May 4, 2025
GATHERING MUSIC Hope Tuin
WELCOME David Bribach
A TIME FOR CHILDREN David Wintermute
CALL TO WORSHIP Theda Stone
(Adapted from a prayer by Rev. Christopher Ponnuraj)
One: We gather, newly aware of Spirit’s presence,
All: a bit weary from the work of this time,
One: inspired by the commitments we share,
All: and reminded of our common purpose as spirit people.
One: We hear Spirit speaking in languages we know and understand,
All: and in the diversity of voices used to call for justice and love and inclusion and hope.
One: May Spirit open our senses, our hearts, and our minds, that we may live and love
All: as those guided by Divine Love. May it be so.
OPENING PRAYER Theda Stone
OPENING HYMN “As We Gather At Your Table” #314
PASSING OF THE PEACE Ethan Font
READING from “Puzzles” by Anne Lamott Barb Lehman
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Breathe On Me, Breath of God” #220
SCRIPTURE Acts 9:1-19 Barb Lehman
INTERACTING WITH THE WORD “Complicated Change” Reverend Shelly Wilson
INTERLUDE A time of silent reflection
HOLY COMMUNION David Bribach
(At this church, ALL are welcome to participate in Communion! This means you. 😊)
One: The Spirit of Love be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
One: Open your hearts to the One who invites you.
ALL: Our hearts are open to God.
One: Let us give thanks and praise to the Holy One.
ALL: We offer our thanks to God!
One: Our sibling Jesus, on his last night on Earth, gathered with his friends as the shadows lengthened and took bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat, remember, and be strengthened as you share this meal together. When the supper was over, he took a cup of wine and passed it to them all, saying, “Take and drink. This is the cup of suffering and the cup of blessing. When we say Yes to radically inclusive love, we will taste them both, the bitter and the sweet. And so, in remembrance of Christ with us, and with the hope that we too might pursue love so relentlessly, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
ALL: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
(All are invited to come to the table, to light a candle as an act of silent prayer, and to receive Communion.)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (unison)
Holy God, Divine Designer-With gentle compassion, you unite us as vine and branches, whether near or far. For your meal we share our gratitude. With thanksgiving we voice our joy for our siblings in faith who shared the table with the Christ and with us. Our souls are rejuvenated with your Holy Refreshment. Send us into the world today with joy in our hearts and excited to proclaim your radical love in this world. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING Ethan Font
(We invite you to place your gift in the offering plate or place your hand over the plate to bless the gifts)
OFFERING
DOXOLOGY (please rise as able in body or spirit and sing the doxology) #46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ and Spirit, One. Amen
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING Ethan Font
PARTING SONG “Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak” #356
ANNOUNCEMENTS Cindy Halsey
Stephanie Font is presenting a class about our new policy and procedure regarding Safety of Minors and Dependants. Please plan on attending; 11:15 AM to noon.
May 8, Thursday, 1-3 PM. Calling all crafters! Bring your crafts or let Sue Garrett know if you would like to learn how to knit.
May 11 is Sunday School and Mother’s Day.
Saturday, May 17 from 8 AM to 11AM we are having an outdoor clean up morning to get ready for the summer.
May 18, 1-3 PM is the Stable Strides 2nd Annual “Stride for Wellness” 5K & 3K Fun Run at Bear Creek Regional Park. See Kat Snyder for details.
May 21, Wednesday is the next men’s get together at 6:30 PM.
BENEDICTION David Bribach
POSTLUDE Hope Tuin
Welcome Guests and Visitors!
We invite you to wear a name tag and complete a visitor card; (both found in the Narthex) and drop it in the offering plate so we can send you weekly emails and call if desired. We invite everyone to join us for coffee, treats and fellowship before worship in the foyer.
References to God in traditional prayers, readings, and hymns in our worship may sometimes be gender specific. As we pray and sing together, you are invited to substitute terms that reflect your understanding of the full inclusiveness of the spirit of God.
We acknowledge that the land on which this church stands is the homeland and unceded territory of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne). We acknowledge this indigenous community who stewarded this land throughout the generations and pay respect to their elders past and present.
Ministry Team: Board Members:
Reverend Dr. Shelly Wilson Brad Carroll, Buildings & Grounds
Levi Murray, M.Th. Sue Garrett, Secretary, Safety Team Chair
Leslie Sheley, Ministry Coordinator Cindy Halsey, Treasurer
Hope Tuin, Accompanist Shelley Levi, Greeter Team Chair
Sharon Radspinner, Worship Volunteer Chair
Lisa Snyder, Board Chair, Asst Treasurer
Steve Sorensen, IT