We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.
In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body— a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP From Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
“But my people did not listen to my voice;
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
O that my people would listen to me,
Then I would quickly subdue their enemies,
and turn my hand against their foes.
Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
*HYMN 14 For the Beauty of the Earth [DIX]
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Others, we are amazed by the vast diversity of your Creation—of people with perspectives both like and unlike our own. We admit that it is tempting to exalt our own identities—to assume knowledge is a glass house, a stable palace void of ambiguity and open doors.
Strengthen us, O God, so that we may appreciate difference, welcoming the Stranger, the Other, and recognizing in turn our own Strange Otherness. In the vast glory of your Creation, we are but a portion of a whole greater than the sum of its parts. As we seek to follow the way of Christ, your Beloved, Anointed One, let us embrace those parts. Let us embrace one another.
Amen.
Silent confession.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Kyrie Eleison
A copy of this response can be found on the seat of your pew.
*ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
And since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.
*HYMN 623 I’ve Got Peace like a River
- I’ve got peace like a river; I’ve got peace like a river;
I’ve got peace like a river, in my soul. (repeat) - I’ve got joy like a fountain…
- I’ve got love like an ocean…
SCRIPTURE READING Jeremiah 2:4-13
SCRIPTURE READING 1 John 3:1-3
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us — thanks be to God.
SERMON Dancing with Jesus Sara Staats
*HYMN 822 When We Are Living [SOMOS DEL SENOR]
PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION
O God, in your lovingkindness,
Hear our prayer.
OFFERING
There are three ways to give:
- Through the offering plate.
- Through the “Give-lify” app.
- By clicking the “donate” button on the homepage of our website, woodlandnash.org.
*DOXOLOGY LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(The prayer continues.)
Silent meditation.
We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray, saying:
Our Father-Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive the sins of others; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
*HYMN 157 I Danced in the Morning [LORD OF THE DANCE]
*DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
*Please rise in body or in spirit.
We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:
Sara Staats, Preacher
Jeff Moles, Director of Music Ministries
Greg Gardner, Liturgist
Cliff Mundy and Steve Fay,Offering Takers