Gathering Music
“Now Thank We All Our God” UMH 102
Words: Martin Rinkart, Music: Johann Crüger
- Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today. - O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next. - All praise and thanks to God,
Creator now be given;
To Christ and Holy Dove
who dwell in highest heaven;
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
Call to Worship
Jen Nelson
From enfleshed, based on Proverbs 8
Leader: God of Martha, God of Mary
All: guide us in the tradition of wise women –
Leader: those who know that the work of love
All: requires devotion to the practical
Leader: and devotion to the spiritual.
All: Those who teach us that caregiving
Leader: and contemplation
All: are not opposed to one another,
Leader: but inform one another
All: and weave in and out of our days.
Leader: Come, the God of work and wonder awaits!
Opening Song
“Everlasting God” W&S 3021 – OneLicense #A-729109
Words & Music: Brenton Brown & Ken Riley
Strength will rise
As we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord,
we will wait upon the Lord. (Repeat)
Our God!
You reign for ever,
Our Hope,
Our strong Deliverer!
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary
You’re the defender
Of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on
Wings like eagles
Poem
“To Each Her Own” by Emily Rose Proctor
Maggie Wolford
Martha knows the dinner will not cook itself.
Mary feels the moment swiftly passing.
Martha knows each thing has its place.
Mary notices how each thing changes with the light.
Martha knows a word from him would change things.
Mary turns the words like honeyed almonds in her mouth.
Martha knows the kitchen turned temple,
The pot of stew a thurible, filling every empty space.
Mary listens with a thirst that frightens her
For something that makes no sound.
Scripture Reading – Luke 10:38-42
Byeol Han
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Anthem
“We Call You Beloved”
Words: Laurie Zelman, Music: Mark Miller
Seminary Choir
Sermon
“Refusing to Choose”
Rev. Dr. Hilary McKane
Musical Response
Holy Communion
Rev. Dr. Hilary McKane
Servers: Dobyo Amos, Cassie Montelongo
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, our Creator.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: We gather at the table to remember the meal that Jesus shared with us: a meal of community, of thanksgiving, of grace.
We remember that on the night Jesus was arrested, he took bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you; this is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you. Drink this in remembrance of me.”
We remember, and we give thanks.
O God, pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and cup. In eating the bread, in drinking of the cup, in remembering your acts of love and grace, make us one in Christ, that we might be Christ for others.
All: Amen.
Leader: As we prepare our hearts to share in this meal, let us sing together the Lord’s Prayer.
(Singing)
Our God in heaven, Holy is your name
Your reign come, Your will done
On earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
And help us forgive as we have been forgiven
In the time of trial, Lead us into life
For yours is the kindom
and the power and the glory
For ever!
Our God in heaven
Holy is your name, holy is your name.
Sharing in the Bread and Cup
Leader: The body of Christ given for you. The cup of Christ poured out for you. Come, and share in this meal.
Communion Songs
“Eat This Bread” UMH 628 – OneLicense #A-729109
Eat this bread, drink this cup. Come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup. Trust in me and you will not thirst.
“Standing In the Need of Prayer” UMH 352
Negro Spiritual
It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer.
It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer.
Not my sibling, not my family but it’s me O Lord
standing in the need of prayer.
Not my sibling, not my family but it’s me O Lord
standing in the need of prayer.
Not the preacher, not the deacon,
standing in the need of prayer.
Not the preacher, not the deacon,
standing in the need of prayer.
Not my mother, not my father,
standing in the need of prayer.
Not my mother, not my father,
standing in the need of prayer.
Blessing
Rev. Dr. Hilary McKane
Sending Song
“God Has Work For Us to Do”
Words: Carl Daw, Jr., Music: Mark Miller
Till all the jails are empty
and all the bellies filled;
till no one hurts or steals or lies,
and no more blood is spilled:
God has work for us to do,
God has work for us to do,
till God’s will is done and all things are made new,
God has work for us,
work for us to do!
Till age and race and gender
no longer separate;
till pulpit, press, and politics
are free of greed and hate:
God has work for us to do,
God has work for us to do,
till God’s will is done and all things are made new,
God has work for us,
work for us to do!
By praying through our doing,
and singing though we fear,
by trusting that the seed we sow
will bring God’s harvest near:
God has work for us to do,
God has work for us to do,
till God’s will is done and all things are made new,
God has work for us,
work for us to do!
Drew Theo Chapel 