Service outline for March 19

ORDER OF WORSHIP
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Prelude, "Saviour, Like A Shepherd Lead Us” (Wm. Bradbury)

Welcome and Announcements,
Acknowledgement of the Land

Gathering Song, "Show Us How To Love"

Hearts open, mind’s awake, save us now for heaven’s sake,
Leave us not alone in hatred’s wake.
Show us how to love, show us how to love,
show us how, show us how to love.

Eyes open, shocked awake, much to learn from our mistakes,
Draw us closer in our heartache.
Show us how to love, show us how to love,
show us how, show us how to love.

Lighting the Candles and Placing the Bible

Opening Hymn, VU #210: “You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd”
1. You, Lord, are both lamb and shepherd.
You, Lord, are both prince and slave.
You, peacemaker and sword-bringer
of the way you took and gave.
You, the everlasting instant;
you, whom we both scorn and crave.

2. Clothed in light upon the mountain,
stripped of might upon the cross,
shining in eternal glory,
beggared by a soldier's toss.
You, the everlasting instant;
you who are both gift and cost.

3. You, who walk each day beside us,
sit in power at God's side.
You, who preach a way that's narrow,
have a love that reaches wide.
You, the everlasting instant;
you, who are our pilgrim guide.

4. Worthy is our earthly Jesus!
Worthy is our cosmic Christ!
Worthy your defeat and victory.
Worthy still your peace and strife.
You, the everlasting instant;
you, who are our death and life.

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 #104: “Know That God Is Good”
1. Mungu ni mwema, (3x)
Ni mwema, ni mwema.

2. Know that God is good (3x)
God is good, God is good.

3. C’est vrai, dieu est bon! (3x)
Dieu est bon! Dieu est bon!

Opening Prayer

Time With All Ages
Story/Song, "Give Me Oil In My Lamp"
   1. Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning;
give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning;
keep me burning till the break of day.

Refrain: Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the Servant King;
sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna, let us sing!

2. Give me joy in my heart; keep me praising;
give me joy in my heart, I pray.
Give me joy in my heart; keep me praising;
keep me praising till the break of day.

3. Give me peace in my heart; keep me loving;
give me peace in my heart, I pray.
Give me peace in my heart; keep me loving;
keep me loving till the break of day.

4. Give me love in my heart; keep me serving;
give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart; keep me serving;
keep me serving till the break of day.

Song of Preparation, MV #81: "Love Us Into Fullness" (vs 1)
       Love us into fullness, touch us with your grace;
Jesus, in your mercy, draw us to your face.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Bridesmaids)
One: Listen to what the Spirit is saying.
All:   Thanks be to God!

Sung Response, MV #81: "Love Us Into Fullness" (vs 2)
       Love us into fullness, us in your care,
cheer us with your presence here and everywhere.

Reflection

Anthem, "He My Shepherd Is" (C. Dyck)

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 Lord's Prayer (Nancy Nelson)

Prayer Response, MV #68: "Kyrie Eleison"
Kyrie eleison (4x)

Responsive Hymn, "Ten Bridesmaids Waited For the Time" (Carolyn Gillette)
1. Ten bridesmaids waited for the time the party would begin,
They took their lamps to meet the groom, for they expected him.
The wise ones went outside to wait, with oil and some to spare,
They found the groom had been delayed while he was traveling there.

2. The foolish bridesmaids waited, too, with lamps that lost their light.
For, unprepared, they'd left their fuel back at the house that night.
The bridegroom came with festive shout; the party soon began.
The fools had lamps that soon went out; the wise had lights at hand.
3. O Lord, remind us that your Day will come with great surprise.
So may we faithfully obey as people who are wise.
For deeds of justice, words of prayer and acts of kindness, too,
Are ways we daily can prepare as we wait here for you.

  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
Shepherding God, we ask for your blessing on these our gifts,
      that they may remind us that you ask us not so much to prepare
      ourselves as to help prepare to help each other.
      May these gifts help build your sacred community where all may enter.
      We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sending Hymn, "Spirit Song" (Chalice Hymnal)
1. O let the Son of God enfold you
   with his Spirit and his love.
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you,
and his Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

2. O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy.
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
O give him all your tears and sadness;
Give him all your years of pain,
And you’ll enter into life in Jesus name.

Sending and Closing Blessing
One: May the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ
and the courage of the Holy Spirit
encourage and strengthen you as you go.
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.