Bulletin – Sunday, September 13, 2020

 Sunday, September 13, 2020
Creation 1

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

People of God, awaken your senses to what is around you and discover the glory of God.
We notice God everywhere we turn: in the sky, in the world around us, and in the people we meet.

People of God, praise God for goodness towards all things and all people.
Every day we are aware of the renewed cycle of God caring for us: in the rising sun and in the cycles of the moon, stars, and seasons.

People of God, come, together let us praise our God.
Let us praise our God in word and song.

(adapted from Jeanne Wilson, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, page 25)

Hymn – “Praise God for This Holy Ground”

Praise God for this holy ground,
Place and people, sight and sound.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.

Praise God in whose word we find
Food for body, soul, and mind.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.

Praise God who through Christ makes known
All are loved and called God’s own.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Gracious God, source of all life and hope, you have revealed to us that your presence brings light into this world.

O God, we feel you all around us, through the beauty of your creation, the earth, the sky, the sea life, and all its glory.

Holy God, we know that you are the answer to our needs. You meet us in so many places and in some many ways Gracious God.

Whether or not we’re ready to notice you, you come alongside us. Even when we’ve done things that have caused harm—to your creation, to ourselves, to others, to you—you do not turn away.

Thank you for all that you are in our lives, yesterday, today, forever. Amen.

(adapted from Tony Tuck and Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, pages 27 and 29)

Words of Assurance

Time for All Ages

Hymn – “How Firm a Foundation”

How firm a foundation, you servants of God,
Is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word!
What more can be said than to you has been said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed!
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 14:19-31

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

Meditation – “Do We Dare Enter the Sea?”

Anthem – “Do We Dare?”

The Response

Prayer

Creator God, Liberating Spirit, Risen Christ, we join our hearts with your people everywhere as we remember and pray for all who are oppressed and the prophets who advocate for them.
Loving God, hear the prayers of our hearts.

We join our voices with our prayers and with all the saints who have journeyed the way of love before us, and all those who take up the work of peace and justice in our time.
Loving God, hear the prayers of our hearts.

We lift up our prayers for all victims of violence, as well as for those who create violence in our world.
Loving God, hear the prayers of our hearts.

We lift up our prayer for victims for uncaring systems, systems of inequality, systems of institutional racism, systems of oppression and we also pray for those who benefit from these systems that they see how they benefit and work towards true equality and equity in the world.
Loving God, hear the prayers of our hearts.

We lift up our prayers for this fragile planet, your creation that is so often taken for granted. We also lift up in prayer all those who would wound your wondrous creation.
Loving God, hear the prayers of our hearts.

Loving God let this week be holy, filled with grace and mercy. We pray that this place be a sanctuary for those in pain, a place that brings hope, faith, and love, as we lift up to you those in this community whom we hope feel your loving presence in their lives today…
Loving God, hear the prayers of our hearts.

Let his time of worship bring us closer together, closer to you, Eternal One. And we gather all our prayers together into the prayer that Jesus taught us 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 – “God of Grace and God of Glory”

God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;
Now fulfil your church’s story; bring it bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo, the hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, assail your ways;
Fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days.

Set our feet on lofty places, gird our lives that they may be
Armoured with all Christlike graces, pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grants us courage,
That we fail not them nor thee.

Benediction

As you leave worship this morning, I invite you to notice! Notice the sky that brightens, the earth that supports; the air that invigorates, the flowers that praise; the smiles that warm, the people who love. Notice the rivers that flow, the lakes that invite, the rhythm of seasons, Take in the beauty of creation with every breath. Notice and discover in the noticing, our call to care for God’s gift of creation. Amen.

(adapted from Jani Francis, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, page 32)

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 flowing,
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.