Worship - August 15, 2010

Call to Worship

We use all kinds of things to find our self-worth. What we say is not always what we mean and we spend time trying out various identities in an attempt to discover who we are. Why am I always lonely? When will I finally be someone? Who am I�.no really� who am I?

Deep inside us all there is a place of faith, a place of trust and hope and love that can be covered by fear, pride, shame, and hate - things that don�t allow our true identity to be revealed.

With innocence of heart, unlimited hope, and with trust and faith that makes us vulnerable enough to open us to discover our authentic self, let us gather to worship.

from the Sunday morning worship
(excerpted from Touch Holiness, Ruth Duck, ed., Pilgrim Press)

Opening Prayer

God, you know me better than I know myself. Wherever I go, you are right there. If I walk one way, you walk with me; and wherever I have been, you know it well. While I am trying to figure out what I am going to say, you already know what it is. You place your hand on me, and I feel loved. It is too much to take in.

Is there no way to hide from you? Is there any place where I can escape? I go high � you are there. I go down low � you are there.

If I could fly, you would be nearby; If I were to swim miles and miles, you would take hold of me and set me in the right direction.

You have made every part of me; you were there creating me in my mother�s womb before I was born. All this is much more than I can fathom! You watched every step of how I was formed; you saw my body grow, all according to your plan. You knew the direction of my life, even before my life began. Your mind is so deep-beyond my understanding!

Find me, study me, and look deeply into my thoughts. Lead me, God. Lead me. Amen

from the Sunday morning worship
from: Prayers Before an Awesome God: The Psalms for Teenagers
by David Haas, St. Mary�s Press, Christian Brothers Publications, Winona, Minnesota, 2006

Called or Not Called

Called or not called, God is there. (repeat 2 more times)
The hand of the Maker is everywhere.

Named or unnamed, God is there. (repeat 2 more times)
The hand of the Maker is everywhere.

Known or unknown, God is there. (repeat 2 more times)
The hand of the Maker is everywhere.

Seen or unseen, God is there. (repeat 2 more times)
The hand of the Maker is everywhere.

text and music by Shawn Kirchner

Responsive Scripture Reading
Ephesians 4:1-7

Reader One: I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Reader Two: There is one body.

People: There is one body.

Reader One: And one Spirit.

People: And one Spirit.

Reader Two: Just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.

Reader One: One Lord,

People: One Lord,

Reader Two: One faith,

People: One faith,

Reader One: One baptism,

People: One baptism,

Reader Two: One God and Father of all,

People: One God and Father of all,

Reader One: Who is above all,

People: Who is above all,

Reader Two: And through all,

People: And through all,

Reader One: And in all.

People: And in all.

Reader Two: But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ�s gift.

from Sunday Evening Worship

We are One Body

Chorus: We are one body, one body in Christ,
and we do not stand alone.

We are one body, one body in Christ,
and he came that we might have life.

1.         I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.
            I am the final sacrifice.
            I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.
            I come to you that you might have life.

(repeat then chorus)

2. On the rock of Peter, see my church I build.
Come, receive my Spirit, with my gifts be filled.

For you are my body, you�re my hands and feet.
Speak my word of life to ev�ryone you meet.

(repeat then chorus)

3. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bend.
Jesus is the Lord and he will come again.

To the work of Jesus ev�ry hand will tend.
We will serve the world until he comes again.

(repeat then chorus)

written by R. Scallon
�1993 D.S. Music LLC.
(adapted - listen to original version)

Blessing/Offering

You are the transformers of tomorrow.
Risk letting your God-given light shine
                  in an often dim world,
         and take comfort in knowing
         that you stand in long tradition
                  of risk-taking transformers,
                           who call Jesus their model.
                                    Amen.

Now is the time for us to take up today�s offering.

from Wednesday Morning Worship
prayer written by Katie Shaw Thompson

Siya Hamba
(listen to a version of this song)

1.         Si-ya hamb� eh ku-kan ye-ni kwen kwos
            Si-ya hamb� eh ku-kan ye-ni kwen kwos     (repeat)
            Si-ya ham ba, ham ba, Si-ya ham ba, ham ba,
            Si-ya hamb� eh ku-kan ye-ni kwen kwos     (repeat)

2.         We are marching in the light of God,
            We are marching in the light of God,    (repeat)
            We are marching, marching,
            We are marching, marching,
            We are marching in the light of God.    (repeat)

                        (Sing 1^st verse again � �Siya Hamba�, then:)

3.         Ca-mi-na-mos en la luz de Di-os
          Ca-mi-na-mos en la luz de Di-os   (repeat)
            Ca-mi-na-mos, na-mos, Ca-mi-na-mos, na-mos,
            Ca-mi-na-mos en la luz de Di-os   (repeat)

                     (Sing 1^st verse again � �Siya Hamba� & end)

by Anders Nyberg & Andrew Maries
�1987, 1991 Sovereign Music UK / Iona Community

More than Meets the Eye

1.         He came from a town that people looked down on
            A carpenter�s son, �just anyone,�
            No special grace in his face that they could see.
            But wherever he�d go, the blessings flowed,
            when he stretched his hand, the healing rivers ran,
            when he opened his mouth
            the truth poured out to set them free.

Pre-chorus:     Who was the Man of Galilee?
                        He was more than meets the eye,
                        And when his dream lives in me, so am I.

2          It�s not about your looks, or if you�re good with books,
            It�s not about your claim in any �name game�
            It�s not about your rank, what you have in the bank,
                        Or what your money can buy;
            It�s the way you live, and the joy you give,
            It�s who you are when the cameras far (away),
            It�s the spark you show in the dark
                        when hope has died

Pre-chorus:     Who was the Man of Galilee?
                        He was more than meets the eye,
                        And when his light shines in me, so am I.

Chorus: More than meets the eye, (more than meets the eye)
More than meets the eye, (more than meets the eye)

�Follow if you dare, catch me if you can,
suddenly you�ll look, I won�t be there,
just when you think you�ve figured out who I am.�
Far away from home, many miles you roam,
suddenly you�ll look, and I�ll be there just
when you need me holding out my hand�. Oh�..

Bridge:
He was a teacher, a preacher, a lost soul reacher,
a healer, a feeler, a truth revealer,
a mender, a tender, a foe befriender,
a peacemaker, rule breaker, planet shaker,
a friend to the lowliest, a threat to the holiest,
a burning itch in the conscience of the rich,
the sign of the rainbow, the gift of the dove,
he turned the love of Law into the Law of Love.

Pre-chorus:     Who was the Man of Galilee?
                        He was more than meets the eye,
                        I hear his voice say, �Follow me:� Here am I.

Chorus: More than meets the eye, (more than meets the eye)
More than meets the eye, (more than meets the eye)

text and music by Shawn Kirchner
Theme song National Youth Conference 2010
read his introduction to the song

Benediction

God�s grace and forgiveness have the power to transform our lives �breaking down the barriers and walls that hide or hinder the Christ light within us.

As we are welcomed with open arms to the feast that God has prepared in our honor, may God�s transforming grace manifest itself within us that we are able to go and do likewise � inviting others to share in God�s great welcome home feast. Amen

from Tuesday Morning worship

Resources from NYC 2010