Prelude: Carol Lancaster

“I Woke Up This Morning”

New Century Hymnal

#85

Rev. Stacy L. Thomas

Allow the Sounds of nature from our

Rain Stick to calm and center you.

Focus on the Presence of God

in this place

Led by Colleen Briner-Schmidt, Liturgist

Leader: God, you taught the Black peoples, your people, to sing with their souls while

in a foreign land.

People: Through music, you taught Black peoples to persevere and to trust in

you, even as their hearts and

bodies were broken.

Leader: Your power, God, moved through your people, as the rhythm and cadence of

music moves through our bodies.

People: There would be no Underground Railroad or Civil Rights

Movement without a song,

And there would be no song without you.

Let everything that has breath, praise you!

(from “A History in Song” by Alydia Smith for Black History Month, The United Church of Canada)

Leader: Beautiful are the works of God!

People: Beautiful also are the skins of God’s people!

Leader: Beautiful is the mind of God!

People: Beautiful also are the hopes of God’s people!

Leader: Beautiful is the heart of God!

People: Beautiful also are the souls of God’s people!

Leader: God made the heavens and the earth!

People: To God be the glory for the things God has done!

(from New Century Hymnal Opening Words, #824; adapted, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago)

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, In my soul.

I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, In my

soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, In my

soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

Liturgist: The peace of God be with you all.

People: And also with you.

The Spirit in me

greets the Spirit

in you,

Alleluia.

God is in us

and we are in God,

Alleluia.

Following the Children’s Message, all sing through

Children and youth are dismissed to their classes

“Every Time I Feel the Spirit”

New Century Hymnal

#282

Lighting of Prayer Candles

Instrumental Music

Carol Lancaster

Moments of Gratitude

Congregational Response:

Thank you, God!

Moments of Concern & Need

Congregational Response:

God, hear our prayer.

Eternal Spirit, Father and Mother of us all,

Holy is your name.

Let justice and mercy fill all of Creation,

and let us recognize that everything belongs to you.

Feed us with the bread and the hope

that we need for today.

Help us to accept forgiveness, as we extend forgiveness to others.

Stand with us in trials and

temptations. Help us to resist evil and to do good.

For yours is the realm, and the

power, and the glory, now and forever.

Amen.

“When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land”

(“Go Down, Moses”)

New Century Hymnal

#572

“Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and

Burning”

New Century Hymnal #369

“It’s the Old Ship of Zion”

New Century Hymnal

#310

“Wade in the Water”

Burgundy Song Book #117

Wade in the water ,God's gonna trouble

the water. Who are those children all dressed in Red?

God's gonna trouble the water. Must be the children that Moses led.

God's gonna trouble the water.

Chorus: Wade in the water, wade in the water Children

Who are those children all dressed in White? God's gonna trouble the water.

Must be the ones of the Israelites. God's gonna trouble the water.

Chorus: Wade in the water, wade in the water Children

Who are those children all dressed in Blue? God's gonna trouble the water.

Must be the ones that made it through. God's gonna trouble the water.

Chorus: Wade in the water, wade in the water Children

Rev. Stacy L. Thomas

February

People Pillowcases

Joan Thompson

Merciful and loving God, you give us guidance and grace to choose the ways of life that bring us

blessing and peace.

Help us to be more loving in our hearts.

Help us to be more holy in our hearts.

Help us to be more like Jesus in our hearts.

May we give abundantly today,

as you, God, have given so abundantly to us.

(adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 - Advent through Pentecost, ed. by Kimberly Bracken Long; and “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian,” New Century Hymnal #454)

Led by Colleen Briner-Schmidt , Liturgist

Musical Offertory by Carol Lancaster

Into your hands, faithful God,

we commit our lives and these gifts.

Increase them and

transform them

into abundant goodness,

that they might proclaim your presence in the world.

Amen.

(adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 – Advent through Pentecost by Kimberly Bracken Long)

“Steal Away,”

New Century Hymnal

#599

Rev. Stacy L. Thomas

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine,

Oh, let it shine.

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine,

Oh, let it shine.