Sunday, July 4, 2015 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

One: We dare to dream. We dare to hope, in a new day – starting today. All: Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presence

of God

One: We have come to celebrate the God of creation, the God of justice, All: and the God of profound inspiration and source of all creativity

and living.

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

OPENING PRAYER

God of summer heat and slow-moving paces, God of storms and promising rainbows, bless us and draw near on this Sunday morning.

Hear our prayers, see our actions, receive our songs of praise, and respond to our need for your ever-present love and grace. Amen.

* HYMN: “God Who Gives to Life its Goodness” - VU #260

YOUTH TIME

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We would sing praises to you, Composer of our lives, but we remember the harsh words we used toward a friend this week. We

would learn Your healing hymns of grace, but the broken chords of our anger and pain echo deep within us. We would dance in the circle

of Your love, but we recall how quickly we turned and ran when offered opportunities to serve your people.

Forgive us, Giver of every blessing. Open our hearts and fill us with Your mercy. Open our ears that we may hear the songs of grace You

would teach us to share with the world. Open our eyes that we may see the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Amen.

* HYMN: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” vs. 1 & 2 - VU #382

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

One: Before the earth was shaped, God created the music of grace which sets our hearts, our souls, our feet dancing with joy in the hope God

has given to us.

All: It is God who has created us; it is God who has redeemed us. Let us embrace God’s gift of grace and forgive ourselves. We are

forgiven. You are forgiven. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR THE GOOD NEWS

SCRIPTURE READING

2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 12b-19

MINISTRY OF MUSIC

MEDITATION

* HYMN: “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet” – VU #245

WE RESPOND TO THE GOOD NEWS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERING

* Offering Hymn: “We Give Thee but Thine Own” (v.1) – VU #543

We give thee but thine own, what e’er the gift may be,

all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O God, from thee.

OFFERTORY PRAYER

As you have blessed us, Dancing God, we have much to give. These

offerings express our gratitude and our willingness to share your love where we live. Amen.

WE GO FORTH INTO THE WORLD

* HYMN: “We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection” – VU #586

COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION

*BLESSING (Iroquois) – VU #964

Go now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you everywhere, everywhere you may go. Amen, Amen, Amen

*CHORAL CLOSING (Matilda)

Go now in peace, never be afraid. God will go with you each hour and every day.

Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true. Know God will guide you in all you do.

Go now in love and show you believe. Reach out to others, so all the world will see.

God will be there, watching from above. Go now in peace, in faith and in love.

Amen, Amen, Amen

POSTLUDE

The Christ candle is extinguished knowing we carry in us the light in the life, work and love of Jesus Christ.