A Service of Worship for
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Worship notes are also included at the bottom of this page.
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Prelude
Mendy Smith, viola1; Barbara Creider, viola 2; Joel Belgique, viola 3: Michael Kimber “Reflection” Call to Worship Opening Prayer In times of struggle, God, you call us to give support; in times of uncertainty, you call us to offer a clear vision; in times of despair, you call us to speak a word of hope. Bless the good in all we give, and bless our gifts, that they may bring closer your dream of justice and peace. Amen. Scripture Lesson: John 11:1-45 and Galatians 5:22-26 Time for Children Call to Confession Unison Confession
When there’s doubt, there’s more considered faith. Likewise, when citizens doubt, patriotism becomes more informed. For Christians to render everything to Caesar-- their minds, their consciences-- is to become evangelical nationalists. That’s not a distortion of the gospel; that’s desertion. It’s wonderful to love one’s country, but faith is for God. National unity too is wonderful—but not in cruelty and folly. Music “Bread and Roses,” sung by the Covenant Singers. |
Proclamation
Prayer This prayer is from worldinprayer.org - A ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, California, USA God of peace, while the fear of the disciples cowering behind their locked doors can be felt in a much more literal way for so many of us this year, we are reminded that we often hide behind locked doors of many kinds out of fear, distrust, and anxiety. Be with those of Asian descent who face persecution and hate crimes in the United States and elsewhere because of the inaccurate association of the coronavirus with China. Protect those for whom locked doors cannot provide safety because their greatest threats come from among their own family members. Fill all of your children with a deep understanding of your peace, your shalom, which represents more than just the absence of struggle, but points to the wholeness and restoration that you desire for all creation. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. God of relationship, you send us out to fulfill your mission in the world, bringing comfort to the afflicted and hope to the hopeless. Raise up among us creative and faithful people who can address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all people during this time of global confusion and uncertainty. Help us to resist the temptation to withdraw our connections and support of one another. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. God of creation, so often we sneer at Thomas for his lack of faith and demand for empirical evidence. Remind us of the many times we have failed to act despite the evidence before our eyes. Even in the midst of international crisis, keep us mindful of other crises like the climate change impact on Greenland, where 600 billion tons of ice sheet were lost last year due to change in jet stream and weather patterns. Help us to see in Thomas not just a cynic to be pitied, but an example of how important it is for us to maintain a proper balance of science and faith as we move forward in our responses to the needs of your children and your world. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. God of hope, your love for us surpasses anything we could ask, imagine, or even perceive. Open our eyes to the evidence of your presence in this world that we encounter every day, even in the midst of pain, suffering, and loss. We rejoice at signs of love and hope as people like Francis and Veronica Gitonga of Nyahururu, Kenya, marry despite the restrictions and limitations placed on their ceremonies and celebrations. We pause together as nations and families to show gratitude for those who risk their lives to serve others, like in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where images of medics and signs of hope were projected onto the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Make us your hands and feet in the world, O God. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen.
Invitation Prayer of Dedication Empower me to be a bold participant, rather than a timid saint in waiting, in the difficult ordinariness of now; to exercise the authority of honesty; rather than defer to power, or deceive to get it; to influence someone for justice, rather than impress anyone for gain; and, by grace, to find treasures of joy, of friendship, of peace hidden in the fields of the daily you give me to plow. Affirmation of Faith It is more important to follow the way of Jesus than to believe or disbelieve the traditional claims about him. The real task of Christianity today is the challenge not only to go on interpreting the world in the old way, but to start disturbing it with renewed power. Benediction And so be at peace. Be and breathe. Act in love. Amen. Postlude Thalben-Ball: “Elegy,” Patrick Parker, organ. |
Worship Notes
The worship leader is Jme Guehring.
The prelude is played by Mendy Smith, viola1; Barbara Creider, viola 2; Joel Belgique, viola 3.
The Call to Worship is a prayer of Carola Moosbach from Jesus of Nazareth by Dorothee Soelle and Luise Schottroff.
The Opening Prayer is from Worship for All Seasons, edited by Thomas Harding.
The Unison Confession is from Credo by William Sloane Coffin.
“Bread and Roses” is sung by Covenant singers.
The Prayer of Dedication is a prayer from Wrestling with the Light by Ted Loder.
The Affirmation of Faith is adapted from Doubts and Loves: What Is Left of Christianity by Richard Holloway.
The postlude is played by Patrick Parker, organ.
The worship leader is Jme Guehring.
The prelude is played by Mendy Smith, viola1; Barbara Creider, viola 2; Joel Belgique, viola 3.
The Call to Worship is a prayer of Carola Moosbach from Jesus of Nazareth by Dorothee Soelle and Luise Schottroff.
The Opening Prayer is from Worship for All Seasons, edited by Thomas Harding.
The Unison Confession is from Credo by William Sloane Coffin.
“Bread and Roses” is sung by Covenant singers.
The Prayer of Dedication is a prayer from Wrestling with the Light by Ted Loder.
The Affirmation of Faith is adapted from Doubts and Loves: What Is Left of Christianity by Richard Holloway.
The postlude is played by Patrick Parker, organ.
Copyright (c) 2020, Covenant Church
