Tag: Rev. M. Michael Morse

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Written by St. James UCC on January 25, 2020. Posted in Bulletins.

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship led by Tena Brass; written by James Weldon Johnson, 1921

One: God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way.

All: Thou who hast by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

One: Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we meet Thee,

All: Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.

One: Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand

All: True to our God, true to our native land!

Hymn: When Israel was in Egypt’s Land #572

Prayer of Illumination led by Tena Brass

We stand in the light of truth, the light of love, the challenge of justice. Fill us, O God, with the power and grace to be the light’s brightness for the world and strong witnesses of sacred justice.

We have condemned racial injustice in our pronouncements, yet we cling to the privileges derived from social inequities. All too often we are blind to our complicity in maintaining systems of oppression and deferring the hopes and dreams of the oppressed for freedom. Give us the courage to name our sin, give us the strength to claim responsibility for our actions. Give us the grace to pay the price for changing our behavior. Amen.

Hymn: We Shall Overcome #570

Scripture: read by Tena Brass

Psalm 27:1-3
Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon: How Long, How Long, Push On Rev. Mike Morse

Part I To Kill a Mockingbird

Part II Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

Song: Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round

Part III John Lewis

Song: Precious Lord #472

Congregational Response

Offertory

And so, in gratitude we offer ourselves, and all that we have. May we be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Hymn I Woke Up This Morning With My Mind Stayed on Freedom #85

Benediction

Song: Lift Every Voice and Sing (1^st verse) #593

Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmony of liberty.

Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies; Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on, till victory is won.

Sharing Peace

All are invited to join fellow congregants for coffee and conversation in the Fellowship Hall after service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Sunday, Jan. 26^th 11 am – Worship led by Rev. Mike Morse

Next Sunday, Feb 2^nd 10 am – Adult Sunday School with Sea Raven and Mike Morse; 11 am – Communion Worship with Rev. Mike Lyle; 12:15 pm – Join in for Congregational Pot Luck!

Sunday, Feb. 9^th 10 am– Sunday School for Adults and Children; 11 am – Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle; 12:30 pm – Council Meeting

Sunday, Feb. 16^th– Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle

Sunday, Feb. 23^rd– Worship led by Rev. Mike Morse

Lovettsville Food Bank: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. See sign and box in Fellowship Hall.

During the Week at St. James:

Mindfulness Meditation. Wed. mornings 10 am, Fellowship Hall. Free. All welcome; beginners encouraged!

Stretch It Out! Fri. evenings 6:30 – 7:30pm. Fellowship Hall: Come feel good with relaxed stretching and strengthening for all ages. First class free.

English Language Classes for adults. Please pass the word. Saturday mornings 8:30 -10:30am, Free. Led by a certified ELL teacher. Childcare provided. Fellowship Hall. Help Needed: come work with adult students or help with childcare. No experience needed. Talk with Lauranne.

Statement of Faith: We gather as an open and affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.

Cover Credit: Za’atari Syrian refugee camp in Jordan; children with completed Art Education project by Joel Bergner with AptART and ACTED.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on December 20, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

4^th Sunday in Advent

PRELUDE Winter Solstice Waltz (Stephen Darnell); Lo How A Rose; What Child is This; Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet (Traditional) — Sea Raven, Celtic Harp

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

Isaiah 7:14: The Lord will give you a sign: The woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us.

Reflection: The young woman will bear a son and they shall name him God-With-Us. That is the promise of the prophets and the hope of Israel. That promise is fulfilled; that hope realized in the miracle of light, the miracle of God-With-Us. The Holy One has chosen to become one like us and to walk among us still. That is the mystery of the incarnation that we celebrate. Our God walks among us still in the guise of the immigrant, the refugee, the asylum seeker. Will we welcome the light, our God made flesh, as Mary and Joseph welcomed Jesus into their hearts and into their home? Since 2017, our government has continually made it more difficult for us to welcome those seeking refuge. The Trump administration has tightened the rules regarding asylum and has applied ever harsher standards in reviewing asylum applications. Migrants are fleeing their homes to seek refuge in the U.S. because they have heard that in America people are free and the U.S. government just. We pray it may be so someday soon.

