Service outline for January 29

ORDER OF WORSHIP
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Prelude

Welcome and Announcements,
Acknowledgement of the Land

Gathering Song, "Bathe Me In Your Light" (vs 3)

Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.

Lighting the Candles and Placing the Bible

Opening Hymn, VU #87: "I Am the Light of the World"
Refrain: 'I am the light of the world!
You people come and follow me!'
If you follow and love
you'll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.

1. When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,
the work of Christmas is begun: Refrain.

   2. To find the lost and lonely one,
to heal the broken soul with love,
to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
to feel the earth below, the sky above! Refrain.

3. To free the prisoner from all chains,
to make the powerful care,
to rebuild the nations with strength of good will,
to see God's children everywhere! Refrain.

   4. To bring hope to every task you do,
to dance at a baby's new birth,
to make music in an old person's heart,
and sing to the colours of the earth! Refrain.

The Passing of the Peace
One: The Peace of Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you!

MV #173: "Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands"

Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.

Words of Assurance

Sung Response, MV #59: “Alleluia, Praise to God”
1. Alleluia, praise to God.
Alleluia, praise to God.
Praises, high praises,
we bring you, O God.
Alleluia, praise to God

2. Songs of joy sing out to God.
Songs of joy sing out to God.
Dancing and singing,
we praise you, O God.
Songs of joy sing out to God.

3. Beat the drums, sing out to God.
Beat the drums, sing out to God.
Praises, high praises,
we bring you, O God.
Beat the drums, sing out to God.

Opening Prayer

Time With All Ages, Story/Song: "I Can Pray" (M. Burrows)
1. With my eyes opened wide, with a buddy by my side,
   I can pray, pray, pray.
   With my eyes shut tight in the middle of the night,
   I can pray, pray, pray.
   I can pray. I can pray. I can pray. I can pray.
   I can offer my prayer to the one who’s always there.
   I can pray, pray, pray.

2. With a word, with a song, when I’m learning right from wrong,
   I can pray, pray, pray.
   With my heart, with my hands, for all those diff’rent lands,
   I can pray, pray, pray.
   I can pray. I can pray. I can pray. I can pray.
   With a breath, with a shout, God can help me sort it out.
   I can pray, pray, pray.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:7-21 (How to pray)
One: Listen to what the Spirit is saying.
All:   Thanks be to God!

Reflection

Anthem, "The Prayer" (Sager/Foster)

Centering Song: "In the Sound and in the Silence" (Nancy Nelson)

In the sound and in the silence,
may Holy Wisdom draw near.
Let us feel the power of hearts and minds
that are joined in Thanksgiving
and praising and longing
and hoping for Love to appear.

Prayers of the Community and the prayer Jesus gave us (sung VU #959)

Responsive Hymn, "When You Are Praying" (C.W. Gillette)
    1. "When you are praying," Jesus said,
"Don't put on vain displays —
   But close your door and speak your heart,
And humbly offer praise."

2. Our Father in the heavenly realm,
Our Abba, ever near —
Your name is holy, set apart;
O bring your kingdom here!

    3. God, give us all we daily need
   And we will be content;
Forgive our sins as we forgive
The wrongs that we resent.

4. God, give us grace to follow you;
Protect us on your Way.
When evil tempts us from your path,
Deliver us, we pray.

5. O Lord, we turn in trust to you;
   You know the things we need —
   And like a parent, you so love:
   The ones who ask, receive.

Invitation to the Offering,
   Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit One.

We Bless our Offerings
Generous God, may these gifts we offer today be our honest
response to Jesus’s dream of your kin-dom on earth as it is in
heaven. May it be enough, even though we think it cannot be.
         May we be enough, even though we think we cannot be.
         In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sending Hymn, MV #126: "Are You A Shepherd?"

  1. Are you a shepherd, good shepherd who leads us
safely through danger, while calming our fears?
Are you a father who shelters and feeds us,
shares in our laughter and wipes away tears?

Refrain: Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher,
    but you are greater than all that we know.
   Holy and living, loving and giving,
God, you are with us wherever we go.

   2. Are you a mother, good mother who bears us,
comforts, protects us and helps us to rest?
Are you a teacher who daily prepares us,
challenging students to offer their best? Refrain.

   3. Great, gentle shepherd, forever beside us,
   lead all you children in paths that are right.
   Great, loving parent, wise teacher, you guide us.
   We want to love you and bring you delight. Refrain.

Sending and Closing Blessing

One: Go with the love of God the Creator,
the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the friendship of the Holy Spirit
- today and always.
All: Amen!

Choral Blessing
The peace of the earth be with you,
The peace of the heavens too;
The peace of the rivers be with you,
The peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace falling over you,
God’s peace growing in you.