Gathering Music

“Fugue in E Minor” J.S. Bach

Call to Worship

We come this day, Holy God, as people in need of your steadfast love:
with you is the fountain of life; in your light we seek hope.
We gather this day, Water-changing God, as people looking for signs:
with you is the fountain of life; in your light we seek hope.
We worship this day, Gifting God, as people who confess your love:
with you is the fountain of life; in your light we seek hope.

Hymn of Welcome

“How Firm a Foundation” v. 1-3

First Reading

“For A New Beginning” by John O’Donohue

Read by Dr. Stephen Moore

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Scripture

John 2:1-7 (NRSV)

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

Homily

“Unfurl Yourself into the Grace of Beginning”

Dr. Kate Ott

Musical Response

Prayer of the Day

Blessing

Dr. Kate Ott

Sending Song

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Worship Notes:

Call to Worship adapted by Kelsey Wallace from a prayer written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

John O’Donohue, “For a New Beginning,” from To Bless the Space Between Us https://aaronmonts.com/for-a-new-beginning/