Let us not tire of preaching love,
It is the force that will overcome the world.
Bishop Oscar Romero
The Church Community Gathers
*An asterisk indicates: 'Please stand in body or spirit.'
Opening Music & Ringing the Church Bell
Greeting L: Deep peace be with you! ALL: And also with you!
Opening Words*
L: Spirit of joy, P: laugh with us!
L: Spirit of fire, P: ignite passion in us!
L: Spirit of creation, P: create anew in us!
L: Spirit of shalom, P: make peace through us!
L: Spirit of vision, P: inspire us!
L: Spirit of imagination, P: dream in us!
L: Spirit of promise, P: speak hope through us!
L: Spirit of justice, P: stir discontent in us!
L: Spirit of love, P: shine through us!
ALL: Open our hearts to your unexpected presence.
Open our minds to your alternative wisdom.
Renew our spirits to follow your life-changing call.
Open us, O God, to your Spirit!
Opening Song* Gathered Here NCH #742
Opening Prayer
O God, quiet us. In this holy moment, speak to us. Help us to empty our hearts and minds of things that are not so important. Fill us with the peace of your presence and the transforming power of your love. Amen.
Children’s Time and Passing the Peace
The Church Community Reflects
Gospel Reading – Part 1 Matthew 4:12-17
Congregational Response from Psalm 27:1, 4
L: God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
God is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
P: One thing I asked of God, that I will seek after:
to live in God’s presence all the days of my life,
to behold God’s beauty, and to inquire in God’s temple.
Gospel Reading – Part 2 Matthew 4:18-23
Congregational Response
L: Jesus said, “Follow me;”
P: But we don’t always know what that means.
L: We are on a journey of discovery.
P: We are here because we want to walk in Christ’s Way.
L: We are here because we are broken and want to be whole again.
P: We are here to celebrate the Good News of God’s Love for all
people, & the Call to share God’s Abundant Life with all people.
Special Music with Eva Rogers, soloist "Psalm 23”
composed by Gwyneth Walker
Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Meditation Embracing the Joy of this Journey
The Church Community Responds
Prayers of the People
RESPONSE L: God of Light… P: Hear our prayers.
The Bringing of Pledges, Gifts, and Offerings
Second Mile Gift for January Mountain Access Brigade
Community Announcements & Joys
Closing Prayer
L: O God, of Light & Healing, you call us to be fishers of Truth, fishers of Love, fishers of Justice for all and Peace with all people. Help us to hear your call to each one of us and to all of us today.
P: Give us courage to follow in the way of Jesus, that our lives may bear witness to the Good News of your boundless love at work in the world, and our actions may make known the love of Christ at work in us. Amen.
Closing Hymn* Joyful, Joyful NCH #4
Benediction*
Postlude*
Welcome to all who worship here today!
God in peace to love & serve!