Prayer: Good and gracious God, thank you for the many ways you reveal yourself to us—in the kindness of a grandmother, the generosity of a neighbor, the comfort of a friend. Give us eyes to see the goodness of your light in the faces of our immigrant neighbors. Give us ears to hear the good news of your word made flesh in those seeking safety at our borders. Give us courage to stand with asylum seekers now threatened by our own government, and with all in need, as we welcome your incarnate love made flesh. Amen. — Sister Ann Scholz, School Sisters of Notre Dame

SHARING OF JOYS AND SORROWS

Pastoral Prayer

A LITURGY OF CAROLS AND COMMENTARY: FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT — Rev. M. Michael Morse

I. Facing Fear and Despair

Reading: Isaiah 11

Carol: Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming #127

Reading: Luke 2:8-20

Carol: The First Noel #139 (vs. 1,2)

II. Hope, Innocence, Destiny

Reading: Matthew 2:1-11

Carol: What Child is This? #148

III. Protest

Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

Carols: Who Would Think that What Was Needed #153

‘Twas In the Moon of Wintertime #151

IV. The Coming of the Light

Reading: John 1:1-5

Carol: Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light #140

OFFERTORY: All Hayle to the Dayes (Traditional) – Sea Raven, Celtic Harp

SUNG RESPONSE: In the Bleak Mid-Winter (verse 4) #128

V. Great Joy

Reading: Luke 2:15

Carols: Angels We Have Heard on High #125

Joy To the World #132

BENEDICTION — Luke 2:25-32

Thoughts for the Day and Week: – Gospel of John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 9. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; but the world did not know him. 12. Yet, to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13. who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14. And so the Word became flesh,[…] full of grace and truth. 16. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Sunday, Dec. 22^nd– 4^th Sunday of Advent, 11am – Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse

Tuesday, Dec. 24^th– Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 5:30pm – Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle

Next Sunday, Dec. 29^th, 11am – Lay-led worship

Sunday, Jan. 5^th, 11am – Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle

It’s Christmas Sharing Tree Time! (spread the word) This has become a favorite St. James tradition. We hang gifts on the outdoor tree and invite the whole community to “Give what you can and take what you need.” Throughout December, please donate unwrapped gifts of toys, books, games (new), or winter wear (new/good condition). See bins and supplies in breezeway.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on December 7, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Preludes

Cold Frosty Morn; Basque Carol; 5^th Century Carol Medley Sea Raven, Celtic Harp

Welcome and Announcements

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

Advent Wreath Liturgy by Sister Marie Lucey of the Franciscan Action Network

Isaiah 11: 8-9: The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child shall lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain. . .

Reflection: The context of this quote from the prophet Isaiah is Rule of Emmanuel. Following passages in social injustice and violence, Isaiah envisions a world of justice and peace where animals and children play together without fear. No child in this world should be hungry, or afraid, or mistreated, but many thousands of children today are hungry and live in fear. The United States, tragically, enacts policies that create trauma for children at our southern border. Between December, 2018 and June 2019, at least 8 children died in detention. Many reports provide evidence of unsafe and unhealthy conditions for immigrant children held in detention separated from parents or adult family members. Many people have been outraged at images of children in cold, crowded, unhealthy facilities and have taken action to challenge inhumane policies. Legislators in both parties deplored an order to deport seriously ill children who could die if deported. Advent gives us a challenge to shine the light on cruel treatment of children, and to work for the Rule of Emmanuel.

Prayer: Emmanuel, God-With-Us, shine your light of compassion on children and families treated inhumanely as they seek safety in the U.S. Shine your light of mercy in the hearts of government officials that they may be transformed. Shine your light of persistence on advocates for children. Amen.

Hymn: Isaiah the Prophet # 108

Sharing of Joys and Sorrows

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Readings: Matthew 3:1-12; Romans 15: 4-13

Sermon: The Flame of Covenant: That’s the Way of the Lord Rev. M. Michael Morse

Responsive Sharing

Hymn: Sing a Different Song #150

(Substitute “Christmas is NEAR” for “Christmas is here.”)

