May 22, 2011 Our Community Gathers Rev. Kristen Klein-Cechettini Mark Eggleston We Gather Prelude HeavenSound Handbells From many places we gather here. This Grandioso is a high point of our by Darrell Day week. We see our friends. We make + new friends. And we Call to Worship Rev. Janice Ladd spend time with The Congregational Response: “Abide in us, O God!” Friend -- the loving Christ who meets us + Hymn where we are, as we are. In this Sanctuary Lead Me, Lord we worship, and by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine through worship the courage within us is kindled to inspire courageous living beyond this place. We Prepare As the prelude begins, the congregation is invited to be in an attitude of expectation for the worship of God. + Please rise in body or spirit. Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Bill O'Rourke (9 am) Marcial Renteria (11 am) Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Baptism Joshua Caleb Hawkins (11 am) Musical Selection Sanctuary Choir Hear My Prayer by Moses Hogan + Reading from the Gospels Georgette L. Monaghan (9 am) Nuria Navarrete (11 am) John 14:1-14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In God’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know Abba God the way to the place where I am going." When Jesus was in the Thomas said to Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we Garden of Gethsemane, know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one he called out to his comes to Abba God except through me. If you know me, you will know my Abba also. Heavenly Parent with From now on you do know my Abba and have seen God." Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, the Aramaic word show us God, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this "Abba!" This term is time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen God. How strictly translated can you say, 'Show us God'? Do you not believe that I am in Abba God and my Abba "Father" yet it carries is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but Abba God who with it such a depth of affection and intimacy dwells in me does. Believe me that I am in God and God is in me; but if you do not, that it communicates then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who not merely the fact believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than of Jesus' relationship these, because I am going to God. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that Abba with his parent but, God may be glorified in me. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it." more fully, the love and affection and intimacy of which that Response relationship is formed. In our choice to use this term - "Abba" - in our translations of the Bible texts, it is our hope that we, too, would come to experience not only the truth that we are God's children but that we might more fully know the intimate joy of this relationship, as it is formed in love and affection. 2 Spiritual Encouragement Rev. Kristen Klein-Cechettini Doxology Response A doxology (from the Greek "glory" + "saying") is a short hymn of praises to God in various Christian worship services. "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” was written in 1674 by Thomas Ken, an Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Church of England. Ken wrote this hymn at a time when the established church believed only Scripture should be sung as hymns, with an emphasis on the Psalms. In that atmosphere, Ken wrote this and several other hymns for the students Rev. Pat Farnan at Winchester College, Offering with strict instructions that they use them only ONE: In your way we are made vulnerable and protected; in their rooms, for private in your truth we are humbled and lifted up ... devotions. Ironically, the In your life we venture forth and find our way home again; last stanza has come into widespread use as the in your love you welcome us there. Doxology, perhaps the most frequently used piece of music in public worship. ALL: For you, O God, free the way behind us! For you, O God, open the path ahead! For you, O God, let us make the journey! For you, O God, let us take another's hand! May all that we are and share make way for your peace, We bear your truth, and bring your love to life ... Receive Amen! All congregations in MCC practice an open communion. We believe that Offertory Terry Jones communion is a visible sign of Christ's Heal The Wound presence and God's by Clint Lagerberg & Nichole Nordeman grace that each one of us, friend or member, may receive. Simply + come forward as Doxology the ushers direct. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; During Communion you Praise God, all creatures here below; will be offered bread and Praise God for all that love has done; cup with a brief blessing. Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One! Amen. We use grape juice for the cup so that all may participate. Communion Rev. Michael Diaz Gluten-free wafers are available from the communion server on the far right. Simply say, Communion Songs "Gluten free." The Servant Song If you desire a deeper Brother, sister, let me serve you partnering in prayer Let me be as Christ to you (intercessory prayer), Pray that I may have the grace prayer ministers are To let you be my servant, too available at the Side Altar during communion. We are pilgrims on a journey The Fishers Net Prayer We are together on this road Ministry is also available We are here to help each other following both services to Walk the mile and bear the load pray with you. 3 Sweet, Sweet Spirit There's a sweet sweet spirit in this place And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord There are sweet expressions on each face And I know that it's the presence of the Lord Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove Stay right here with us, Filling us with your love And for these blessings, We lift our hearts in praise Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived When we shall leave this place They Will Know we are Christians by Our Love We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord And we pray that all unity may one day be restored And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand Prayer And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land If you are in need of And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love prayer support, you can Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love find prayer partners available during our We will work with each other, we will work side by side time of communion We will work with each other, we will work side by side or after worship in And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride the right wing of the Sanctuary. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love We are Standing on Holy Ground We are standing on holy ground, Going Forth and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now, Siyahamba is a South We are standing in God’s presence on holy ground. African hymn that became popular in North American + Rev. Michael Diaz churches in the 1990s. Prayer of Thanksgiving The title means "We Are Marching" or "We are Walking" in + Going Forth in Song the Zulu language. "Siyahamba" originated Siyahamb’ Ekukhanyen’ Kwenkhos’ – We Are Marching in the Light of God in South Africa and is said to have been We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God.