Call to Worship

Psalm 66:1-4

Many: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
One: Sing the glory of God’s name; give to God glorious praise.

Many: Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
One: Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.

Many: All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you,
One: Sing praises to your name.

Opening Hymn

“Uyai Mose (Come, All You People)” FWS 2274

Uyai mose, tinamate Mwari.
Uyai mose, tinamate Mwari.
Uyai mose, tinamate Mwari.
Uyai mose zvino.

Come, all you people, come and praise your Maker.
Come, all you people, come and praise your Maker.
Come, all you people, come and praise your Maker.
Come now and worship the Lord.

Scripture

Isaiah 42:1-4

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon them;
they will bring forth justice to the nations.

The servant will not cry or lift up their voice,
or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed they will not break,
and a dimly burning wick they will not quench;
they will faithfully bring forth justice.

The servant will not grow faint or be crushed
until they have established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for their teaching.

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

Hymn of Preparation

“Holy Spirit”

There’s nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord

There’s nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (repeat 4x)

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Scripture

Isaiah 42:5-9

Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.

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

Prayer

Lord, as we prepare for the coming of a new semester, make us ready, attentive and available to hear you. Thank you for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance that you walk through it with us. Thank you for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.

May all that we are and all that we do this semester – even our frustrations and failings – be placed in your hands. We ask that you send your spirit upon us. Surround us with the wisdom and mystery of the universe.

May the work we do and the way we do it, bring new hope, new life, and courage to all we come in contact with this semester. In the name of the one who was and is and is to come we pray, Amen.

Hymn of Response

“Great Are You, Lord”

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only x2

And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only

Great are you, Lord

Benediction

Sending

“Hakuna Wakaita 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
I’m searching, searching,
everywhere
haku, haku na na

---

Worship Notes:

Prayer adapted from: https://kscnewmancenter.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/welcome-back-a-prayer-for-the-new-semester/ and https://www.marquette.edu/faith/prayer-to-begin-a-new-semester.php