June 7, 2020 / 10:35 – Worship Guide Co-Pastors: Rev. Ron Harris and Rev. Karla Sheffy Worship Musicians: Sue Woods, Cheryl Doty & Lori Andrews Ministry of Music: Jubilee Ringers Bell Choir
Gathering Music (10:30) Welcoming - Rev. Karla Sheffy Welcome to worship this morning. Welcome to Worship Video Prelude Sue Woods Threshold Moment Rev. Karla Sheffy God Almighty is often described in terms of a Creator. The creation of God’s hands is spoken in scripture as being good. We are created in the image of God, infused with goodness of God’s heart. As a work of God’s hand we are infused with beauty. We are beckoned and called by God to be images of goodness and beauty for all of the Creation. We were made inherently worthy of this calling, not by our “doing,” but by our simply being. All things are beautiful, not by a standard of “pretty” as seen by our eyes, but by an essence of sacred worth that is sensed by the spirit. This is the root and heart of compassion and justice. Over the next six weeks our worship series will beckon us to return to the God of Grace and Beauty, who deeply loves us and beckons us to grow in that love with all of creation and with one another. HYMN of Beauty “For the Beauty of the Earth” UMH #92 (vs.1-5) Centering for the Day: Rev. Karla Sheffy Divine Goodness, Holy One, Pause us for this moment, bear us up in this time, hold us for eternity. We offer ourselves in connection with you. We allow ourselves this love from you. We release ourselves into your presence. And all the people say, “Amen.” Centering HYMN “For the Beauty of the Earth” UMH #92 (vs.6)
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer: Rev. Karla Sheffy Special Music - “Grazioso” by Arnold Sherman - Jubilee Ringers directed by Janine Henry Children’s Moment: Cindy Kienholz/Barb Muench HYMN “As the Deer” TFWS #2025 Scripture Reading:
Leader: Intro to Ezekiel 31:3-7 Consider Assyria, a cedar of Lebanon:
beautiful branches, dense shade, towering height;
indeed, its top went up between the clouds. Waters nourished it; the deep raised it up,
because its streams flowed around the place where it was planted. From there, water trickled down to all the other trees of the field.
And so it became higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches became abundant; its boughs grew long.
Because of the plentiful water, it grew freely. All the birds in the sky made nests in its branches;
all the beasts of the field gave birth under its boughs, and in its shade, every great nation lived. It became beautiful in its greatness and in its lush foliage,
because it took root in plentiful water.
Sermon “Beckoned by Beauty: Nourished by Living Water” Rev. Ron Harris Responding in Gratitude for God’s Gifts with our Offerings – Rev. Karla Sheffy * The Doxology - “Praise God, from Whom All Blessing Flow” #94 UMH Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Karla Sheffy Invitation and Directions for Communion (People at home have the communion elements ready) Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Divine Goodness and Love is with you! And also with you! Lift up your hearts We lift them up to our God. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise. ...And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: P: Holy, holy, holy, God who beckons us with grace and beauty. All creation joins in singing your glory. Hosanna in the highest. ...And so, in remembrance of your beautiful acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. ...Through your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, Beloved and Beloving God, now and forever. Amen. HYMN “Come to the Water” *lyrics below Sharing Opportunities for Ministry - Announcements Rev. Karla Sheffy
*Benediction Rev. Ron Harris Postlude
Come to the Water Paul Baloche, Steve Curtis-Chapman, Stuart Garrard, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin & Darlene Zschech
There’s a war going on just across the street, There’s a rage that’s burning to an angry beat. I can feel the thirst but there’s no relief. We need a river.
There’s a sound in the distance like a thunder cloud, We’re waiting for the rain while the sun beats down. Can you feel it rising from the underground? We need a river.
Oh, let justice roll like rivers. Oh, let mercy flow with love, love. Come to the water, come to the water of life, it will never run dry. Come to the water, run to the water of life. It will never run dry.
There’s a cry from the child in the factory, There’s a prayer for the prisoners of poverty. Save us from the greed and the apathy. We need a river.
There’s a hope like a flood running down our street, We’re an army of peacemakers on our feet. Take us to the place love and mercy meet. There is a river.
Oh, let justice roll like rivers. Oh, let mercy flow with love, love. Come to the water, come to the water of life, it will never run dry. Come to the water, run to the water of life. It will never run dry.