Gathering Music

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Call to Prayer

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come and find rest.
God is gentle and merciful, peace will be yours.
This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
Come, breathe deep, and let go.

Opening Song

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Reading

Philippians 4:4-9 (NRSV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Time of Reflection

Sung Response

“It is Well With My Soul”

Prayer of the Day

May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance. It is there for each and every one of you. Amen.

Blessing

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore, may the relief of laughter rinse through your soul. As the wind loves to call things to dance, may your gravity be lightened by grace. May your prayer of listening deepen enough to hear in the depths the laughter of God.

Sending Song

“Prayer of Peace”

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Worship Notes:

Call to Prayer: adapted by Kelsey Wallace from a prayer posted from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Prayer of the Day: widely attributed to either Teresa of Avila or St. Therese of Lisieux, this poem was in fact written by British poet Minnie Louise Haskins and published in her 1908 book, The Desert.

Blessing: excerpt from John O’Donohue, “For Equilibrium,” To Bless the Space Between Us (New York: Doubleday, 2008).