Gathering Music

Call to Worship

One: Let us worship God, who has done great things.
Many: We rejoice in our God, who made a way through the desert of this world.
One: Let us worship God, who has caused streams of mercy to flow in the wasteland.
Many: Come let us worship the one who makes us a way.

Opening Song of Praise

“Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” UMH #127

Scripture

Psalm 137:1-4 (NRSV)

1 By the rivers of Babylon—
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows there
we hung up our harps.
3 For there our captors
asked us for songs,
and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4 How could we sing the Lord’s song
in a foreign land?

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

Sermon

“Singing the Blues on a Note of Hope”

Rev. Julian Cook

Sung Response

“Waymaker” by Michael W. Smith

You are here, moving in our midst
We worship You, we worship You
You are here, working in this place
We worship You, we worship You

You are here, moving in our midst
We worship You, we worship You

You are here, working in this place
We worship You, we worship You

Waymaker, Miracle Worker
Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are (x2)

You are here, healing every heart
We worship You, we worship You
You are here, turning lives around
We worship You, we worship You

Prayers of the People

One: Holy One, for your world and your children we bring our prayers to you, God of love.

Many: For those creatures who are misunderstood and for those places which are abused, may there be loving care.

One: For those who have not known love and for those who struggle to care, may there always be another chance.

Many: For those who live in fear and for those who bring fear to others, may there be justice and peace.

One: For those living with wounds and for those confounded by death and loss, may there be hope for new life.

Many: For those who want to understand more and for those who are content, may minds and hearts remain open.

One: For the joys and concerns on our hearts and minds that we lift to you now …

The community offers prayers aloud.

One: Hear our cries and lead us. Amen.

Blessing

Rev. Julian Cook

Sending Song

“I Feel Like Going On”

I feel like going on
I feel like going on
Though trials come on every hand
I feel like going on! 2x

I feel like praising God…

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Worship Notes:

Call to Worship: adapted by Kelsey Wallace from https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/02/call-to-worship-litany-for-lent.html

Prayers of the People: adapted by Kelsey Wallace from https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/04/prayers-of-people-april-22-2012.html