World Community
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CALL TO WORSHIP
—based on Psalm 103:1-2, 19-22
Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless God’s holy name!
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all God’s benefits:
Leader: The Lord has established a throne in heaven, And God’s kingdom rules over all.
People: Bless the Lord, you angels, who excel in strength, who do God’s word, heeding the voice of God’s word.
Leader: Bless the Lord, all you hosts, you ministers of God, who do God’s pleasure.
People: Bless the Lord, all God’s works, in all places of God’s dominion.
All: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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INVOCATION
O God, our helper, our strength and our redeemer, we, your people, are gathered to worship you in spirit and in truth. You created all of us, yet we are different. We were all created in your image, yet we are different. Thank you for our differences. Thank you for bringing us together despite our differences. Thank you for allowing us to give praise and honor to you in our differences. Bless our worship time together and allow this time to be the beginning of many more worship experiences together. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)
- On Our Journey, words by Lois LaFon, CWU Member
Tune: O God Our Help in Ages Past (St. Anne)
Be with us on our journey, Lord,
Wherever we may go.
We trust that you both steer and lead
That’s all we need to know.
For those whose loved ones need their care,
We pray for strength and rest.
Guide those who would support them, Lord,
To know what help is best.
To see your world at war, Dear Lord,
Your heart must nearly break.
In all our daily journeys help
Us make peace for your sake.
Our language may be different, Lord.
We may not look the same.
But as we share a common faith,
We journey in your name.
- Trust and Obey, Words by John H. Summis
Music by Daniel B. Towner
- Here I Am, Lord, Words and Music by Daniel L. Schutte
- Christ Our Companion, Words by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Tune: Be Thou My Vision
Christ, you companion us, walking his road,
Hearing our stories and sharing our load.
Though we don’t see you or know you are here,
Still our hearts burn for they sense you are near.
Unseen companion, you tend to our fears,
Bend to our grief with compassionate ears.
Walking beside us you help us to live,
Bearing the peace and the healing you give.
Through darkest valleys you shepherd your sheep,
Giving us courage when pathways are steep.
Christ, whom we follow and trust and adore,
You lead us always where you’ve been before.
Christ, you who feed us your life as our bread,
Love that is food for the journey ahead,
Send us in joy to embody your grace.
Walking with you, Lord, in each time and place.
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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CALL TO CONFESSION
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Leader: Lord, we are human, and act in our own different ways.
People: Lord, we confess our humanity.
Leader: We go our selfish ways; we are a “me first” society.
People: Lord, we confess our selfishness.
Leader: We are prideful and seek to win at all cost.
People: Lord, we confess our prideful ways
Leader: Accept our bowed heads, our bended knees and our contrite hearts.
People: Lord, accept us as we are and make us like you.
All: Lord, accept us as we are and make us like you, Amen.
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
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CHILDREN’S SERMON
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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
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SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS
- Isaiah 2:1-4
- Acts 2:42-47
- Psalm 139:1-3
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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LITANY
—based on Ephesians 2:17-22
Right: He came and preached peace to you who were far away
and peace to those who were near.
Left: For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Right: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers.
Left: But fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of God’s household
Right: Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
Left: With Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Right: In him the whole building is joined together
and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
All: And in Christ you, too, are being built together
to become a dwelling in which God lives by God’s Spirit.
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
World Community Day offering supports the Church Women United National Movement. Please help CWU to continue making a difference in this world.
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord of the whole world, of all peoples and nations, of all languages and cultures, of all ages, young and old, take this mite that we give to you of your abundance and teach us to use it to the world’s good. Amen.
—Lita Claytor Swindle
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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
We have come together as women and men of God. We have worshipped as brothers and sisters in God’s name. Now we leave to go into the world. Let us fulfill the vision that has been ours in this hour.
—based on Jude 1:24-25 (The Message)
And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.
—Lita Claytor Swindle
