DUC

CALL TO WORSHIP:
The Holy One is here. God's Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to offer thanks and praise .

OPENING PRAYER (in unison)

Blessed are you, gracious God, Creator of light, Giver of all life, Source of love.
You guide the sun, cradle the moon, and toss the stars.
At your word the earth was made and spun on its course among the planets. You breathe life into us and set us among all your creatures, in a covenant of love and service. Even when we turn away from you, you do not forsake us. You send your prophets to proclaim your justice, to remind us of your promise of peace, and to call us back to you.
Amen.

We continue to pray with the words that Jesus taught us to pray, singing together: THE LORD'S PRAYER (V.U. 960)

SERVICE OF LIGHTING THE CANDLE:
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Jesus is our friend who loves us always.

WE HEAR GOD'S LOVING WORD FOR US

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, we praise you for your love revealed to us in Jesus, who walks with us, our Wisdom and our Way, sharing our joy and sorrow, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and setting the captive free. So it is that we join the song of all creation to proclaim your goodness. Amen.

EPISTLE READING: 2 Corinthians 6: 1-12
This is the witness of the Apostle Paul.
Thanks be to God.

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Mark 4: 35 - 41

This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God.

HYMN: "Be Still, My Soul" V.U. 652

MESSAGE: "Following Jesus Through the Storms of Life"

RESPONSE : "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying"

V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace.

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION

PASTORAL PRAYER:

OFFERING INVITATION: At this time, let us share with God our gifts of time, talent, and treasure, giving thanks for the many ways in which we have been blessed.

OFFERTORY RESPONSE: Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully. V.U. 540

OFFERTORY PRAYER: Let these gifts, O God, spread your wisdom through the teachings of Jesus and your love through the help we give to each other, our community, and wider world. Amen.

HYMN: "Let Us Break Bread Together" V.U. 480

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

HYMN: "Let Us Break Bread Together" V.U. 480
(the elements are uncovered)
PRAYER : May God be with us. God is here among us. Let us open our hearts to God. We open them to God and to one another. Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise
ALL: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Glenn Baskerville: Why do we eat bread at this table?
Rev. Larry Schneider: We gather at this table to remember that on the night before he died, Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
"Take, eat. This is my body, given for you.
Each time you do this, remember me."
(the bread is broken)
Glenn : Why do we drink from the cup at this table?
Rev. Larry: That same night, Jesus also took a cup, and after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
"Drink. This cup, poured out for you, is the promise of God. Whenever you drink it, remember me."
(the cup is poured)

Glenn: What do we remember at this table?
Rev. Larry : We remember Jesus' death and celebrate his resurrection; we await with hope his coming again to bring peace and justice to the earth; and we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
ALL: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
For whom do we pray at this table? We pray for God's world . . . .
PRAYER: Rev. Larry

The elements are served.

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION: Rev. Larry
May God be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift our hearts in prayer.
It is good to give God thanks and praise. Amen.

HYMN: " Though I May Speak" V.U. 372

COMMISSIONING: Return to the world in which we live, giving thanks to God for your many blessings, and sharing those blessings with your neighbour, all for the of God. Amen.

POSTLUDE: (A time to quietly reflect on all that you have experienced this morning)
LicenSing #620168