Worship - June 11, 2006

We begin our worship on this day with a Psalm attributed to King David. The version of the Bible from which I will read may sound a bit strange at points, for it comes from the land "down under." Some of the landmarks and creatures mentioned are peculiar to Australia, a country some of our youth have dreamed of visiting. Allow the words, which originally flowed out of yet another foreign country and language, and a time very different from our own, draw you to our God who is greater than political and cultural and all other human-made boundaries. Listen and worship.

LORD God, like your angels in heaven
........we speak of you in glowing terms,
........for your glory and strength deserve rave reviews.
We give you a huge wrap, LORD;
........we put up you name in lights
........and hold a huge ticker tape parade
........but it still falls short of the worship you deserve.

Your voice, LORD, rings out like thunder;
........resounding over the waters,
........drowning out even the waves of the sea.
Your voice echoes with power;
........it would bring anyone to their knees.

Your voice, LORD, shatters the Ironbark tree,
........and splinters the Mountain Ash like match sticks.
Your presence makes Mount Bogong jump like a calf;
........Uluru like a rock wallaby.

Your voice, LORD, strikes fire from stone.
The sound of your voice convulses the wilderness;
........the Simpson Desert shudders in labour.

Your voice, LORD, is like a cyclone,
........howling through a rainforest,
........stripping the leaves from the trees.

We all gather to worship and cheer with all our might;
........for you rule forever, LORD,
........and neither surging flood
........nor tidal wave can undermine you.
Give strength to your people, LORD!
........Bless your people with peace!

�2000 Nathan Nettleton www.laughingbird.net

Opening Prayer

Skit & Song for Children

Led by our advocate for this year's special offering project for Heifer International, the rest of the children will go in search of one of their number who will be hiding somewhere in the congregation. Along the way, we'll all sing "The Little Lost Sheep" (below).

(tune "The wheels on the bus")

The little lost sheep cries, "baa, baa, baa." (3x)..
The little lost sheep cries, "baa, baa, baa," all thru the night

The shepherd in the field shouts, "where are you?" (3x)
The shepherd in the field shouts, "where are you?" all thru the night

(repeat first verse)

The shepherd in the field shouts, "There you are!" (3x)
The shepherd in the field shouts, "There you are!" all thru the night.

Heifer Project Wrap-up

The advocate from our Witness Commission will them bring our month-long focus to a close by inviting people to give to Heifer International.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         According to the children�s book, Faith the Cow, the story of Heifer International began when an Ohio farmer responded to God�s call by saying, "Have faith, Dan West." When he told the founder of Heifer Project this, Virgil Mock meant, "Have my cow named �Faith.�" But behind that gift was faith in God, as well as "Hope" (the name of the second heifer) and "Charity" (the name of the third). May faith, hope, and charity be behind every gift we share!
         Will the ushers please come forward to receive what we have to share. And as the plates are passed, would you also fill in and pass the attendance booklets found at the center aisle of each pew. Thank you.

Graduate Recognition

A time to celebrate a significant milestone for persons in our congregation. Each will be given an opportunity to share where their life's path is leading at the moment.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Benediction