Rainbow Mennonite Church

Order of Worship

APRIL 27, 2008

Worship – 9:30 a.m. Sunday School – 10:50 a.m.

 

PRELUDE Carol Buller, Accompanist

*CALL TO WORSHIP Ralph Kauffman, Worship Leader

HYMN #10    Sing the Journey Spirit, working in creation

L: At the divine call, the faithful move forward through the ages in an unbroken line.

C: We gather today in the presence of God and in communion with those who have gone before us and those who will come after.

L: We open our minds to learn about threats to the health of present and future generations and to the whole community of life.

C: We open our hearts to the message of hope that comes to us through Jesus Christ.

L: We reach out our hands to bring healing and change, for the sake of the children of the earth--past, present, and future.

C: And we raise our voices to join with the rest of creation in singing praise to God, whose steadfast love and faithfulness endures to all generations.

*INVOCATION

*HYMN #34 When the morning stars together

CHILDREN’S TIME Sallie Page-Goertz

SCRIPTURE     Genesis 1:1-2:3,  Luke 12:15-19

LITANY see insert

ANTHEM The Promise of Living Aaron Copland (see text on back of insert)

SERMON     "The Good Earth"

HYMN #159    All beautiful the march of days

COMMUNITY BUILDING TIME

Introductions and Announcements

We are glad you are here. Once the attendance register reaches the center aisle, please pass it back to the outer aisle.

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Offering

*HYMN #156 All things bright and beautiful
        Children in preschool-5th grade dismissed

*SENDING FORTH

L: Certainly God is raising up people even today to bring us through these difficult days.

C: Life-giving God, we offer ourselves in service to you, supported by a great cloud of witnesses who urge us on.

L:    We are connected to other people of faith and conscience around the world who are working for a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

C:    This global community supports us; we support each other. 

L:    We are related to the earth and all its creatures in a web that cannot be broken without injury to all.

C:    The earth and our fellow creatures support us; we are their advocates...

L: Therefore, let us lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, resisting all powers that destroy, bringing healing and hope to the world.

All:   O God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, we offer our lives in service to you. Amen.

BENEDICTION RESPONSE: #427 You shall go out with joy

*POSTLUDE

 

 

* Please stand as you are able.