Offering and Offertory I Wonder as I Wander (John Jacob Niles) Sea Raven, Celtic Harp

Sung Response: In the Bleak Mid-Winter (verse 4) #128

Closing Hymn: O Come Emmanuel #116

Taking the Light out into the World

BENEDICTION

Passing the Peace as we go…

All are invited to the Fellowship Hall, following service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

It’s Christmas Sharing Tree Time! (spread the word) Over the past few years, St. James has made a new tradition. We hang gifts on the outdoor tree and invite the community to “Give what you can and take what you need.” Please donate unwrapped toys (new), or winter wear (new/good condition). See bins and supplies in breezeway.

Sunday, Dec. 8^th– 2^nd Sunday of Advent 10am – Sunday Schools: Adults meet in the Sanctuary to discuss faith, focused by Chs. 11&12 of The Phoenix Affirmations. Children (ages 5-11) do a Sunday School Service Project to make gift bags for Mobile Hope, which serves homeless teens. The goal is for the children to make up 20 gift bags. 11am – Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse

Sunday, Dec. 15^th– 3^rd Sunday of Advent: 9:30am – Council Meeting; all welcome; 11am – Worship led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle

Sunday, Dec. 22^nd– 4^th Sunday of Advent: 11am – Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse

Sunday, Dec. 24^th– Christmas Eve: 5pm – Candlelight Service led by Rev. Dr. Michael Lyle

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on September 20, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering Music Scottish Medley – Sea Raven, Celtic Harp

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship

One: We are here to face the truth, about ourselves, about this faith we love, and the ways it presently serves others and the world.

All: As well as to open ourselves to ways it can better, and more joyfully, reflect our potential and core values. We want to know the ways we are bound to one another, as well as to larger religious movements normally beyond our sight and vision.

One: We say we are open and diverse.

All: Yet it is too easy to feel stuck in old paths and stubborn habits reflecting not so much tradition as our comfort.

One: We want to answer the call to service, to a world that needs our message, our hope, our revived energy –

All: We are gathered to learn, to unlearn, to hear, and to move forward. Amen.

– Stephen Kendrick,

“Lifting Our Voices, Readings in the Living Tradition.”

Opening Hymn: For the Fruit of All Creation # 425

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on July 13, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship

Musical Introduction and Meditation

Poem by Shirley Eren Murray;

Music by Calvin Hampton #587

Through all the world a hungry Christ must scavenge far for daily bread.

Must beg the rich for crumb and crust – We are the rich, the daily fed.

Beyond the church, a leper Christ takes each untouchable by hand,

Gives hope to those who have no trust, whose stigma is our social brand.

Musical Interlude and Meditation

In torture cell, a prisoner Christ

for justice and for truth must cry

To free the innocent oppressed

while we at liberty pass by.

We do not know you, beggar Christ,

we do not recognize your sores,

We do not see, for we are blind;

forgive us, touch us, make us yours.

Musical Interlude

Hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory # 436

Gathering Prayer

Sharing of Joys and Sorrows

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Readings:

Amos 7:7-17

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon: We’re All in the Ditch: The Good Samaritan Recast

Rev. M. Michael Morse

Hymn: Let Justice Flow Like Streams #588

Responsive Sharing

Offertory Music

Sung Response: #785

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be

All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Hymn: From the Crush of Wealth and Power #552

Benediction

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer Schedule: 10am worship July and August.

This Sunday, July 14^th

10:00am – Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse

11:00 – Potluck Brunch

Sunday, July 21st – Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle

Sunday, July 28th – Worship led by Rev. Michael Lyle

Backyard Fencing Underway: Over the next few weeks, Andrew Potter and Lovettsville Troop 962 are building a wooden fence behind the Fellowship Hall along with two benches and raised flower beds along the side fence. They intend to be done before VBS. Wow. Community!!!

Inova Blood Drive Saturday, July 20^th: 9:30-2pm. Please see your email from Allison Harteis and follow the sign-up link.

Vacation Bible School! July 22^nd – July 26^th

See website for enrollment and volunteer information.

Adult EL Classes: Saturdays at 12 noon during August.

Free English Language classes are offered in the St. James Fellowship Hall. No registration required. If popular, classes will be offered indefinitely.

Lovettsville Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. Thank you, Tena Brass, for taking our donations.

Childcare is available during services in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to Greta and Katie for your gracious care!

