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Tag: Easter

Sunday. April 1, 2018

Written by St. James UCC on . Posted in Bulletins.

Easter Sunday

For Meditation and Reflection
“Without Easter, there would be no Christianity! Whatever it was that constituted the Easter experience, the obvious fact is that there was enormous power in that moment that cries out for explanation.” – John Shelby Spong

Welcome and Announcements
A warm welcome is extended to all. Especially those who are worshiping at St. James for the first time or who have returned after an absence. Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.

Call to Worship
Pastor: We come together this Easter morning to rejoice in the ongoing creation around us and within us. We would remember the teachings of Jesus, whose words and deeds embodied the outreaching of unconditional love. And we acknowledge that we yearn to be touched by such love.
People: On this Easter morning may our senses come alive, ready to respond to all the beauty and harmony of life around us.
Pastor: May the symbols of this place, cross and table, book and candle, bread and cup, speak strength and courage to our hearts and minds, as we come and as we go.
People: On this Easter morning may the heavy stones which burden us be rolled away, releasing our spirits to love and to new life.
Pastor: As we celebrate the message of Easter, may we be helped to say yes to life, yes to a new beginning, yes to the presence that gives us courage for whatever is ahead of us.
All: On this Easter morning may we discover a joyous and courageous faith coming alive within us all. Welcome to worship!

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May 28, 2017

Written by St. James UCC on . Posted in Bulletins.

For Meditation and Reflection:

“We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
– Maya Angelou

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer (in unison): Come, O Creator, O Immensity of love, O Eternity of mercy. Come, and be with us and in us and beside us and over us. Be as hands upon us, and fashion us for shining. Be as warmth within us, and fire us for caring. Be as strength beside us, and shape our lives for healing. Abide in our prayers, the spoken and the unspoken; and make your Word come true in our flesh; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Responsive Call to Worship
Leader: Beautiful are the works of God!
People: Beautiful also are the skins of God’s people!
Leader: Beautiful is the mind of God!
People: Beautiful also are the hopes of God’s people!
Leader: Beautiful is the heart of God!
People: Beautiful also are the souls of God’s people!
Leader: God made the heavens and the earth!
People: To God be the glory for the things God has done!

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May 21, 2017

Written by St. James UCC on . Posted in Bulletins.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Worship Leader: David Plume

For Meditation and Reflection:
Creator of the universe, you made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of Jesus Christ. We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Welcome, Announcements and Introduction

Call to Worship:
Leader: We long for community and the Presence of God.
People: In whom we live and move and have our being.
Leader: This day, Christ tells us that we will never be alone. An Advocate will share our journey.
People: With whom we will live and create community and celebrate being.
Leader: May the ever present love of God be with you.
People: And may the joy of Christ surround you.
Leader: May we know the presence of the Advocate as we gather in this community of peace, continuing to share the cost of discipleship with deeds of bold mercy and courageous justice.
All: As an Easter People following a Risen Lord, may the life of Jesus live on in us and through us. Amen.

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May 7, 2017

Written by St. James UCC on . Posted in Bulletins.

Tena Brass, Lay Leader | Rev. Esther R. Ziegler, Worship Leader

Good Shepherd of the Sheep, you have opened the door to new life for us through your dedication and your sacrifice. May we reflect your love for us by opening the doors of our hearts to you and your beloved creation.

Welcome, Announcements and Introduction

Call to Worship, Rev. Ziegler

One: Come into this place as you are: friend or stranger, lost or found, old or young.
All: Come, for you are the person the Good Shepherd loves and gives life.
One: Come as you are to worship and to be folded into God’s tender care and shelter.
All: Come, let us worship and follow the one who reigns with love.

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April 23, 2107

Written by St. James UCC on . Posted in Bulletins.

Earth Day

For Meditation and Reflection:
“The idea that we live in something called the environment is preposterous. The world that environs us, that is around us, is also within us. We are made of it, we eat, drink and breathe it; it is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh.”
-Wendell Berry
Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer : Oh, Great Creator,
We come before you in a humble manner. We pray for all our relations in nature.
We pray for all those who walk, crawl, fly and swim. May there be good health
And healing for this earth. May there be beauty above us; may there be beauty
Below us; may there be beauty in us, and may there be beauty around us. We ask that this world be filled with Love, Beauty and Peace.
-Medicine Grizzly Bear, Spokane, WA 1990

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