Gathering

Njalo

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!

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 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 an immigrant with or without papers, if you have lived here many generations or belong to the First nations,

Many: You are welcome here!

One:
If you are partnered or single with children or live alone you are welcome here. If you are gay or bi, or trans or questioning,

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 barely at all,

All: You are welcome here!

Welcome

Let’s walk together for awhile
And ask where we begin
To build a world where love can grow
And hope can enter in
To be the hands of healing
And to plant the seeds of peace

Singing welcome!
welcome to this place
you’re invited to come and know God’s grace, all are welcome, the love of God to share ’cause all of us are welcome here,
all are welcome in this place.

Let’s dream together of the day
when earth and heaven are one
A city built of love and light
the new Jerusalem
Where mourning turns to dancing
Every creature lifts its voice!

Crying welcome!
welcome to this place
you’re invited to come and know God’s grace, all are welcome, the love of God to share ’cause all of us are welcome here,
all are welcome in this place.

Scripture

Psalm 126 (MSG)

It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations— “God was wonderful to them!” God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people.

And now, God, do it again—
bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

Song of Response

Shir Hama’alot

Shir hama’alot B’shuv Adonai,
Etshivat tsiyon hayinu kecholmim (2x)
hayinu kecholmim (2x)

Then our mouths will fill with song
and our tongues with laughter
Az yimalei s’chok pinu ulshoneinu rinah
Az yomru vagoyim.

Higdil Adonai la’asot im eileh
Higdil Adonai la’asot imanu
hayinu s’meichim, hayinu s’meichim,

Shuva Adonai et sheviteinu
Kaafikim banegev.
Hazorim bedimah, berina yiktsoru berina yiktsoru

Those who weep
bearing precious seeds
will return with song
carrying their sheaves 2x
Carrying their sheaves, singing for joy!

Higdil Adonai la’asot im eileh
Higdil Adonai la’asot imanu
hayinu s’meichim, hayinu s’meichim

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 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.

Remembering Our 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

Hakuna Wakita Sa Jesu

Hakuna wakaita sa Jesu
Hakuna wakaita sa ye
Hakuna wakaita sa Jesu
Haku, Haku na na!

I’m running, running
Searching, searching
I’m turning, turning
Searching searching
Haku Haku na na!

Blessing