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on May 24, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Gathering Music

For Meditation and Reflection:

Biblical “Sin” as Escalatory Violence
Genesis 4 is not simply about an original fratricide. It is about escalatory violence almost as a seductive inevitability. But, of course, it is also about a God who asserted that it was not inevitable and proclaimed that it could be overcome: “You will rule over it.” In other words, the normalcy of human civilization is not the inevitability of human nature. […] We humans are not natural born killers (if we were, would we suffer posttraumatic stress after battle?). The mark of Cain is on human civilization, not on human nature. Escalatory violence is our nemesis, not our nature; our avoidable decision, not our unavoidable destiny. It is our “original sin,” but could then – and can still – be overcome.
From How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian,
By John Dominic Crossan

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship: Psalm 67, hymnal page 663

Hymn: Awake, Awake to Love and Work #89

Gathering Prayer

Sharing of Joys and Sorrows

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Reading:

Acts 16:9-15

Revelation 21:10, 22:1-5

Sermon: Radical Disciplelship

Rev. M. Michael Morse

Responsive Sharing

The Offerings and Offertory Music

Sung Response: #785

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be

All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Hymn: O Holy City, Seen of John #613

Benediction

Passing the Peace

Music to Take the Light out into The World

We hope you will join us next door in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation.

Announcements

This Sunday, May 26^th: Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse

Next Sunday, June 2^nd:

11am – Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle

12:30pm – First Sunday Potluck in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, June 9^th: Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle

Sunday, June 16^th: Worship led by Rev. Mary Mason

Saturday June 22nd – Frederick Pride Festival

Have fun! Be a witness for love at St James’ booth! To volunteer, Call/text Lauranne: 703-346-3071

Remote Area Medical

We are collecting NEW socks and underwear, all sizes, for the Remote Area Medical event, in SW VA June 28-30. Dave Kirk and Bill Zenner will donate all we can collect! See gray tub in the breezeway.

Mobile Hope

This is the time of year when kids who have just turned 18, can find themselves homeless. Mobile Hope is collecting gently used duffle bags, plus toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toiletries. Donations can be left in the big basket on back pew in the sanctuary.

Vacation Bible School! July 22-July26:

Mark your calendar if you want to volunteer or have your children participate! Registration forms are available in the Fellowship Hall.

Childcare is available during services in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to Greta and Katie for your gracious care!

Lovettsville Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. Thank you, Tena Brass for taking our donations.

Statement of Faith: We gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.

Cover Photo: Stepping Stones, photographer unknown

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on April 26, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

Second Sunday of Easter

Gathering Music

For Meditation and Reflection:
During Holy Week, many of us sang and reflected upon the great hymn, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.” The wounds of grief, anguish, guilt, and death seemed overwhelming. Easter is the proclamation that these wounds shall not prevail, nor be victorious. Post Easter, we sing another hymn, same magnificent tune, same harmony by J.S. Bach, “We Yearn, O Christ for Wholeness.” This hymn was written by Dosia Carlson, inspired by Harold Wilkie – who was born without arms, and was the principal voice behind the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act. The work of healing, restoration, health care, and wholeness is the Easter message in action.
– Rev. M. Michael Morse

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship:
One:   Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
All:      Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
One:   Incline your ear, and come to me; listen so that you may live.
All:      For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty.
Isaiah 55

Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Rises” #238

Gathering Prayer (Pastor)

Sharing of Joys and Sorrows

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Readings: Mark 2:1-12
Sermon: Healing and Health Care

Reverend. M. Michael Morse

Hymn: “We Have the Strength to Lift and Bear” #178

Responsive Sharing

The Offerings and Offertory Music

Sung Response: #785

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be

All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Hymn: “We Yearn, O Christ, for Wholeness” #179

Benediction

Sharing the Peace as we go… And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation next door.

Thought for the Day/Week
Good news: Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, levels of anxiety, depression and stress. And research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age.

