Genesis 12:1-9 I wanted to spend one more week talking about God’s call to Abram. Last week, I talked about how Abram paused on his journey when he arrived at Canaan, discerning where to go next. This week I found myself thinking about all the actions Abram took in face of his doubts: about how he built that altar of […]
*Call to Worship (responsively) One: We were created in relationship and for relationship. Many: We are created for community! One: God knew it was not right for us to be alone. Many: We are created for community! One: Through Jesus Christ, God entered into human relationship with us. Many: We are created for community! One: We rejoice in our unity with all humanity. Many: We are created for community! Source: Worship Ways, UCC.org, October 4th, 2015 *Invocation (unison) O God of love, you have called us into the church. We thank you for the opportunities to grow in understanding and concern for one another. May our congregation be an incarnation of your love within and beyond these church doors, wherever there is loneliness, injustice, or misunderstanding; through Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Strength. Amen. Source: Bread for the Journey edited by Ruth Duck, alt. Hymn Options: When in Awe of God’s Creation (lyrics) – Great words to a familiar tune, #688 in the Chalice Hymnal All Who Hunger Gather Gladly (video and lyrics) – #419 in the Chalice Hymnal As We Gather at Your Table (Youtube video) – Lyrics by Carl Daw, communion hymn Let Us Build a House (video and lyrics) – Great words, new tune but not too hard to learn Spirit of the Living God (lyrics) – Familiar hymn with inclusive language for God and humanity
One: In the beginning, God created one person. Many: But it was not right for that one person to be alone. One: That person had God, but needed an equal, so God made animals. Many: God made giraffes and zebras, frogs and lizards, fish of the sea and birds of the air. One: But it still wasn’t enough, so God made another person, an equal, someone to share with, and talk with. Many: God created relationship. God created communion. One: And then God took it one step further. God looked at the many people living in relationship with one another and decided to join the community! Many: God came to be with us in the form of Jesus. One: And one night, when Jesus had gathered with the community at a table, Jesus took the bread and, giving thanks, broke it and shared it with those who had gathered, saying, “This is my body.” Many: In the sharing of the bread, we celebrate that Christ is present among us. One: Then Jesus took the cup, raised it up, giving thanks to you, O God, and gave it to those who had gathered, saying, “This is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many.” Many: The cup that we pour symbolizes our communion with one another. One: Let us join together as the priesthood of all believers in blessing these gifts, praying: All: Come Holy Spirit, come and pour out your […]
Genesis 12:1-9 As I read the story these past couple weeks about Abram being called from where he lived to a new land, it struck me that this story is about transition. It is about journeying in stages, about leaving behind the old and journeying to what comes next. Over these past couple weeks, I found myself thinking about transitions, […]
