Sung Evening Prayer

Gathering Songs

“Let Your Love Shine”

“Welcome”

Call to Prayer

Hayoung Kang

Come, Come, whoever you are!
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
Come.
This is not a caravan of despair.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve broken your vow
a thousand times, still come,
and yet come again!
– Rumi

Hymn of Welcome

“For Everyone Born”

Scripture

Kelsey Wallace

Revelation 22:16-17

16 “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

Sung Response to the Word

Hananim, Hananim, be a light on our path

Reading

Brinna Kolitz

Love (III) by George Herbert (1593-1633)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything.

“A guest,” I answered, “worthy to be here”:
Love said, “You shall be he.”
“I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on thee.”
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
“Who made the eyes but I?”

“Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.”
“And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?”
“My dear, then I will serve.”
“You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”
So I did sit and eat.

Prayers of the People

Kelsey Wallace

Gracious God, we come before you tonight carrying joys and sorrows, with thanksgiving and need. We give thanks for the stewardship you have given us of this planet earth, for the gifts of life and companionship, for your love which is unbounded and eternal.

We pray tonight for our world and those who lead it. Whether known or unknown to us, they are known intimately by you. They are people like us who need encouragement, support, love, and prayer. People who have cause to celebrate and to mourn.

We lift up our towns, cities, neighborhoods, and families. Hear us now as we speak aloud the joys and concerns we have carried here today …

The congregation offers prayers aloud.

Watch over these places in our lives. Be present in the broken places and help reveal the needs of our communities. Encourage us to reach out to our neighbors, not just to live behind closed doors. Heal the brokenness that exists in families due to addictions, abuse, neglect, and stress. Show each of us how we might be bearers of your grace and mercy in a despairing world.

Into your hands we commend ourselves and those we love. Be with us still, and when we take our rest renew us for the work ahead of us that we might help your kin-dom to come – even here, even now.

In despair and in hope, in trouble and in joy, help us, O God, to trust your love, to serve your purposes, and to praise your name, through Jesus the Christ who taught us to pray, singing …

“Lord’s Prayer”

Blessing

All:
Friends as we prepare to leave this place and go our separate ways remember that you are never alone. The God who made us and called us is with us still. So shroud yourself in peace, extend your hands in love, and keep hope ever before your eyes. Go with courage, go with strength, go with blessing. Amen. 

“Mambo Sawa”

Sending Forth

 

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Worship Notes:

“For Everyone Born”, words by Shirley Erena Murray ©1998 Hope Publishing Co., music by Brian Mann ©2006, admin. General Board of Global Music.

“Let Your Love Shine,” words & music by Mark A. Miller, © 2017 used by permission.

“Lord’s Prayer,” music by Mark A. Miller, words adapted by Laurie Zelman and Mark A. Miller, © 2011, Abingdon Press.

“Mambo Sawa”, trad. African. Transcribed by Mark A. Miller, © 2014 transcription by Mark A. Miller.

“Welcome”, words by Laurie Zelman, music by Mark A. Miller, © 2007 Abingdon Press, admin. By the Copyright Company.

Prayers of the People – Adapted by Kelsey Wallace from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer and the UKirk Worship Resource.