29 September 2022 – Chapel – Drew Theo Chapel

Gathering Music

“I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me” – Negro Spiritual
I’m so glad Jesus lifted me! 3x
Glory Hallelujah!
Jesus lifted Me!

…when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me!

…Satan had me bound but Jesus lifted me!

Call to Worship

Justin Spano

Leader: How precious, how fragile, how short is life!
All: Our lives are but a breath.
Leader: The Divine brings us into being,
All: weaves our lives together,
Leader: and ushers us into eternal rest.
Blessed are the Sacred rhythms of life
and holy are these tasks:
All: to be alive,
to pay attention,
to honor the fleeting with awe and care.

Opening Song

“After the Flood” – Music: Mark A. Miller

Opening Prayer

Leader: Search my heart, O Love,
and lead me in the ways of solidarity.
Help me to lay down my defenses
and grow beyond the edges of my knowing
that I may move more deeply into practices
of care,
of right-relationship,
of liberation and transformation.
Grounded in the truth of my inherent worth,
planted in the knowledge of my power,
mindful of the stories,
and legacies,
and systems that shape me,
I pray my becoming unfolds
in the direction of freedom:
Mine. Others. Ours. This planet’s.
May this day be my teacher
and my learning sincere.
All: Amen.

Scripture Reading – Colossians 4:1-6 (NRSV)

Josiah John Mono

1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
5 Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making the most of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.