Bulletin

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

SEPTEMBER 13 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come aboard, everyone!
All: We are ready for the journey.
One: There is room for young and old, for longtime members and first-time guests.
All: There is room for everyone in God’s family.
One: God calls us to learn, to grow, to serve, and to care for one another.
All: We will climb aboard and see where God is leading us!
One: Come, let us worship the God who makes a way through the waters and promises never to leave us.
All: Let us worship our faithful God together!

OPENING SONG *
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (#86)
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

CALL TO CONFESSION *

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
One: Gracious God, you call us to climb aboard, to trust your guidance, and to journey together.
All: Yet too often we miss the boat. We become so focused on ourselves that we fail to notice those who are left behind. We resist your call when it asks us to change. We hold tightly to what is comfortable rather than trusting where you are leading us. We forget that we are part of one human family and that all creation is entrusted to our care.
One: Forgive us, O God. Open our hearts to your call. Teach us to make room for others. Give us courage to step aboard when you invite us into something new.
All: Help us become a community where everyone has a place, where everyone is valued, and where together we can follow you into the future you are preparing for us.ht.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

One: Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: The good news is that God does not call us to this work alone. God's grace meets us in our failures. God's Spirit gives us courage when we are afraid. And Christ continually calls us back to the way of love.
All: We are forgiven. We are renewed. We are free to begin again. Thanks be to God. Amen.

GLORIA *
“Glory to God”
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
“God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale”

SCRIPTURE (Genesis 6:5–22; 8:6–12; 9:8–17)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: Gracious God, you call us together from many places and many walks of life, and you make us one community of faith.
All: As we begin this new season, open our hearts to new possibilities. Give us courage to climb aboard when you call,  curiosity to keep learning, joy in being together, and compassion for those who may feel left out or forgotten.
One: Help us remember that there is room for everyone in your love and work for everyone in your mission.
All: Bless our children, our youth, our families, our teachers, our leaders, and all who make the life of this congregation possible.
One: Guide us on the journey ahead. May we never miss the opportunities you place before us. When the waters rise,
All: God is with us.
One: When we don't know what comes next,
All: God is with us.
One: When the journey is long,
All: God is with us.
One: When we need one another,
All: God brings us together.
One: And when we see the rainbow,
All: We remember God's promises.
One: We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying…

LORD’S PRAYER
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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. Amen.

CLOSING SONG *
“Ours the Journey” (#458)
In the midst of new dimensions,
in the face of changing ways,
who will lead the pilgrim peoples
wandering their sep’rate ways?

Refrain: God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and evermore.

Through the flood of starving peoples,
warring factions and despair,
who will lift the olive branches?
Who will light the flame of care? [Refrain]

Though we reach the highest heavens,
holding worlds at your command,
we are yet a desert people
searching for the promised land. [Refrain]

Should the threats of dire predictions
cause us to withdraw in pain,
may your blazing phoenix spirit
resurrect the church again. [Refrain]

CLOSING MESSAGE *
One: As you leave this place, remember: there is room for you on God's boat.
All: We will climb aboard!
One: There is work for you to do.
All: We will do our part!
One: There are people who need your welcome.
All: We will make room!
One: There are storms we will face together.
All: We will not face them alone!
One: And there is a God who promises to journey with us.
All: We will trust God's promise!
One: So go into this new season with open hearts, willing hands, and joyful spirits.
All: Don't miss the boat!  

POSTLUDE


*Rise in body or spirit