February 5, 2023

An Open & Affirming Congregation in the United Church of Christ Order of Worship for 2/5/2023 Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany ~ First Sunday of Black History Month Rev. Amelia Fulbright, Transitional Pastor Zoom link for Joys & Concerns: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2057847210 Prelude & Receiving the Light: Improvisation on “There is a balm” Welcome & Words for Centering *Hymn of Celebration: Black Hymnal #514 “Over My Head” *Invocation (Unsion) Sovereign God, we gather as a community to worship you in spirit and in truth. May we resist empty actions. Let our rituals and routines hold meaning and connect us to you. May seek an encounter with you to receive your revelation and be transformed, healed, and renewed. Let it be so. Amen. Listening To the Sacred Text: Isaiah 58:1-9a Listening for the Spirit in Silence: Word and words, O God. Help us to hear the One among the many. Reflecting: “Fasting From Whiteness” *Hymn of Reflection: Black Hymnal #85 “I Woke Up This Morning” Communion Invitation to the Table Prayer for Transformation & New Life (from UCC Racial Justice Resources, 2023) Leader: Sometimes our words and actions cause others to hurt. Assembly: God, it makes us sad when people hurt. Leader: Sometimes we don’t like to share what we have and cause others to miss out. Assembly: God, it makes us sad when people don’t have enough. Leader: Sometimes we think only about ourselves and don’t let others take a turn. Assembly: God, it makes us sad when people don’t get a turn. Leader: Sometimes we talk so much that others don’t get the chance to speak. Assembly: God, it makes us sad when people don’t get to speak. Leader: Sometimes we listen so little that others don’t feel heard. Assembly: God, it makes us sad when people don’t feel heard. Leader: Believing always in the grace of a loving God, we seek assurance for the times when we are not our best selves. People of God, hear the good news: God loves you even when you are not your best self. Many: God loves me even when I am not my best self. Leader: We all have times when our words have hurt, when we don’t share or let others take a turn, when we don’t make space for others to speak, or when we don’t listen. Many: I trust in God’s grace, and know I can be better and do better. Leader: God can help us be more kind, be more loving, be more concerned about others. Many: I am able to be more kind, more loving, and show more concern for others. Leader: No matter what, be assured of God’s love for you! Many: I know that God loves me! Leader: Having confessed when we have not been our best and trusting always in God’s love and grace, we will do our best: Many: To love ourselves, our bodies, our hearts. To honor our bodies and the bodies of others—even if they are different from ours. To love others like God loves others. To be kind, to speak up, to listen, and to be God’s love to the world. We will try our best to be and do better. Amen. Words of Institution Sharing the Meal Communion Music: Black Hymnal #314 “Great Spirit God” Offering invitation Offertory Music: Suite for violin and piano 2nd mvmt. William Grant Still *Doxology (Tune: All Creatures Of Our God and King) Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Alleluia, Alleluia. Praise God for all that love has done. Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication Announcements *Sending Song: Handout: 25a. Rise *Benediction Postlude: Suite for violin and Piano 1st mvmt. William Grant Still *Please rise as you are able, in body or in spirit. Leading In Today’s Service: Laura Martin, Director of Music Britt Hicks, Director of Online Ministries Jaime Hadley, Usher Radhika Hicks, Liturgist Jonathan Geer, Piano Amy Harris, Violin