Worship - November 4, 2012

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
November 4, 2012
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:10am

National Junior High Sunday

“And over all these virtues
put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
(Colossians 3:14, NIV)

Beginning with Praise (9:50 am) "Day by day" (insert/overhead)
Announcements
Prelude

Greeting "To the saints" (insert/overhead)

Call to Worship

*Song "Here I am to worship" (insert/overhead)

*Opening Prayer

Scripture Jam Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:28-31

Song "Thy Word" (insert/overhead)

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
(please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

Hymn (vs. 1-3, 6) "Bless'd be the tie that binds" 421

Prayer

Scripture 1 Corinthians 13

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Song "Day by day" (insert/overhead)
(Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

Scripture Jam Colossians 3:12-15

Message "Put on Love" (mp3)

*Song "Bound together" (insert/overhead)

*Closing Litany

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Note: A nice bedsheet (double or queen size, choose an appropriate color, or pick a solid color tablecloth - fold in half) is draped in an inconspicuous place up front, ready for use. On one side are pinned construction paper hearts, 3 to 4 inches in size in various colors, enough for every person who might attend worship. On each of these hearts is written one of the following words “Compassion,” or “Kindness,” or “Humility,” or “Gentleness,” or “Patience” or "Forgiveness"… In the back of the sanctuary is a large wooden cross with it’s removable base, which will be brought forward and set up during a song.

Call to Worship

One: God, it is awesome that you choose us!

All: We worship you!

One: God, you are the one who has designed and created all things.

All: We worship you!

One: God, you have forgiven us!

All: We worship you!

One: God, you clothe us in your love.

All: We worship you!

by Jon Keller

Note: As "Here I am to worship" is sung, 2 youth process with the cross and its base to set it up in the front of the sanctuary.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, your chosen ones, holy and beloved, have gathered to worship you. Remind us in this hour of worship of the great responsibility we have as your chosen ones; the responsibility to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…the responsibility, to clothe ourselves in love. God, in this time of worship, cover us with your forgiveness; clothe us with your love. Amen.

by Jon Keller

Scripture Jam
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Mark 12:28-31

1 - Listen up, Israel.

2 - Open your ears.

3 - Pay attention!

1 - The Lord

2 - is our God,

3 - the Lord alone.

1 - You shall love

2 - Love! Do you hear what we’re saying?

3 - Love the Lord your God

1 - with all your heart,

2 - and with all your soul,

3 - and with all your might.

1 - That’s what it says in the Law of Moses.

2 – Someone once asked Jesus,

3 - “Which commandment is the first of all?”

1 - Jesus answered,

2 - “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel:

3 - the Lord our God, the Lord is one;

1 - you shall love the Lord your God

2 - with all your heart,

3 - and with all your soul,

1 - and with all your mind,

2 - and with all your strength.’”

3 - and then Jesus added a second commandment:

1 - “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

2 - There is no other commandment greater than these.”

3 - Are you listening?

Prayer

God, every day we have to make choices. Some choices are easy and some are very hard! Our hearts are torn between hope and fear, trust and doubt, love and jealousy. But you have provided us with a beautiful gift; the gift of Love. Remind us to clothe ourselves in love every day, so that our hearts are full and open to Christ’s peace, which rules in the favor of the greater good. Today, with every choice we make, with everyone we meet, let our first and our last thought be love.

by Dawna Welch

Scripture
1 Corinthians 13

Note: The youth silently go out into the congregation to “choose” and lead forward an adult to read the scripture from the Lectern. This person has already agreed to this ahead of time. Before this adult reads, however, the youth drape the sheet/poncho over this person. They then stand behind the reader as s/he reads -

1 Corinthians 13

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Let us return our Tithes and Offerings to God.

Note: as “Day by Day” is sung (and ushers collect the offering), the youth take the sheet off the adult reader, who then returns to his/her seat, and drape it over the front of the cross, with the hearts facing the congregation. Use thumbtacks to secure it from behind.

Scripture Jam
Colossians 3:12-15

1 - Therefore...

2 - Consequently

3 - As a result

4 - Hence

1 - As God’s chosen people...

2 - Selected

3 - Preferred

4 - Special

1 - Holy and dearly loved...

2 - Treasured

3 - Appreciated

4 - Prized

2 - Cherished

1 - Clothe yourselves with...

3 - Compassion...

4 - Kindness...

2 - Humility...

3 - Gentleness...

4 - Patience...

1 - Bear with each other...

2 - Grrr! (as in the sound of a bear)

1 - Bear with each other…

3 - Together

1 - And forgive one another...

4 - I’m sorry

2 - I apologize

3 - Please forgive me

4 - I forgive you

1 - If any of you has a grievance against someone...

2 - Hey!

3 - Stop it!

4 - Knock it off!

2 - Hello?!

1 - Forgive as the Lord forgave you...

3 - The Lord forgave you for everything,

4 - The least you could do is the same.

2 - Forgive each other.

3 - As Jesus did

1 - And over all these virtues...

4 - Above all else

2 - More important than anything

3 - Don’t forget!

1 - Put on love...

2 - Amour (pronounced “a-more” in French)

3 - Liebe (pronounced “lee-bah” in German)

4 - Agapé (pronounced “ah-gah-pey” in Greek)

1 - Which binds them all together...

2 - The binding agent.

3 - The glue

4 - Makes it stick

2 - Holds it together

1 - In perfect unity...

2 - Let the peace of Christ...

3 - Rule in your hearts...

4 - Peace of Christ RULES!

2 - Be in charge

3 - Be king of your heart

4 - Love and only love

2 - Peace and only peace

3 - Christ’s peace

1 - Since as members of one body...

4 - Council

2 - Committee

3 - All one

4 - Many parts but one body

1 - You were called to peace...

2 - Hello!

3 - Hey!

4 - Over here!

2 - Come hither!

1 - And be thankful...

3 - Merci (pronounced “mare-see” in French)

4 - Danke schön (pronounced “dan-kah shun” in German)

2 - Gracias (pronounced “grah-see-ahs” in Spanish)

3 - Thank you

4 - Amen.

by Rachel Witkovsky (adapted)
Based on Colossians 3:12 – 15 (NIV)

Note: At the end of the message, the congregation will be invited to come forward as they sing the final song and take a heart off of the sheet draped on the cross and pin it to their own shirt/blouse/dress, symbolizing their desire and commitment to “put on love.” It is "Love" which hold together our “Compassion,” or “Kindness,” or “Humility,” or “Gentleness,” or “Patience” or "Forgiveness" (On each heart is written one of these words).

Closing Litany

One: We are chosen by God to dress with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

All: God has provided us a garment rich and fine!

One: We are chosen, holy and dearly loved.

All: God loves us whatever happens. No matter what!

One: We are chosen to bear each other’s burdens and forgive one another.

All: God weaves us together in perfect love!

One: We are chosen to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

All: God has given us a gift and we are THANKFUL!

One: We are chosen and perfectly clothed to show the world our love.

All: God has given us a gift and we are THANKFUL!

by Dawna Welch