Welcome to Worship at KUC
Proper 8 – Year A June 26, 2011 BCx2 Sunday
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn…” Isaiah 58:8
*Denotes, please rise as you are able.
Meditation for Personal Preparation:
“Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.” ~ Buddha
“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us, “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.” ~ Albert Einstein
“The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.” ~ Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi
We Gather as People of God
Hymn Sing & Welcome
Life & Work of the KUC Community
Happy Birthday to you; in Jesus be true. May all of God’s Blessings, descend upon you.
Lighting of the Christ Candle & Procession of our Prayers with Music for Centering
*Call to Worship & Gathering Prayer:
Sacred Love, the earth has turned and summer is finally upon us.
We’ve been waiting for it with longing, as we wait and long for you –
We yearn to feel wrapped in warmth and embraced by light;
to gather, breathe and relax with friends and family;
to spend time in reflection and renewal;
to experience new adventures and travel new pathways;
to learn to sing new songs and dance to your rhythm.
May this and each Sunday be like a perfect Summer day.
In your presence, and among friends and family,
May this time nurture our souls and illumine our journey
Open to your mystery, this we pray….and the people say, Amen.
*Hymn: MV#178 “Who is My Mother”
Prayer for Healing & Renewal
Creator God, you tell us that you don’t want humble and contrite hearts on Sunday morning if we’re only going to fight and squabble, judge, complain and mislead through the week. You say that you don’t want us to punish and withhold from ourselves in the hope that our misery will make you happy. You don’t want false modesty, empty sincerity, self-serving acts of compassion, and begrudging generosity.
No, you would rather we live into your will for us; you would rather we love into your vision for creation, freely; joyfully; graciously. Yet, sometimes, God, living up to your hopes and expectations seems so difficult. Other things, life, worries, aches and pains get in the way. There are days when choosing the pathways of justice; when showing mercy; when acting from our compassionate hearts, are healthiest most true centres seems the most necessary and clear thing to do; but it can also be the most challenging thing to do.
Help us, Holy Light, to live, to love and to serve you from our very best places and from our weakest places; for the sake of the world you so love…Into the silence, we raise ourselves into you…
Sung Response: MV#79 “Spirit, Open My Heart” v.2&3
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving,
Spirit, open my heart.
2. Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory.
3. May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another.
Assurance:
God is good. God is love. God forgives and continues to call us from darkness into light; from ignorance into knowledge; from bondage into freedom; from death into life. It doesn’t matter who we are; what we’ve done or not done. God will never stop inviting us into a new day. We just have to say, “Yes! Thanks be to God. Amen!”
We Listen for God’s Word
Time with the People of God: “Show and Tell: BC Conference 2011”
Song of Blessing: “Who Am I?” ~ Unknown
Chorus: Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Who am I?
Oh—who am I? Who am I to say, “No!”
I will send you to the Pharaoh, God of Mercy said to Moses.
So that you can free my people. Who am I to say, No?
I will send you to Ni-ne-vah, God of Mercy said to Jonah.
So that you can free my people. Who am I to say, No?
I will send you to the palace, God of Mercy said to Esther.
So that you can free my people. Who am I to say, No?
I will send you to the world, God of Mercy said to Jesus.
So that you can free my people. Who am I to say, No?
I will send you to the nations, God of Mercy said to us!
So that you can free my people. Who am I to say, No?
Scriptures:
-
“What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow; that is the whole Law: all the rest is interpretation.” Hillel
-
“Our Image of Jesus,” from Present On Earth, John Bell of Iona Community, 2004
- Isaiah 58:6-14
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Response: Thanks be to God!
Reflection: “Faithful Public Witness” ~ Rev. Teri Meyer
Hymn of Reflection: MV#171 “Christ Has No Body Now but Yours”
We Respond in Faith
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer (VU#959): (Bruce)
Folk of Note Anthem: “In This Very Room” – Ron & Carol Harris
*Passing of the Peace:
This is no ordinary Peace we pass to one another. It is Christ’s peace – it is mystery; it is wonderful; and it is even better when shared. May the Peace of Christ be with you all… …And also with you.
Offering: (Bruce)
*Presentation Song: MV#122 “This is the Day” (x2)
This is the day that God has made; we will rejoice and be glad!
This is the day that God has made; we will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hal-le-lu, singing hal-le-lu, singing hal-le-lu!
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hal-le-lu, singing hal-le-lu, singing hal-le-lu!
We will rejoice and be glad!
*Prayer of Dedication: (Bruce)
Hymn of Thanksgiving: VU#87 “I Am the Light of the World”
We Are Sent Forth
*Commissioning & Benediction:
Go into the world with God’s Love;
Christ’s courage and audacity;
And the Holy Spirit’s playfulness and power.
May your living and loving not only fan the flame within your hearts;
may you enliven and brighten the hearts of the people you meet – strangers and friends.
Amen. Amen. And the people say, Amen.
*Choral Closing: VU#420 “Go to the World” vs. 2&4
Go to the world! Go into every place.
Go live the Word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
for I am with you ’til the age shall end,
when all the hosts of glory cry ‘Amen!’
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Participating in today’s service:
Revs. Teri Meyer & D. Bruce Comrie
Michele Walker, Marie Allen & Kathy Johnson – KUC’s Presbytery Representatives
Scripture Reader: Lynda Fisher