack life s basics like shelter, food, and education. May this holy meal strengthen our compassion and resolve to teach and advocate for all.
3 All: Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, God. (Music is #793 in our hymnal.) Consecration of the Bread and Cup Sharing the Bread and Wine (The choir will sing Namaste by Mark Hayes as this holy meal is served. 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 hymn, and we will eat it together as a sign of our unity.) Prayer of Thanksgiving Holy One, by this meal we are given what we need to continue to serve the great love you showed us in Jesus and to witness to your holy Word. We are grateful that we go forth from here believing that we have all we need to be your Stillspeaking people, seeking wisdom and justice for all through the work of our church, and in our daily lives. We rejoice and give thanks that, through your grace and our efforts to address the literacy crisis in our nation, that your Word will go forth, be heard and read, and lives will be changed! (Words from UCC Worship Ways.) * 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.
4 THE WORD PROCLAIMED WE HEAR GOD S WORD Pastor Aaron Roberts How God Sees People 1 Samuel 16:6-7 Samuel looked at Eliab and thought that must be the LORD s anointed right in front. But the LORD said to Samuel, Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven t selected him. God doesn t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the LORD sees into the heart. Jesus on Judging Matthew 7:1-5 Don t judge, so that you won t be judged. You ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. Why do you see the splinter that s in your brother s or sister s eye, but don t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, Let me take the splinter out of your eye, when there s a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother s or sister s eye. John 7:24 Don t judge according to appearances. Judge with right judgment. A Christian Response Philippians 2:4 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. Express your thoughts via social media at #ColonialUCC.
5 WE RESPOND WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER * HYMN #539 Won t You Let Me Be Your Servant? CALL TO OFFERING AND OFFERTORY O Lord my God -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 We are pilgrims on a journey, and we never have to be alone. Help gather people together in communities of love and compassion. Help us be your church, and as that church take what we sacrifice now to work towards justice and peace. 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, 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.
6 WE DEPART TO SERVE * 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. * BLESSING BENEDICTION ON OUR GATHERING SUNDAY PARTY * CONGREGATIONAL SONG OF GATHERING SUNDAY CELEBRATION #236 Halleluja Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja. Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja. Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja. Halleluja, hallejuja. * POSTLUDE Toccata in 7 -Rutter Liturgist: Children s Conversation: Greeter: Communion Servers: Head Usher: Ushers: Tim Owens Pastor Aaron Roberts Marilyn Uppman Sally Huggins, Stacy Huggins, Bill Yohn, Ancel Neuburger Elizabeth Uppman Chucho Marquez, Sally Huggins, Mariam Fleming
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8 Colonial Church Study Guide During September, you are encouraged to take part in the United Church of Christ s One Read of Hot Dogs and Hamburgers: Unlocking Life's Potential by Inspiring Literacy at Any Age by Rob Shindler. Our study guide will be the discussion guide written by Darlene Collins who is the National Literacy Coordinator for our Justice and Witness Ministries. Week One Read Chapters 1-5 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. John 7:24 I had judged a book by its cover Why do we take one look at someone and sum up their worth or character in one glance? Was your judgment based on negative stereotypes, preconceived notions, or simply not taking a closer look? What kind of father turns his back on his own son? That s not a question; it s a confession. The author confesses that he tried to keep his son s learning disability a secret. Was it to guard his son from harm or to guard himself from negative perceptions? Have you ever struggled with acceptance for being different? Have you ever been challenged to accept another because of their difference? How did you overcome these struggles? Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 In the end, individual motivations are irrelevant because hope loves company. Everyone has their own journey or story, but there are needs that connect us all. Do you think that the author s motivations are selfish? What motivates you to help another?
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