Worship Sunday May 19, 2013

Scripture Readings: Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:14-17

Sermon: Wind and Rainbow Connection

Morning Prayer: God who stretched the spangled heavens, stretch our imaginations to see a world that is more loving, more caring, more connected.  Stretch our minds so that we can think more creatively about how we get from here to there.  Stretch our arms that we might embrace this beautiful difficult world with your compassion.  Stretch our eyesight, so we may see every other as sister and brother and a reflection of you in Christ.  Amen.

Songs: Spirit Song; Gather Us In; In the Midst of New Dimensions; The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve

Musicians: Tapestry (band); Sanctuary Choir; Children’s Choir; Velda Graham Bell, organ

Potluck meal and celebration following worship.  Please join us.

Roadside Clean-up Postponed

This morning’s roadside clean-up has been postponed to Saturday May 25 due to the rainy weather.

Ruby’s Pantry Thursday

Ruby’s Pantry food distribution is happening this Thursday May 16.  Food shares are available as always.  Volunteers are needed and appreciated.

Worship Sunday May 12, 2013

Celebrate Mother’s Day, Confirmation and a Baptism with us

Scripture Reading: John 17:20-26

Sermon: The In Crowd

Morning Prayer: Gracious God, Loving Presence and Moving Spirit, faith is not a single moment of decision, no matter how public.  It is not signing on a dotted line.  Faith is a life-long journey of living with hope and resisting despair, of living with love and resisting prejudice and hate, of working for peace and justice and standing up against evil and oppression, of praying even when it is difficult.  Faith is a journey best taken with others.  We are grateful today for where the journey of faith has brought Luke, Hans, Jimmy, Jon, Parker, Jake, and Courtney, and grateful for their work together as a class.  May they continue to follow your Spirit.  Bless them as they walk with us in the journey of faith, hope, and love.  In Christ.  Amen.

Songs: I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry; The Servant Song; Bind Us Together

Musicians: Ringtones Bell Choir; Class Ring Bell Choir; Sanctuary Choir; Tapestry (band); Velda Graham Bell, organist

Jumpstart Worship: Faith Formation for children, 9:30

Worship Sunday April 28, 2013

Scripture Readings: Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

Sermon: A Beautiful World?

Morning Prayer: O God, creative and centering presence, the world we live in is a paradox, a mystery, a conundrum.  We see beauty that takes our breath away.  We witness tenderness and kindness that brings a tear to the eye.  We are aware of neglect, cruelty, and hurtfulness that cause us to cry other kinds of tears.  Where are you in the midst of all this?  What are you up to?  We trust you are present, always working toward beauty, harmony, peace, justice, and love.  Attune us more deeply to your Spirit.  Orient us more profoundly toward your dream for the world.  In Christ. Amen.

Songs: This is a Day of New Beginnings; In Christ There is No East or West; They’ll Know We are Christians

Musicians: Cast in Bronze (bell ensemble); Tapestry (band); Sanctuary Choir; Velda Graham Bell, organ

Discovery and Exploration, 8:45 am

Confirmation, ninth grade only, 8:45 am

Faith Forum, 11 am: Poverty and Christian Faith

Faith and Film, 6:30 pm: Larry Crowne

Worship Sunday April 21, 2013

Worship at 10 a.m. with guest preacher The Rev. J. Cody Nielsen, chaplain for the Wesley Foundation at the University of Minnesota.  Sermon title: “Resurrecting Hope”

Morning Prayer:  (Used with permission of the publisher from Touch Holiness, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi. © 1990 Pilgrim Press)

Gracious God, comfort of the grieving, peace of the troubled, we turn to you.  Bring to our minds awareness of what it means to live in Christ’s presence.  Give us heart to love and to risk as your friends.  Send your Spirit to guide us in everything, through the word and promise of Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Songs: Awesome God; Maker, in Whom We Live; Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters; Bring Forth the Kingdom

Musicians: Tapestry (band); Sanctuary Choir; Velda Graham Bell, organ

8:45: Exploration and Discovery – Faith Formation for children and youth; Confirmation

11:00 a.m. Adult Faith Forum: Dr. Elizabeth Nelson, UMD discussing research she has been doing on happiness

We will also be celebrating a baptism this Sunday.

 

 

Worship Sunday April 14, 2013

We would love to greet you Sunday morning.

Scripture Reading: John 21:1-19

Sermon:  “Like” Jesus

Morning Prayer: God of life and love, God of the Christ and of the cross, meet us in those moments in our lives when we are weary, and our nets are empty.  Meet us in the mornings of our lives, when the day is fresh with expectation.  Meet us in those naked times in our lives, when we feel vulnerable.  Meet us in the ordinary moments of our lives – fishing, eating, conversing.  Meet us in ways that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary as we continue to respond to your voice in Jesus saying, “Follow me.”  Amen.

Songs: Thine Be the Glory; Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore; Christ is Risen

Musicians: Sanctuary Choir, Ringtones bell choir; Velda Graham Bell, organist

8:45: Discovery and Exploration Children and Youth Faith Formation; Confirmation

11:00: Faith Forum – Barb Hakala presenting about Chief Justice John Marshall