Gathering Music

“Wa Wa Wa Emimimo” (Yoruba, Come, Holy Spirit)

Wa wa wa emimimo
Wa wa wa alagbara
Wao, wao, wao

Come, O Holy Spirit Come!
Wao, wao wao

Call to Worship

Brinna Kolitz

One: We have come to worship God, the living God,
All: Who calls prophets and teachers to bear witness.

One: We have come to praise God, the almighty God,
All: Who stands with us against the forces of hatred and hurt.

One: We have come to worship God, the graceful God,
All: Who extends abundant blessing to all.

Hymn

“Come Thou Fount” UMH 400

Confession and Assurance

One: You call us to be your voices in this world
Many: and we stay silent.
One: You call us to be your hands in this world
Many: and we keep them hidden.
One: You call us to be your feet in this world
Many: and we go our own way.
One: When we meet those who are doubting
Many: and say nothing, forgive us.
One: When we meet those who need your touch
Many: and do nothing, forgive us.
One: When we meet those who have nowhere to go
Many: and we close our doors, forgive us.
One: When we are called to take up your cross
Many: and carry nothing, forgive us.

Breathe life into these bones
bring freedom to these lives
that we might declare
with heart and soul and voice
that you are our Lord and our God.

One: Take comfort, for in Christ there is always more than enough. We are always and already embraced by God’s love.
Many: Thanks be to God. Amen.

Scripture

Luke 15:1-10 NRSV

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 So Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

One: Hear what the spirit is saying
Many: We are listening

Homily

“Of Pharisees and Lost Things”

Kelsey Wallace

Choir Anthem

“Ready for a Change”

Words by Rusty Edwards & Jenni Lee Boyden, Music by Mark Miller

Table Liturgy

The Rev. Dr. Dean Javier Viera

One:
Beloved, we come to this Table because we are claimed in covenant
Because we are still learning what covenant and togetherness means
how it looks and moves and feels
Because we long for liberation
Because we thirst for justice
Because we know the need—fierce and urgent—
for grace and freedom and nourishment in our flesh and our bones
This is Christ’s table and to it you are invited to bring your whole lives.
All are welcome here.

We give you thanks, O God, for the mighty sweep of your love, embracing all people and all nations. We thank you that you have sent Jesus Christ to us to break down the walls of hostility which divide the earth’s people, and to reveal your all-encompassing love, connecting us all. Through the power of your Spirit, may this solidarity become reality.

Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me.” As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Many:
And so, we do. We remember. We offer. We receive. And we share in this nourishing feast. Because we know how to nourish each other in ordinary and extraordinary ways. Because we need each other and we need this sacrament – this grace flowing and overflowing.

“Lord’s Prayer”

One:
Pour out your Spirit on this community and these gifts. Make them a taste of your kindom through Christ with us, that we might leave the table both nourished by your love and still hungry for justice for all your people. Amen.

Music During Communion

“Let Us Break Bread Together”

Blessing

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

Sending

“Your Grace and Mercy” trad. Gospel

Your Grace and mercy brought me through
I’m living this moment because of You
I want to thank You and praise you too
Your grace and mercy brought me through!

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Worship Notes:

Call to Worship: adapted from a post on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways Archive. http://www.ucc.org/ 
Prayer of Confession: from www.firstpreswc.org 
Communion Liturgy: adapted by Kelsey Wallace from: enfleshed.com and Ruth Duck. Bread for the Journey: Resources for Worship. Cleveland: United Church Press, 1981. 13, 52.
Blessing: © Kelsey Wallace, 2017