A Service of Worship for
April 18, 2021
COFFEE TIME Gathering on Zoom
Today, 11AM We will begin as a large group before we transition into “rooms" for coffee time. Log in details on the Online Gatherings page. |
Adult Education:
Richard Johnson will talk to us about sustainability. As his Rice bio makes clear, he is eminently qualified to share his knowledge and wisdom with us. Richard Johnson is the director of the Administrative Center for Sustainability and Energy Management at Rice. In this role he leads Rice’s sustainability program and also oversees a team of energy managers and analysts. Richard holds appointments as a Professor in the Practice of Environmental Studies in Sociology and as an Adjunct Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He also serves as the Co-Director of the Environmental Studies Program. He has taught over 20 classes at Rice. He is also the former President of the Board of the Houston Farmers' Market, now the Rice University Farmers Market. Zoom link is available on the Online Gatherings page on our website: https://www.covenanthouston.org/covenant-gatherings.html Full worship service video:
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Prelude
"God Moves in a Mysterious Way" by C. Hubert Parry. Andrew Bowen, organ. Call to Worship Opening Sentences Today we give ourselves to the movement of hope in the world adding our small lives to its great cause and joining our voices to its song without giving up or giving in. Scripture Lesson: Acts 3:12-26
Hymn "How Firm a Foundation," Tune: Foundation. The Covenant Singers. Andrew Bowen, organ. The Covenant Singers. Time for Children Confession Unison Confession
Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen. Prayer
Dear Jesus, We pray in your name. We pray with our lives: seeking to embody your mission and ministry: your justice, peace, and hope. We pray for ourselves and each other as we grieve so many deaths, so many losses, so many changes. We pray for those who are sick, we pray for those who are care-givers, we pray for those celebrating. We pray for the family of Daunte Wright and for his friends and for our country. We pray that we will all embody anti-racism, we pray that we will use more than our words - that we will use all of our resources to create change. We pray: Black Lives Matter. We continue our prayers with “Ella’s Song.” The words were written by Ella Baker and the music is by Dr. Bernice Johnson and performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock: We pray that we will be one of the number who stand against tyranny. We pray that we will demand that the killing of black men and black mother’s sons is as important as the killing of white men and white mother’s sons.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. - Laura Mayo |
Invitation
Prayer of Dedication With this new day, we open our eyes and we pray: God, inhabit our seeing. Live in our looking. Be our vision and our sight. Illumine us, that we may perceive you, know you, welcome you in all the ways you go hiding in this world. Doxology
THE CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION Invitation to the Table
Sharing the Bread and the Cup You are welcome to use whatever elements you have for communion this Sunday.
Music "O Love, How Deep" by Everett Titcomb. The Covenant Singers, directed by Fran Avera. Patrick Parker, piano. Affirmation of Faith The role of Jesus as God-Incarnate was to liberate the oppressed: Jesus Christ is God God’s-self coming into the very depths of human existence for the sole purpose of striking off the chains of slavery, thereby freeing humans from ungodly principalities and powers that hinder the relationship with God. Benediction Postlude "In Thee is Joy," by J. S. Bach. Andrew Bowen, organ. |
Worship Notes
The worship leader is Paula Ortega.
The prelude and postlude are played by Andrew Bowen, organ.
The Call to Worship is “Blessing for Knowing” by Jan Richardson.
The Opening Sentences are by Jeremy Rutledge.
The Unison Confession is from The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown.
“O Love, How Deep” is sung by The Covenant Singers, November 25, 2018, Fran Avera, directing.
The Prayer of Dedication is from In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer by Jan Richardson.
The Affirmation of Faith is from Black Theology and Black Power by James H. Cone.
The worship leader is Paula Ortega.
The prelude and postlude are played by Andrew Bowen, organ.
The Call to Worship is “Blessing for Knowing” by Jan Richardson.
The Opening Sentences are by Jeremy Rutledge.
The Unison Confession is from The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown.
“O Love, How Deep” is sung by The Covenant Singers, November 25, 2018, Fran Avera, directing.
The Prayer of Dedication is from In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer by Jan Richardson.
The Affirmation of Faith is from Black Theology and Black Power by James H. Cone.
Sunday schedule for today:
9:00 - Adult Education with Zoom
10:00 - Worship via videos on the Worship Page
11:00 - Transition from worship to coffee time with Zoom
9:00 - Adult Education with Zoom
10:00 - Worship via videos on the Worship Page
11:00 - Transition from worship to coffee time with Zoom
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