Worship Celebration
Worship Celebration
May 12, 2019 – Mother’s Day
Guiding Vision
“We are a diverse, Christ-centered people, learning together
and reaching out to serve the community in faith, hope, and love.”
*Please stand as you are able
We Open Ourselves to God and Each Other
Prelude “Be Thou My Vision” Lorenz
Welcome
*Call to Worship
One: Frayed and frazzled, our lives jangling
with tension and anxiety,
All: we gather to find that place of peace
which God offers to us.
One: Awash in worries and doubts,
drowning in a sea of fears,
All: we gather beside the still waters
where Jesus offers us a cup of grace.
One: Weakened by the burdens of life,
wandering as if lost in a wilderness,
All: we gather so the Spirit can restore our souls
and show us the path to the kingdom.
*Hymn “To God Be the Glory” #98
Call to Reconciliation
One: We have no time for rest, or to sit by calm oases of grace, or find the right paths to follow, and so we hurt people with our words and deeds, we turn away from the One who seeks to feed us with goodness and mercy. Let us come to our God, who longs to anoint us with forgiveness, as we offer our prayers, saying,
Prayer of Confession (unison)
God who shepherds us, you must wonder how long we will continue to live the way we do. We snatch hope out of the grasp of those who need it most. Our acts of kindness are offered only to those we think to be deserving of our generosity. We gather around to watch endless reality shows, while those whose real lives are filled with struggle and loss are ignored.
Yet you refuse to keep forgiveness a mystery, Gracious God, but offer it to us without any hesitation. You gather us in the green pastures of mercy, so we might find hope; you offer us a drink of the living waters so we might become still enough to listen to your heart; you send the Spirit to take us by the hand to lead us on the paths of justice; the goodness and mercy of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, follow us all the days as we seek to be faithful in our calling to serve him. Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
One: Hear the good news: God will lead us into places of hope; God will give us the waters of life to strengthen us; God will be with us in every moment, in every place of our lives.
All: Anointed with grace, fed with joy and wonder, we offer blessing and thanksgiving to the One who forgives us now and forever. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*Passing the Peace
We invite the congregation to openly greet one another. Show a smile, shake a hand, and give a hug. Let’s share God’s love with one another. During the singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” please find your way back to your seat as we continue fellowship.
*Song of Response (sung on the way back to our seats)
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds”
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Moment as Children
Anthem “Awaken My Heart” Marshall
Prayer of Illumination
One: O Wisdom Divine,
just as you inspired the mothers of our faith
grant us your knowledge and discernment
so that we can learn how to be
clever in our compassion
and courageous in our faith,
through Christ and in the Spirit. Amen.
Scripture Reading Exodus 1: 15-22, pew Bible p. 43
One: Here ends the reading
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon “How Women Changed the World” Reverend Jacques Conway
We Respond to God’s Call
*Hymn “The Gift of Love” #408
Invitation to the Offering
You can now give to UCHP electronically 2 ways!
-Text 773-366-8247 the amount you would like to give and follow next steps.
-Visit the website http://uchpchicago.com and click on “Giving”
Offertory “Blessed Are Ye Faithful Souls” Brahms
*Doxology
“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” # 95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Congregants are invited to share requests for prayer.
After each the pastor will offer:
Pastor: Come Holy Spirit—
And the people respond:
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (read together)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.
*Closing Hymn “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name” #663
*Benediction
Postlude
In Worship Today
Pastor: Rev. Charlene Hill
Guest Minister: Reverend Jacques Conway, Northern
Illinois Conference, Chicago Southern District Superintendent
Director of Music – Organist: Joe Wilkinson
Liturgist: Barrett Mills
Scripture Reading, Exodus (pew Bible p. 43)
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. 18 So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20 So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews[a] you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.”