March 31, 2019 ~ 10:30am
Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Doug Bowen-Bailey, ASL Interpreter
Betty Greene, Lay Leader
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Gary Boelhower, Guest Preacher
Rev. Sara Olson Dean
Prelude sung by Autumn Santovi
Greeting One Another
Announcements
Ringing of the Peace Bells and Candles Lit by Acolytes
God is Revealed as We Gather
Choral Call to Worship “Come All You People” (#39 P&W Songbook)
*Responsive Call to Worship by Gary Boelhower
We are called to be ministers of reconciliation.
Give us the courage, O Holy One, to seek peace and wholeness within ourselves, with each other and within our society.
We are called to welcome all to the table of belonging and community.
Give us the courage, O Holy One, to extend radical welcome and seek ways to connect with others across differences and divisions.
We are called to love with unconditional acceptance and compassion.
Give us the courage, O Holy One, to see the precious
and sacred humanity of all our sisters and brothers and
to acknowledge the unique story of each person.
*Opening Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (#43)
Unison Prayer of Confession
Holy God, you call us to be ministers of reconciliation but often we create division and discord. We insist on our own way rather than opening our heart to listen to the stories and perspectives of others. We flee from difficult conversations when the hard work of dialogue across difference is happening. We stay silent in the face of racism and sexism and ageism. We refuse to see the ways in which we support structures of inequality and marginalization.
O Holy One, open our ears to the cries of the poor and oppressed, and open our hearts to feel the hurt of those who are treated unjustly. Breathe into us the life of your spirit that we might seek justice and peace for all our human family. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Story for All Ages Kelli Farell, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
God is Revealed in the Word
God’s Word in the Hebrew Scriptures: Joshua 5:9-12
Anthem “All Flesh is Grass” (see insert)
God’s Word in the Gospel & the Epistles: Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Sermon “The Ministry of Reconciliation”
Hymn “I Will” (#7 P&W Songbook)
We Respond to God’s Presence
Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer by Nathan Holst, the Lord’s Prayer (with debts), Choral Amen
Mission Moment “One Great Hour of Sharing”
Sharing our Offerings
Offertory
*The Thanksgiving
Hope in the God who reigns above, Who holds us all in steadfast love, Whose Spirit blows across the earth,
Preparing us for second birth.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, we have listened to your word and feasted on your wisdom. May our lives and our gifts be dedicated to reconciliation, to heal the wounds of division, to recognize that all persons are precious and sacred, and to work for just systems and structures that treat all with dignity and respect. Amen.
*Closing Hymn “My Life Flows on in Endless Song” (#476)
*Benediction
*Postlude