Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
(download the bulletin as a PDF)

MAY 12 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP *
One: We gather together to worship our loving, nurturing God, 
All: who, like a mother, knows us intimately, loves us unconditionally, teaches us the way we should go, and comforts us in times of need.
One: Praise God, the Source and Sustainer of life!

OPENING SONG *
“God of Grace and God of Glory”
God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.

Cure thy children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss thy righteous goal,
lest we miss thy righteous goal.

Set our feet on lofty places;
fill our lives that we may be
strengthened with all Christ-like graces
pledges to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we fail our call from thee,
lest we fail our call from thee.

CALL TO CONFESSION *

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
All: Loving God, we realize that we have not made our homes the dwelling place for your love that we would like. Too often, we act like individuals who happen to share the same building, rather than family members who care for one another. Help us to renew our commitments to the welfare and development of our family members whether they are with us or apart. Help us to communicate openly with one another and speak of and show our love to others.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: God says to us: You are my chosen ones. I love you. I am proud of you. Stand firm in your renewed commitment. Know that I have forgiven you; I call you by name; you are mine. I have entered into covenant with you and will stand by you in all times and all places. Dare to live fully the life to which I have called you. 
All: In Jesus Christ we are all forgiven!

GLORIA *
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.  

PASSING THE PEACE *

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG

SCRIPTURE (Acts 1:15–17, 21–26)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: Our gracious, eternal God, Like the early disciples help us in our common life to find your guidance especially in challenging times.
All: Help us to approach our decisions seeking your guidance through prayer.
One: Help us to examine our own hearts for any unseemly motives. 
All: Help us to focus on the common good and not be driven by our own selfish interests.
One: Help us to seek consensus and never be satisfied with power plays and divisiveness. 
All: Help us all to share in our mutual ministry.
One: Lead us forward and help us to create a community where love, acceptance, and mutuality are expressed, where joy abounds, and where results are achieved because we are all working hand in hand together. 
All: Send us forth to herald the good news of Jesus, to be your servants to those in need, to visit the sick and the imprisoned, to remember the forgotten in our society, and to work for justice and peace. 
One: Use our varied gifts so that as Peter suggested we all might do our fair share in this ministry. Bolster us in moments when we feel inadequate for the task and give us courage.
All: Gracious God, today we especially thank you for mothers.
One: For their care and nurture, for love and support,
All: wisdom and sacrificial giving. For tears and smiles,
One: encouragement and correction. Thank you that in such love we see a reflection of you own love for us.
All: Fill us a fresh with your Holy Spirit that we may know your great love and truth.
One: Anoint us with your spirit’s power that we may witness to you and serve you and love your people and world. We ask this your son’s name praying the prayer he taught us, with an additional piece in honor of God our Mother.

LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father
Our Mother
Who art in heaven
Who are in all the earth
Hallowed by they name
Holy is your truth
Thy kingdom come
May your wisdom come
Thy will be done, on earth
Your circle be one uniting
as it is in heaven
heaven and earth
Give us this day our daily bread
Give us today a nurturing spirit
And forgive us our trespasses
Heal through us as we
as we forgive those who trespass against us
ourselves are healed
Lead us not into temptation
Lead us into Fullness of life
But deliver us from evil
And liberate all that is good
For thine is the Kingdom,
For the Wisdom,
the power and the glory
Presence and the Goodness are Yours
Now and forever, Amen.

CLOSING SONG *
“Now Thank We All Our God”
Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom the world rejoices,
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever-joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us full of grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
our Father and our Mother,
to Christ and to the One
who binds us to each other,
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore,
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

CLOSING MESSAGE *

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit