for Sunday, 1 February 2009, #2

Liturgical Elements & Music

I'm going to ask Dorothy Van Buskirk, from Community UCC, & Mary Leopold, from Chalice to share the opening liturgical duties. They'll alternate during the Call to Worship, Mary will start the Prayer of Approach and Dorothy will read the Deuteronomy passage. There will be a "Liturgist's Notebook" for both liturgists which will contain everything that they are doing.

Also, this week is Souper Bowl, in which we take an offering for food for those who are without it. I'm not sure if and where this will fit into the service. There will be two receptacles for the offering--a soup tureen for Chalice (which goes to IHN) & a soup pot for Community UCC (which goes to 2nd Harvest).

Gathering Music (I asked John Chen to lead this time, but haven't heard back from him.)

Call to Worship (Congregation reads the bold parts.)
(Dorothy)
God, who sets us on a journey
to discover, dream and grow,
stir the spirit, stretch our minds,
grant the vision that we lack.
(Mary)
Exploration brings new insights, changes,
choices we must face;
give us wisdom in deciding,
give us courage for the journey,
(Dorothy)
cherish only what's essential,
there can be no turning back.
(Adapt./JDine/ffs)

First Hymn
Be Thou My Vision (Chalice Hymnal, 595)

Prayer of Approach (Mary starts, prayed in unison)
Excite our hearts and minds, Creative Life Source,
to trace new truths,
to catch creation's flair,
and to live within the contexts of compassion and care.
Amen. (Rex A. E. Hunt)

Scripture readings

• Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (Dorothy) (From the New Revised Standard Version)
  
• Psalm 111 (done responsively, Gerry leading)

Time with/for Children (Gerry and the kiddos)

Scripture readings

• 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (from The Message Bible, done by a scripture choir, participants TBD)
• Mark 1:21-28 (Gerry)

Sermon (Gerry)

Hymn
(TBD)

Time of Prayer:

• Invitation to Prayer (Gerry)
  
• Prayer in Music (John Chen)
• Prayers of the People
• Pastoral Prayer (Gerry)
  
• Lord's Prayer (in unison)
  

Time of Offering

• Invitation to Offering (Gerry)
• Offering Song
• Offering Prayer (Gerry)

Communion Hymn
Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether (Chalice Hymnal, 392)

Passing of the Peace (Allen Foster) and
Gathering around the Table (This will need to be spoken instructions before the Passing of the Peace)

Communion

• Invitation
• Prayer
• Words of Institution
• Sharing of the Meal

Benediction (Gerry)

Closing Song (This may be changed to something more familiar this week; perhaps "Blest Be The Tie that Binds")

Announcements

for Sunday, 1 February 2009, #1

4th Sunday after Epiphany

Joint worship with Community UCC!

Lectionary

• Deuteronomy 18:15-20
• Psalm 111
• 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
• Mark 1:21-28

Worship Leaders

• Liturgist: Mary Leopold & Dorothy Van Buskirk
  
• Elder: Allen Foster
• Music Leader & Accompanist: John Chen
• Communion Bread Provider: Myrt Kirby
• Preacher: Gerry Brague

This week we have words about prophets and their prophecies, about controversies over what meat is okay to eat and about Jesus' own words of prophecy. As we journey through this season of Epiphany and the light of the sun grows longer each day, may our understanding also grow.

As always, to the right of this blog are links that you may find helpful as we seek to understand God's Word. More information (music, liturgy, themes, etc.) about this week's service will be posted here in the coming days.

Thanks!