Gathering Music

“Njalo”

Njalo, Njalo!  

Always we pray
Always we give
Always we bless
Always!

Call to Worship

Kirsten Trambley

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 this all feels familiar or brand new, you are welcome here.

All: Together we walk this journey toward belonging, welcoming each other with joy.

Song

“Welcome” W&S #3152

Scripture

Kirsten Trambley

Proverbs 1:2-7 NRSV

2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,
knowledge and prudence to the young—
5 let the wise also hear and gain in learning,
and the discerning acquire skill,
6 to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NRSV

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Reflection

Kelsey Wallace

Song

“We Are Called”

1.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.

2. 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!

3. 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!

Prayer

Kelsey Wallace

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 calls 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.

Blessing

Sending Music

“Njalo”

Njalo, Njalo!  

Always we pray
Always we give
Always we bless
Always!