Gathering as the Body of Christ
Prelude
(in-person service only)
Welcome and Sharing of Announcements
*Call to Worship
Liturgist: Creating God, blessed are You and blessed is this time and place. Thank You for your people gathered here.
People: We are here! Being the Church! We have not retreated! We are standing in praise!
Liturgist: Reconciling Redeemer, You are the mender of our souls and the healer of our broken bodies. You lift us up, strengthen and sustain, nurture and nourish, heal and help.
People: Holy Fire, ignites a new spark in the heart of each one gathered here.
Liturgist: Light our way. Warm our bodies. Inspire our tongues to speak a new word, to shout another praise, and to sing an amazing song that will bring to us life and to You glory!
Institutes for Welcoming Resources: the More Light Presbyterians Retreat & Mission Weekend New Orleans, LA, 2006
*Opening Prayer
O God, whom no image can encompass, no definition encircle, and yet who meets us in the gentle touch of love, the beauty of a butterfly's wing, and the laughter of children, help us to move beyond our attempts to limit You, intellectualize You, or to eliminate You from all that is earthy, sensuous, or vibrant, so that we may greet You in every particle of this spectacular universe which You are creating. Amen.
Institutes for Welcoming Resources: the More Light Presbyterians Retreat & Mission Weekend New Orleans, LA, 2006
Opening Hymn
“Help Us Accept Each Other”
UMH #560
Liturgist: Please be seated and join in the prayer of confession and words of assurance.
Joys and Concerns
(in-person service only)
Pastoral Prayer
Prayer Response
“Let Justice Flow Like Streams”
by Jane Parker Huber
1) Let justice flow like streams of sparkling water, pure,
Enabling growth, refreshing life, abundant, cleaning, sure.
2) Let righteousness roll on as others’ cares we heed,
An ever flowing stream of faith translated into deed.
This is one of two hymns Jane Parker Huber wrote for special events emphasizing economic justice for women at the time of the reunification of two Presbyterian denominations in 1983.
Scripture Readings
John 1:1-5; 9-14, 17
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not….9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth…. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Old King James Version
Liturgist The word of God for the people of God.
People Thanks be to God.
Message
"The Gospel of Full Inclusion"
Rev. Duane Clinker
Message in Music
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
by Edwin Hatch & Robert Jackson
Nancy Burns
(online service only)
*Offertory Prayer
We come together to hear and be moved by the story of Jesus and the disciples. Lord, we also bring our whole selves and our gifts to this community. We share our gifts of heart and talent and treasure to build this community. May your kingdom come here and now. Amen.
Closing Hymn
“In Christ There Is No East or West”
UMH #548
The Blessing and Sending Forth
May Your gifts of love transform and enliven us that we may live lives of thanksgiving. May Your presence among us provoke such longing for Your realm that we will never be satisfied until the whole earth knows Your justice, Your peace, and Your love.
Amen.
Postlude
(in-person service only)
In-Person Servers
Organist: Matt Cron
Usher: Roy Higgins
Greeter: Sharon Lipp
Liturgist: Pastor Seok-Hwan
Online Servers
Liturgist: Pete Seymour
Video: Mark Beatty
