Gathering Music

“Who Has the Final Say?”

Who has the Final Say?
Jehovah has the final say 2x
Jehovah turns our lives around
He turns our lives around
She makes a way when there is no way
Jehovah has the final say

Call to Worship

(adapted from Rev. Nancy C. Townley)

Yajenlemla

Leader: Great Spirit of God, you heal our wounds.
All: You bring us from paths of hurt and anger.
Leader: You bless our lives, and ask us to be a blessing to others.
All: Let us worship you in great joy.
Leader: Let us remember the ways you have turned our mourning into dancing.
All: Let us give thanks to you forever. Amen.

Opening Song

“Come Out”

Opening Prayer

(adapted from Rev. Roddy Hamilton, New Kilpatrick Church)

TayLavor Fugate

You break in, O God,
on the road
you break in, O God,
exactly the way we do not believe
you break in, O God,
and change everything

Why are your stories never mundane
Why can you not just leave us alone
and go and transform somewhere else
that is not as certain and sure of you
You just disrupt us and cause anxiety
We are not people of change

You break in, O God
with a call
you break in, O God
with an invitation
you break in, O God
with the truth

Why do you wait for us to respond
and never give up?
Why do you speak into our souls
the truth of how we live?
Why do you keep goading us, provoking us
disturbing us with the truth?

You break in, O God
with a new realm
You break in, O God
with a new world
You break in, O God
with your intent for the future

You always are a challenge to us
and we dream of that realm of yours we speak of so often
but what disturbs us most is how you want to get there
through us, your partners and companions,
with space enough for everyone
even those who persecute you
by doing nothing

God, break in again
and call us to be your workers
God, break in again
and use the gifts we are to build your realm
God, break in again
and change our world once more.
So be it
Amen

Scripture Reading – Acts 9:1-9

Andy McClain

9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way … he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5 He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ 7 Those who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

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

Seminary Choir

Sermon

“An Unplugged Faith”

Rev. Dr. Kevin Miller

Musical Response

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Adapted from Jeanyne Slettom, Process and Faith

Rev. Dr. Kevin Miller

Leader: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
Leader: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: Jesus said: I am the bread of life.
All who come to me shall not hunger,
and all who believe in me shall not thirst.

Around the world and throughout the centuries,
we gather around these symbols
of bread and wine—simple elements
that speak of nourishment and transformation.

We remember on the night
when Jesus and the disciples
had their last meal together,
Jesus took the bread, gave thanks,
and gave it to the disciples,
saying “This is my body,
which is broken for you.
Take and eat it, and as often as you do, remember me.”
In the broken bread, we participate in the life of Christ.

In the same way Jesus took the cup,
and after giving thanks
he gave it to the disciples, saying:
“Drink this, all of you.
This cup is the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
In the cup, we participate in the new life Christ brings.

Let us pray.
Loving God, we thank you
that you are as close to us as breath,
that your love is constant and unfailing.
We thank you for all that sustains life,
and especially for Jesus,
who teaches us how to live out
an ethic of justice and peace,
and for the promise of transformation
made manifest in his life, death and resurrection.

We ask you to bless this bread and this cup.
Through this meal, make us the body of Christ,
that we may join with you in promoting the well-being of all creation.

Amen.

Blessing

Rev. Dr. Kevin Miller

Sending Song

“Walk in the Light”

Walk in the light, beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops
of mercy shine bright.
Oh shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world;