Friday Evening Worship
INVITATION
Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which
you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
We invite all those present to take off your shoes and experience this place
as sacred space
GATHERING SONG: A Circle of Life
One great circle of life, living circle of lovePlants and trees, seas and riversand the blessed sky above.Creatures great, creatures smallform the web that weaves us allIn the circle of life.Words/music by Marty Haugen, CCLI license No. 2486767
SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 8:1-6, 17-36
Prints by Frank Tschakert
WORDS OF CONFESSION
Wisdom teach us stillnessALL: As the grasses are stilled with light
Wisdom, teach us sufferingAs old stones suffer with memory
Wisdom, teach us humilityAs blossoms are humble with beginning
Wisdom, teach us caringAs the mother secures her young
Wisdom, teach us courageAs the tree which stands all alone
Wisdom, teach us limitationAs the ant which crawls on the ground
Wisdom, teach us freedomAs the eagle which soars in the sky
Wisdom, teach us resignationAs the leaves which die in the fall
Wisdom, teach us regenerationAs the seed which rises in the spring
Wisdom, teach us to forget ourselvesAs melted snow forgets its life
Wisdom, teach us to remember kindnessAs dry fields weep with rain.
Amen.
Spirit of the Living GodO Spirit of the living God, thou Light and Fire
DivineDescend upon Thy Church once more and
make it truly ThineFill it with love and joy and power, with
righteousness and peaceTill Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin
and sorrow cease.Words: Henry H. Tweedy, 1933.Music: Forest Green, arranged by Ralph Vaughan Will iams, 1906, CCLI license No. 2486767
Blow, wind of God, with wisdom blow until our minds are free
from mists of error, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to Thee
Burn, winged fire, inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal
To preach to all Thy great good news, God’s glorious commonweal.
So shall we know the power of Christ, who came this world to save
So shall we rise with Him to life which soars beyond the grave
And earth shall win true holiness, which makes Thy children whole
Till, perfected by Thee, we reach creation’s glorious goal.
THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST
John 9:1-6 (NIV)
REFLECTION
“Mom, is the earth alive?” We all need new eyes to see
RESPONSE: CLAY MEDITATION
SONG: TOUCH THE EARTH LIGHTLY
Touch the earth lightly;use the earth gently,nourish the life of the world in our care:gift of great wonder,ours to surrender,trust for the children tomorrow will bear.
Copyright © 1995 by The Pilgrim PressCCLI license No. 2486767
Let there be greening,birth from the burning,Water that blesses and air that is sweet,Health in God’s garden,Hope in God’s children,Regeneration that peace will complete. God of all living,God of all loving,God of the seedling, the snow and the sun,Teach us deflect us,Christ re-connect us,Using us gently, and making us one.
BENEDICTION
Jesus said, “Pray and not give up.”Therefore let us not pray for easy lives;
But pray to be stronger women and men.Let us not pray for tasks equal to our powers.
But for power equal to our tasks.
Then, the doing of our work will be no miracle.We will be the miracle.
And every day we will wonder at the richness of life.And the power of hopethat has come to us by the grace of God.
SENDING SONG: The Peace of the Earth
The peace of the earth be with youThe peace of the heavens tooThe peace of the rivers be with youThe peace of the oceans tooDeep peace falling over youGod’s peace growing in you
Guatamalan folk song, CCLI license No. 2486767
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