Call to Worship

         The way we see our world radically changed this past week. Passenger jets became weapons of terror on a horrifying scale... We gather today, filled with questions for which there are no answers, and with emotions which have no outlet. Brothers and sisters, turn with me now to God, who is 
                  our real security in this world,
                  the only true hope we have in this life,
                  the steadfast peace available in the middle of the storm, and
                  the source and destination of the justice we seek.
         Rise with me in faith and sing our song of praise. "To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
                                                                                           (1 Timothy 1:17)

Opening Prayer

         O God, our refuge and strength, our protector and savior, our beginning and end, in you we place our trust. It is you whom we praise just now. This seems anything but a moment of celebration, though. You, however, lift up our hearts to a joy which is beyond mere happiness, a joy which is like a candle in the night, pushing back the darkness. Help us to rejoice in you - immortal, eternal God, for it is from you that we receive the wisdom we need to face this hour.
         Surround these moments, as you encompass every moment, with the presence of your Holy Spirit. Move in us, as you are moving in hearts, minds, and spirits of people around this nation, as well as around the world. Unite us for justice and righteousness, goodness and mercy. Begin again here and now. We open ourselves to you.
         This we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus - our true Messiah, our real Leader, our dearest friend. Amen.

Children's Time

         "Did anything scare you this week?..... It scared me, too. I could use a hug, how about you? (do so)  Do you think your parents were scared? How about everyone else in this room? I think we could all use a hug. Would you help us to do that? Go and make sure everyone has a hug, would you? Whisper to each other that it's okay. I'll be singing a song that everyone can sing as we hug. When everyone has been hugged, Miss Marian will take you back for choir."
         (Behind these moments is the call of First Lady Laura Bush on the day (9/11/01) when terrorists plowed passenger jets into the World Trade Center in New York, and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.    Parents, she said, should go home and hug their children, and assure them that it's okay.)

"The First Song of Isaiah" (chorus)
Isaiah 12:2
music by Jack Noble White

                C             Em          Am           (G bass)
"Surely it is God who saves me:
        F                                  G
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
         C              Am                       F        C
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
 F        G         C  
and he will be my Savior."

listen to the tune

Pastoral Prayer

         For these moments, we invite worshippers, in they are so willing and able, to follow an old Brethren practice of turning and kneeling - facing their pew. If anything, the events of this week have driven us to our knees before God.  Prayer is as the Spirit leads.

Returning our tithes and offerings

         There were some bright spots amid the darkness of this past week. Firefighters and police disregarded their own safety as they raced to rescue persons in peril. Though many died in the process, such heroism must be remembered. Furthermore, strangers reached out and helped one another, even hugged and cried together in the aftermath. People waited in long lines all across the nation just to give blood. Wise words were spoken by leaders of government in an hour of testing. Prayer erupted around the world - in houses of worship, on the internet, in small groups, in personal moments.
         Even as we are in shock over some of the worst that human beings can do, let’s not forget the best that came out of people in response. May the best come out of us, also. Would you pray with me.
         Lord, your Word calls us to think about, to focus upon, to pattern our lives after "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable," whatever reveals real "excellence" and is truly "worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8) Help us not only to think in this way, but also to act out these words. May our own offerings, what we give just now, as well as our daily offerings to others, reflect the best that you made us to be, and empower us to become through your Spirit. This we pray in the name of the One who gave his life for all. Amen.
         Will the ushers come forward to receive our tithes and offerings.

Benediction

Go now:
         Go in safety,
                  for you cannot go where God is not.
         Go in love,
                  for love alone endures.
         Go with purpose,
                  and God will honor your dedication.
         Go in peace,
                  for it is the gift of God to those
                  whose hearts and minds are in Christ Jesus.
Amen.

[by Earl W. Fike jr.
from For All Who Minister: A Worship Manual for the Church of the Brethren,
©1993, Brethren Press, page 122#A.]