Orientation chapel – Aug 24

Welcome

Gathering Music

Njalo!  (Always!) trad. Shona

Njalo, Njalo!

Always we pray

Always we give

Always we bless

Always!

We Are Called

Come! live in the light!
Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!
We are called to be light for the kin-dom,
to live in the freedom of the city of God!

Refrain: We are called to act with justice.
We are called to love tenderly.
We are called to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God.

Come! Open your heart!
Show your mercy to all those in fear!
We are called to be hope for the hopeless,
so all hatred and blindness will be no more!

Sing! Sing a new song!
Sing of that great day when all will be one!
God will reign and we’ll walk with each other
as siblings together,  united in love!

Hakuna Wakaita Sa Jesu

Call to Worship                                                                              

One:               If you come here rejoicing or come here in sadness

  If you used the stairs or used the elevator

Many:            You are welcome here!

One:               If you are young, or young at heart you are welcome here.

  If you make a lot of money or are searching for a job  you are welcome here

Many:            You are welcome here!

One:               If your skin is brown or peach or anything in between

  If your first language is not English you are welcome here

Many:            You are welcome here!

One:               If you are married, partnered, single with children or live alone you are

  welcome here. If you are gay or bi, or trans or questioning

  you are welcome.

Many:            You are welcome here!

One:               And If you are straight, You are welcome here

  Whether you have come to church all your life or this might be one of your
first times

All:                 You are welcome here!

Hymn of Praise

Welcome                  (w&s 3152)

Ephesians 6:10-20 NRSV                                                           

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present age, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Song of Response

We Resist

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Remembrance                                         

Eternal God we give thanks for your presence among us today. It is with joy we gather here in this place at the beginning of a brand new year. As we set out on this educational journey together we bring with us excitement and trepidation, curiosity and questions. We remember that surrounding all of us in this room are countless others – mentors, teachers, parents, siblings, friends – who have walked with us and who have helped us arrive here at Drew. We give thanks now for this great cloud of witness by saying their names aloud:

The congregation is invited to call names aloud.

Hear our prayers and our thanksgivings for all whom we have remembered this day – both aloud and in our hearts. May their presence never be far from us. Amen.

Baptismal Vows

One:               On behalf of this community, I ask you:

  Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,

                        reject the evil powers of this world?

Many:            I do.

One:               Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you

to resist evil, injustice, and oppression

in whatever forms they present themselves?

Many:            I do.

One:               According to the grace given to you,

  will you remain faithful members of this community

   and serve as a representative of love in the world?

Many:            I will.

Response to Vows

What Does the Lord Require of You?

Blessing                                                                                                             

Sending Forth

What Does the Lord Require of You? (reprise)