Bulletin – Sunday, September 27, 2020

Sunday, September 27, 2020
Creation 3

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

As on the first day, God made the world, as on the first day, God raised the Beloved from destruction, as on the first day, God calls you here:
In love, we answer your call, O God.

As on the first day, God calls us to celebration, to make a joyful noise, to make possible another world, to make friends with all God’s creatures.
In love, we answer your call, O God.

As on the first day, God calls us to worship with all that God has made.
In love, we answer your call, O God.

(adapted from Robin Wardlaw, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, page 25)

Hymn – “Crashing Waters at Creation”

Crashing waters at creation
Ordered by the spirit’s breath,
First to witness day’s beginning
From the brightness of night’s death.

Parting water stood and trembled
As the captives passed on through,
Washing off the chains of bondage –
Channel to a life made new.

Cleansing water once at Jordan
Closed around the one foretold,
Opened to reveal the glory
Every new and ever old.

Living water, never ending,
Quench the thirst and flood the soul.
Well-spring, Source of life eternal,
Drench our dryness, make us whole.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Giver of Life, we marvel at your creation of the earth, the joy in the rising and setting of the sun, the earth going to sleep in our autumn, and the knowledge of rebirth in the spring. Your love is the foundation of all life.

Let your purpose direct our movement on a path of justice. Let your wisdom help us make choices of truth.

Thank you, dear Creator, for your strength we receive every day, for that strength is the foundation of life. O God of Life and Love, you ask that we share the gifts of creation with all your people.

We admit that we have not always thought how our consumption and our sense of entitlement to the earth’s resources have impacted others. Forgive us for the times we have flagrantly used and overused resources that seem abundant to us, yet are scarce to others.

Forgive us for the times when we have turned our backs on the injustice of the way the world shares the fruits of your creation.

We ask your forgiveness, your patience, and your love. Amen.

(adapted from Nancy Styles and Stephanie Richmond, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2020, pages 28, 30)

Words of Assurance

Time for All Ages

Hymn – “O God of Bethel”

O God of Bethel, by whose hand
Your people still are fed,
Who through this earthly pilgrimage
Have all your servants led:

Our vows, Our prayers, we now present
Before your throne of grace.
God of past ages, be the God
Of each succeeding race.

Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And shelter fit provide.

O spread your covering wings around,
Till all our wandering cease,
And at our God’s beloved abode
Our souls arrive in peace.

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 17:1-17

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

Anthem – “Water from a Rock”

Meditation – “Life-Giving Water!”

The Response

Prayer

Teach me your ways, God, that I may come down from my heights and be open to the same Spirit who moved over the face of the waters in the first day of creation and moves also over the chaos of this time to fashion a day like this, a world like ours, a life like mine, a coming kingdom of love, mercy, justice, compassion, and peace. And make me aware of the miracles of life, of warm and cold, of starkness and order, of screaming wind and impenetrable silences, and of the unfathomable mystery of amazing grace in which I am kept. We pray for your guidance, Loving God.
Hear our prayer, and teach our hearts.

Teach me your ways, God, that I may praise you for all the surprising, ingenious ways you bless me, and for all the wondrous gifts you give me, along with all the pain and joy I sustain. We pray for your guidance, Loving God.
Hear our prayer, and teach our hearts.

Teach me your ways, God, that I may accept my own talent openly, nurture it hopefully, develop it faithfully, and give it freely. We pray for your guidance, Loving God.
Hear our prayer, and teach our hearts.

Teach me your ways, God, that I may love your kindness and practice it toward the hungry world, the poor and sick, and oppressed, that I may learn the healing humility that comes from you and that we become your presence of those in this community who need to feel your presence in their lives. We lift up to you those ones this day, as we pray for…We pray for your guidance, Loving God.
Hear our prayer, and teach our hearts.

Teach me your ways, God, so that my heart is flooded with your mercy–emptying it of what makes it firmly opposed to your ways, so that it beats more in rhythm with you and beats in time with your kingdom. Hear us this day as we continue to pray in the words that Jesus taught us;
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 – “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty, hold me with the powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield,
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side;
Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.

Benediction

May you be blessed and strengthened by god to move gently upon the earth, to stop when you have done enough, to rest when you are weary, and to rejoice in all creation. And my you know that God goes with you each and every step of the way. Have a blessed Sabbath. 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 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.