GATHERING MUSIC

“Welcome”

CALL TO WORSHIP

Felistas Mahachi

let this be the welcoming place
the place of return

and let it be built by a love
that bends towards those who return here

for it is a love that has been waiting
like a candle in the window
ever lighting the way back
and never willing to let go
the hope that each child
will return home

let it be the place where
the only appropriate response
to love that has come to the end of its longing
is to feast and celebrate
send up balloons
and prepare the party
for that which has been lost
has returned to be among us
once more

UNISON OPENING PRAYER

Daekyung Ko

Leader: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.
All: Holy Breath of Life,
There are moments when our decisions do not take into consideration the well-being of our neighbors. There are times when our reactions turn inward instead of building healthy reconciliation. How is it that we are holding back our neighbor’s rebirth? How are our implicit and explicit biases restricting God’s grace and radical love? How do our actions and biases impede our own spiritual growth?
Urge us to be life-giving agents of your love. May each of our steps be healing not only to us, but to our siblings on the journey. Amen.

SONG

“What Does the Lord Require of You”

SCRIPTURE – Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Yajenlemla

15Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3So he told them this parable:

11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

HOLY COMMUNION

Great is your faithfulness, O God Creator. 

There is no shadow of turning with you. 

You waver not, your compassion – it fails not. 

To every promise, O God you are true. 

Great is your faithfulness. Great is your faithfulness. 

Morning by morning new life we receive. 

All we have needed your hands have provided. 

Great is your faithfulness in all we see.

Come to God’s table now. Come lift your hearts up. 

Come to the table and give God your praise! 

Come and receive now the gifts God would give you.

Come now and follow for all of your days. 

Great is God’s faithfulness. Great is God’s faithfulness. 

Here at the table, God’s grace we receive. 

Here at the table, we lay down our burdens. 

Here at God’s table, we share in Christ’s peace. 

God, we remember that night at the supper,

Jesus took bread and he gave thanks to you,

Breaking it, shared it with all the disciples,

“Eat, and remember whenever you do.” 

Great is God’s faithfulness. Great is God’s faithfulness. 

Come and receive Bread of Life, gift of grace. 

Here we partake of the bounty Christ offers. 

Here at God’s table, we all have a place. 

Christ shared the cup as a sign of forgiveness. 

“This is my gift of life poured out for you,” 

Pardon for sin, and a peace that’s enduring. 

“Drink, and remember whenever you do.” 

Great is God’s faithfulness. Great is God’s faithfulness. 

Take now the cup that will truly quench thirst. 

Here we are called by Christ to living waters

Here at the table, in love we’re immersed. 

Pour out your Spirit, God. We are your servants!

Pour out your Spirit and transform this meal. 

Make this for us into Christ’s sacred body

And may we go forth as Christ for the world.

Great is your faithfulness. Great is your faithfulness. 

Morning by morning new life we receive. 

All we have needed your hands have provided. 

Great is your faithfulness in all we see.

We give you thanks, God, for this holy mystery, 

We give you thanks for the gifts you provide: 

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, 

Blessings all ours, with ten thousand beside! 

Great is your faithfulness. Great is your faithfulness.

Here at the table, God’s grace we’ve received. 

All we have needed your hands have provided. 

Great is your faithfulness in all we see!

SONG

“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”

BLESSING

SENDING FORTH SONG

Worship Notes: 

The Call to Worship is adapted from Roddy Hamilton at Mucky Paws. The Opening Prayer is adapted from Michelle Torigian at UCC Worship Ways.