A Service of Worship for
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I fell this morning
a shuffled foot over brick raised by inconstant earth that will not stay in one place – like neighbor’s cat I was slowly evicting, the one that wanted to eat my cat’s food put on my decaying wooden porch - wood rotting from the rain of this tropical clime, where water has to keep shuffling from earth to sky; nothing staying in place. |
I fell flat over uneven
bricks; my knees breaking the plane, my breath adding to the water soaked air and stars beyond skidding clouds above me, which I, carefully rolling over, studied, contemplating my possible brokenness or wholeness, under a Buddha’s Hand, when a cat came and meowed questioningly, as I resolved to lie again in that beautiful place on cold bricks under the stars. |
Kathleen Cook
Worship notes are also included at the bottom of this page.
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Prelude
"Resonance and Reflection" by Margaret R. Tucker, played by the Bayou City Bells of Houston, David Lee, Music Director. Call to Worship Opening Prayer Living God, astound us once more with signs of your presence. In the withered corners of our love, amaze us with small, swelling buds. In the dead center of our despair, astonish us with tender shoots of hope. Across the barren fields of betrayal, let our bewildered eyes open to the greening of forgiveness. Into the frozen certainties of our endings, breathe warmth, that faith again may flower and exude the honey-damp fragrance of life. All praise and thanks to you, surprising God. Amen. Scripture Lesson: Psalm 23, from The Message Time for Children Call to Confession Unison Confession
If I were to invent a sin to describe what that was—for how I lived—I would not say it was simply that I didn’t stop to smell the roses. It was the sin of arrogance, of becoming impervious to life itself. I failed to love what was present and decided to love what was possible instead. Special Music “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” sung by Casey Okabayashi. Text by Isaac Watts. Proclamation |
Music
Anthem: “Psalm 23” by Franz Schubert. Recorded in the original German. God is my Shepherd, I shall lack nothing.
God feedeth me in pastures green, and leadeth me beside still waters, The Lord restoreth my soul; And leadeth me in paths of righteousness To praise God’s holy Name. Yea, though I walk through death’s dark shadowed valley, Yet I will fear no evil, for thou dost shelter me: thy rod and staff they comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table for me before the face of all my foes, thou has anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. Thy goodness and thy mercy, they shall ever follow me; Yea, I shall dwell forever in the house of the Lord forevermore. Invitation Prayer Holy one, be our shepherd. Walk with us through this valley of sickness and death, of frustration and fatigue, of overwhelm and awe. Remind us that we can be faithful and frightened. Help us to be honest with you. Help us to be honest with ourselves and each other - to reach out to you and to each other when we need to connect. Help us to see the holy, the sacred in these days. Give us the courage and strength we need to focus on love, to find new ways to work for justice and peace, to meet the onslaught of these challenges. We pray this day for our world, for our country, for our city, for our church community, for ourselves. We pray for those who are ill, we pray for those who grieve, we pray for our healthcare workers, our grocery store workers, our now unemployed workers. We pray for teachers and students adjusting to so many changes. We pray for parents and caregivers who are becoming teachers. We pray for those alone at home, for those who feel isolated and alone. We pray for the relationships of those at home together: we pray for patience, for empathy, for kindness and calm. We pray for those whose savings are disappearing, those whose jobs are now unstable. We pray for those who had no savings, who were barely making it and now don't know what to do. We pray for wise and kind and just decisions from our government leaders. We pray for our collective anxiety, we pray for peace. Be our shepherd. Lead us in paths of peace. We pray for peace. Amen Prayer of Dedication Let us pray that we may notice and accept the Divinity of tiny things the Divine of ordinary miracles and even in the awkward mistakes. In frivolous conversation with friends in wordless companionship with a loved one in the work that seems futile one day but resonates with meaning the next. In the shared meal, and the shopping list In the peaceful sleep in the simple procession of the spring days. We pray this moment to keep tender vigil over our precious, imperfect lives. To know each one as a vessel, however cracked or broken, of the Holy. So may we strive to recognize the indwelling presence of God in all people, in all living things, and even in ourselves. Amen. Affirmation of Faith What words tell the truth? What balms heal? What proverbs kindle the fires and passion of joy? What spirituality stirs the hunger for justice? We seek answers to these questions—not only for ourselves, but for our communities and our society. What are the ways of being with one another that enable life to flourish, rich with meaning? When violence has fractured communities, isolated people, and broken hearts, how can life be repaired? We ask these questions not to arrive at final answers, but because asking them is fundamental to living. Postlude "Stick to the Craythur" by Green Fields America. Played by Jacy Grannis. |
Worship Notes
The worship leader is Melissa Bernadoni.
The prelude is "Resonance and Reflection" by Margaret R. Tucker, played by the Bayou City Bells of Houston, David Lee, Music Director.
The Call to Worship is “Love Abides” by Barbara Pescan.
The Opening Prayer is “Signs of Life” from The Well is Deep: Prayers to Draw Up Living Water by Virginia Rickeman.
The Unison Confession is from Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler.
Psalm 23 is sung by the Ohio State University Women's Glee Club.
The Music is "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" text by Isaac Watts, sung by Casey Okabayashi.
The Prayer is written by Laura Mayo.
The Prayer of Dedication is adapted from a prayer by Victoria Weinstein.
The Affirmation of Faith by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker.
The postlude is "Stick to the Craythur" by Green Fields America, played by Jacy Grannis.
The worship leader is Melissa Bernadoni.
The prelude is "Resonance and Reflection" by Margaret R. Tucker, played by the Bayou City Bells of Houston, David Lee, Music Director.
The Call to Worship is “Love Abides” by Barbara Pescan.
The Opening Prayer is “Signs of Life” from The Well is Deep: Prayers to Draw Up Living Water by Virginia Rickeman.
The Unison Confession is from Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler.
Psalm 23 is sung by the Ohio State University Women's Glee Club.
The Music is "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" text by Isaac Watts, sung by Casey Okabayashi.
The Prayer is written by Laura Mayo.
The Prayer of Dedication is adapted from a prayer by Victoria Weinstein.
The Affirmation of Faith by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker.
The postlude is "Stick to the Craythur" by Green Fields America, played by Jacy Grannis.
Copyright (c) 2020, Covenant Church