From “Forgiveness, Your Life Depends on It” at www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Announcements

This Sunday, Apr 28^th: Worship with Rev. M. Michael Morse

Next Sunday, May 5^th: 11am – Communion Worship with Rev. Samantha Tuttle; 12:15pm – First Sunday Potluck Brunch

Sunday, May 12^th: Worship led by Rev. Mike Lyle

Sunday, May 19^th: 9:30am – Council Meeting; 11am – Worship with Rev. Samantha Tuttle

Festivals: St James will have outreach booths at Mayfest (Sat 5/25) and Frederick Pride (Sat 6/22). Volunteers needed. Have fun! Demonstrate radical welcome! Call/text Lauranne: 703-346-3071

Fellowship Hall Update: Our new kitchen is almost complete – a new refrigerator is on the way! Thanks to Tena, Jessie, Lauranne and her sister, all the kitchen gear is put away in newly lined drawers and cabinets. Now, we just need a volunteer or two to line the old shelves – which are staying.

Meanwhile, the Sunday school room walls are up, thanks to Bud and Mike, with finishing work to be done soon.

Statement of Faith:

We gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on March 23, 2019. Posted in Bulletins.

Third Sunday in Lent

Gathering Music

For Meditation and Reflection:

We are living in the greatest revolution in history – a huge spontaneous upheaval of the entire human race: not a revolution planned and carried out by any particular party, race, or nation, but a deep elemental boiling over of all the inner contradictions that have ever been, a revelation of the chaotic forces inside everybody. This is not something we have chosen, nor is it something we are free to avoid. – Thomas Merton

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship:

All: We are gathered here with the truths of our story. Each contributes to the whole to make us the community of God. Let us hear, let us be open, let us give, receive, and share our love. Let us worship the Spirit of Creation.

Hymn: We Love Your Realm, O God #312

Gathering Prayer (Pastor)

Sharing of Joys and Sorrows

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; Luke 13:1-9

Sermon The Fig Tree: Time is Running Out

Rev. M. Michael Morse

Hymn: For the Healing of the Nations #576

Responsive Sharing

The Offerings and Offertory Music

Sung Response: #785

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be

All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Hymn: Isaiah the Prophet #108

Benediction (Pastor)

Sharing the Peace as we go… And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation next door.

Thought for the Day/Week

For Peace
Increase
the love, be love
and decrease thorny hate
Through pure equality be fate
OF PEACE
Cinqtaine by Mahtab Bangalee, 2018

Announcements

This Sunday, Mar 24^th: Worship with Rev. M. Michael Morse

Next Sunday, Mar 31^st: Worship with Rev. Samantha Tuttle

Sunday, April 7th: Worship led by Rev. Samantha Tuttle, followed by a First Sunday potluck, which will include informal, yet special poetry readings by Rev. Mike Lyle and others, from his newest book, The Everywhere of Light.

Sunday, Apr 14^th: Palm Sunday Worship with Rev. Mike Lyle

Fellowship Hall Update: Our renewal is nearly complete. Next week, the new granite countertops will be installed. Then, we need 2 or3 volunteers to put everything back into the new kitchen cabinets. Et Voila!

Childcare is now available during services in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you, Katie and Greta, for your gracious care!

Lovettsville Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food to church. Thanks to Tena for hauling it! .

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Written by St. James UCC on January 25, 2019. Posted in Bulletins, Uncategorized.

Third Sunday after Epiphany
11AM Worship led by Rev. M. Michael Morse
and Sea Raven on piano

For Meditation and Reflection:
Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.
~ Rigoberta Menchu

Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.
~ Theodore Roosevelt

Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
~ Blaise Pascal

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude: Imbolc 1997
~ a poem by Sea Raven to the tune of Une Jeune Peucelle

Call to Worship: Psalm 19 page #630
(Responsive reading, sung response)

Opening Hymn: God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens #556

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Written by St. James UCC on September 29, 2018. Posted in Bulletins.

Order of Worship on Sunday, September 30, 2018
Worship leaders: Rev. M. Michael Morse and Sea Raven, D.Min.

Prelude – Rockin’ UCC Part I (Sea Raven, piano)

Welcome, Announcements and Introduction (Lay leader)

Call to Worship

The Negro Speaks of Rivers
I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world
and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.

I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
–Langston Hughes, 1902 – 1967

Opening Hymn: #597 Shall We Gather at the River

Tag: Rev. M. Michael Morse

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Second Sunday of Easter

Announcements

Statement of Faith:

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Jessie Parsons

Mike Lyle

UCC Website