OneLicense #A-729109

Gathering Music

Come With Me into the Journey
Words: Chris Shelton, Music: Mark A. Miller

Centering Words

“Polaris”

Read by Dorothy Jayne Smith

By Cole Arthur Riley, “Calling,” Black Liturgies, pg. 51

We all know not to
Walk on the tracks
At dark,

But we are balancing bodies
On the rails to see if
It’s possible

To make the shape of us
Look like a suspension
Bridge.

Someone says that isn’t the North Star,
It’s Venus and we close our eyes
Like a vow departing.

Someone says
Listen, listen

Even through lidded eyes
We can see lights approaching

Opening Song

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (UMH 474)

Opening Prayer

“For Those Who are Looking for a Sign”

Robert Dubose

By Cole Arthur Riley, “Calling,” Black Liturgies, pg. 54

Leader: God who shows, I need a sign. However sincere my discernment, it seems like clarity continues to evade me. God, how will I know? In the absence of firm assurance, this lack of confidence pulls me here and there like a leash. Remind me that many things can be good at once, but if there is an answer that is most right for me in this season, reveal it to me. Help me to have compassion for myself as I name my uncertainty. Show me what it means to be a person of both conviction and openness, that I might gain the courage to act and decide even when it feels like a risk. May I find divine affirmation on the path to self-trust.

All: Amen.

Introduction of our Speaker

Rev. Dr. Arthur Pressley

Scripture Reading Psalm 139:23-24

Hyunjun Jung

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

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

Sermon

“The Road Less Traveled”

Rev. Dr. Dolores Watson

Musical Response

You Are There

by Youngjoo Song

You have searched me O Lord, You know me
When I sit and when I rise, You know my thoughts from afar
My going out and my lying down You know all my way
Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely

Where can I go from Your Spirit and Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there
Where can I flee from Your Spirit and Your presence?
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.

You have searched me O Lord, You know me
When I sit and when I rise, You know my thoughts from afar
My going out and my lying down You know all my way

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there Your hand will guide me, right hand will hold me tight.

Where can I go from Your Spirit and Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there
Where can I flee from Your Spirit and Your presence?
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there

Blessing

Rev. Dr. Dolores Watson

Sending Song

All My Days
Words: Laurie Zelman, Music: Mark Miller

You know my words before they’re said
You know my need and I am fed
You give me life. You know my ways,
my strength, my path, for all my days
my strength, my path, for all my days

If I should fly beyond the dawn,
the darkness will not overcome
If I lie down in deepest night,
still you are there, my Lord, my light,
still you are there, my Lord, my light

Our every thought, each word we say,
the whole of time, the present day,
are held within your mighty hand,
too wonderful to comprehend,
too wonderful to comprehend.

O mend my heart and free my voice.
From sin released, I will rejoice.
O search me, Lord, my spirit cries,
and let my song of praise arise,
and let my song of praise arise.