St. Andrew’s United Church

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Emerson

January 18, 2015

Opening our Doors

Prelude Beth JosephsonWelcome & Announcements

- Worship Downstairs: four more Sundays!- Observer Subscriptions: $20.00

* Passing the Peace* Hymn "In Christ There Is No East or West" (Voices United #606 & Screen)

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, but one great family of love throughout the whole wide earth.

In him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Join hands, then, people of the faith, what e’er your race may be; all children of the living God are surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north; all Christ-like souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

* Invitation to WorshipOne: We utter our cry: that peace

may prevail,that earth will survive, and faith

will not fail.ALL: We pray with our life, for

the world in our care,for all people diminished by

doubt and despair.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

One: We cry from the fright of our daily scene,

for strength to say "No" to all that is mean:

ALL: designs bearing chaos, extinction of life,

all energy wasted on weapons of death.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

One: We lift up our hearts, for all children born;

give wisdom, O God, that we may hand on,

ALL: replenished and tended, this good planet Earth,

preserving the future and wonder of birth.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

One: Creator of life, come, breathe out, we pray,

your Spirit on earth, revealing the Way

ALL: to leaders conferring 'round tables for peace,

that they may, from bias and guile, be released.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

One: Come with us Lord; love, in protest and march,

and help us to fire, with passion, your church,

ALL: to match all our statements and lofty resolve,

to be, without resting, in action involved.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

One: Whatever the ill or pressure we face,

Lord, hearten and heal, give insight and grace,

ALL: to make and share peace with each heartbeat and breath,

and choose others, not self, and life before death! AMEN.

- Fred Kaan (1983)

Opening our Hearts

Prayers for Peace & Candle LightingSilent Prayer & Lord's Prayer

(Voices United #959)Presentation of Tithes & OfferingsOffertory Beth

Josephson* Song“God of Love” Screen

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

God of Love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you. May our lives, do your will; guide and guard us forever.

Give us courage to stand for truth; help us care for others. God of Love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you.

* Prayer of Dedication* Hymn “What a Friend…” Voices United #664 & Screen

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in payer.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Christ the Saviour is our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do our friends despise, forsake us? Are we tempted to despair? Jesus’ strength will shield our weakness, and we’ll find new courage there.

Opening our Minds

Children's Message Rev. James

Ancient Wisdom: Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18

Song "Each Blade of Grass" More Voices #37 & ScreenContemporary Wisdom: Oprah WinfreyMessage Rev.

James

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Each blade of grass, ev’ry wing that soars, the waves that sweep across the distant shore, make full the circle of God.

Each laughing child, ev’ry gentle eye, a forest lit beneath a moon-bright sky, make full the circle of God.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Each silent paw, ev’ry rounded stone, the buzz that echoes from a honey’d comb, make full the circle of God.

Each fire-brimmed star, ev’ry outstretched hand, the wind that leaps and sails across the land, make full the circle of God.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Each icy peak, ev’ry patterned shell, the joyous chorus that the dawn foretells, make full the circle of God.

Each cosmic hue, ev’ry creature’s way, all form the beauty of this vast array, making full the circle of God.

Opening our Minds

Children's Message Rev. James

Ancient Wisdom: Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18

Song "Each Blade of Grass" More Voices #37 & ScreenContemporary Wisdom: Oprah WinfreyMessage Rev.

James

The history of faith: it may not be important to us, but we should study it because it is important to others and it will help us to understand what is important to them.

The history of our lives: it may not be important to others, but we should study it because it is important to us and it will help us to understand what is important to us.

Opening our Lives

* Congregational Prayer One: Let there be light, let there be

understanding,ALL: let all the nations gather, let

them be face to face.One: Perish the sword, perish the angry

judgment,

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

ALL: perish the bombs and hunger, perish the fight for gain.

One: Your kingdom come, your Spirit turn to language,

ALL: your people speak together, your Spirit never fade.

One: Let there be light, open our hearts to wonder,

ALL: perish the way of terror, hallow the world God made.

- Frances W. Davis

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

* Hymn “Draw the Circle Wide” (More Voices #145 & Screen)Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider

still. Let this be our song, no one stand alone, standing side-by-side, draw the circle wide.

God the still-point of the circle, ‘round whom all creation turns; nothing lost, but held forever, in God’s gracious arms.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stand alone, standing side-by-side, draw the circle wide.

Let our hearts touch far horizons, so encompass great and small; let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stand alone, standing side-by-side, draw the circle wide.

Let the dreams we dream be larger, than we’ve ever dreamed before; let the dream of Christ be in us, open every door.

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stand alone, standing side-by-side, draw the circle wide.

* Benediction

“The only

way to have a

friend is to be one.”

- Emerson

* Song "Love Us into Fullness"Love us into fullness, touch us with

your grace; Jesus, in your mercy, draw us to your face.

Love us into fullness, hold us in your care, cheer us with your presence, here and everywhere.

Love us into fullness, and we will be strong; Jesus, walk beside us, full our hearts with song.

* Postlude Beth Josephson

GREAT WEEK!

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Emerson

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