Today we celebrate Earth Day Sunday and hear the story of the resurrected Jesus meeting two disciples who are in grief and despair after the death of Jesus. But death doesn’t have the last word. God meets us in our grief and despair. We will meet with one another as we continue the journey of faith together.
Earth Day Sunday Worship Service Sunday, April 26, 2020 Prelude Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Adam Adam: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle… Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle… All: We pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our community, in our nation, and in our world. Scripture Readings Luke 24:28-35 *Call to Worship – Amira and Adam Amira: Please join us in the call to worship… Amira: In the resurrected Jesus, we discover that God does not abandon us or the earth, but comes to us in surprising ways. All: Like in strangers walking on a road. Amira: And God comes to us in many other ways. All: Like in nurses and doctors, in grocery store clerks, mail carriers, and sanitation workers. Amira: Where else might we see God’s presence? All: We see God’s presence in the earth and the sky, in the clouds and in sea, in bread and in wine, in all people, and especially whenever we seek to love our neighbors and the earth as we love our selves, there we find God. May our eyes and hearts be opened to recognizing the divine presence among us. Amen. Song: Blue Boat Home by Peter Mayer – Sung by Rhonda, Debbie, Jeff, and Dave Children’s Moment *Passing of the Peace – Amira Amira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another. Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen Giving Page Prayers of the People – Adam (After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”) Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Amira Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Prayer Song – Trust In You – Sung by Annalise Sermon – The Resurrected Jesus Still Loves the Earth - Adam *Unison Benediction – Amira May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace. This day and forever more. Amen -Numbers 6:24-26 **Upcoming 3-part FBook Live book discussion with Pastor Adam and author, Eric Law. Stay tuned for dates. Fear Not: Living Grace and Truth in a Frightened World