Bulletin – Sunday, October 4, 2020

Sunday, October 4, 2020
Creation 4
Worldwide Communion Sunday

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

We light the Christ candle knowing that Christ’s love shines like a beacon for those of us who are troubled, who are anxious, who are unsure, who are feeling lost, who are questioning, and when we light this candle we know that were we being welcomed into the presence of our God, who loves us into fullness.

(adapted from Fern Gibbard, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, page. 32)

Call to Worship

What a tremendous day! We gather to celebrate!
With people from around the world, we join as partners on a journey

We sing thanksgiving! We sing hope! We are the church, strong and resilient in Christ.
With one voice, we proclaim God’s inclusiveness. With one voice, we gather around the world today. With one voice we worship God.

(adapted from Laura Turnbull, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, page 45)

Hymn – “In Christ There is No East or West”

In Christ there is no east or west,
In him no south or north,
But one great family of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, people of the faith,
Whate’er your race may be;
All children of the living God
Are surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west,
In him meet south and north;
All Christ-like souls are one in him
Throughout the whole wide earth.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

God, we give thanks for the beauty that surrounds us. We sense the smell of the food that sustains us. We feel hugs and greetings that nurture us. We hear laughter and song that nourish us. Remind us to listen to your world, the moans and joys. Teach us to care for and treasure your body, your world, as we do our own.

As we meet you at the table this day, a table that is open to all, we know that there are times when we have fallen short. There are times when we have contributed to the brokenness of this world. Those times when we have taken for granted the beauty of the world that you created. Those times when we have failed to see those who are struggling, those who are lost, and those who are lonely.

Remind us once again to listen to your call to come to the table. Remind us of your radical love and acceptance and help us to be formed in your likeness.

We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hymn – “From the Salve Pens of the Delta”

“From the salve pens of the delta, from the ghettoes on the Nile,
Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile”:
So God spoke from out of Sinai, so God spoke and it was done,
And a people crossed the waters toward the rising sun.

“From the aging shrines and structures, from the cloister and the aisle,
Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile”:
So the Son of God has spoken, and the storm-clouds are unfurled,
For his people must be scattered to be servants in the world.

When we murmur on the mountains for the old Egyptian plains,
When we miss our ancient bondage, and the hope, the promise, wanes,
Then the rock shall yield its water and the manna fall by night,
And with visions of a future shall we march toward the light.

In the maelstrom of the nations, in the journey into space,
In the clash of generations, in the hungering for grace,
In our agony and glory, we are called to newer ways
By the God of our tomorrows who is God of earth’s todays.

Time for All Ages

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-20

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn – “Open Your Ears, O Faithful People”

Open your ears, O faithful people,
Open your ears and hear God’s word.
Open your hearts, O faithful people,
God now speaks to you.
God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!
And those words are words of wisdom, hallelujah!

They who have ears to hear the message,
They who have ears, now let them hear.
They who would learn the way of wisdom,
Let them hear God’s word.
God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!
And those words are words of wisdom, hallelujah!

Meditation – “To Live as God’s People”

Anthem – “10 Commandments”

The Response

Prayers of the People

We will not find that needed justice in our apathy; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will not find that elusive wholeness with our quarreling; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will not find our hoped for unity with our doctrines; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will not find our misplaced love with our hating; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will not find that rest we crave in our overflowing planners; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will not find the peace you offer in our well nursed grudges; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

But we will find you in the brokenness of the Bread and in the breaking of our hearts; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will find you when we drain the Cup, refill it with our gifts, and offer it to a little child; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will find you when we squeeze closer together, making room at the Table for all your people; so we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

We will find in you the care and compassion that we show one another each and every day. We will find you in the words that we offer, the songs that we sing, and the prayer we say, hear us now as we offer to you the names in the community whom we hope feel your presence with them this day… So we ask for your guidance as we come together today around the world. Remind us that we are one people brought together in your love.
Bring us closer together as you hear our prayers this day.

Help us to find you, God in Community, Holy in One, even as we pray together, saying,
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn – “O For a World”

O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

Of for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.

Benediction

Grain which once was scattered over the fields was brought together to feed us. Grapes pulled from the vine, squeezed to give us drink. Now out time of worship draws to a close. Now we are dispersed like that grain, off to give the food of life to a hungry world. Now we go out as people connected to the vice, go out to bring juice of life where the world has been drained dry.

As people who have been fed in the Spirit, go now to feed the world. As those who have been given hope, bring hope in place of despair. May God help us to do so. And always remember that we are never cut off from the love of God. The Bread of Life, the True Vine is with us always. And so we always share in Hope’s Banquet. Thanks be to the One who hosts the banquet! Amen.

Response

Travel on, travel on, there’s a spirit that is flowing,
A spirit that is flowing night and day.
Travel on, travel on, with the spirit that is glowing,
The spirit will be with us all the way.
Travel on, travel on, with the river that is flowing,
The spirit will be with us all the way.

Categories: General News, Sunday Bulletin and Announcements, Worship