PAUSE FOR REFLECTION | Bertrand Russell
“Extreme hopes are born of extreme misery.”
CALL TO WORSHIP |
God of Hope, we enter this holy space with confidence that you are with us.
Where there is sadness, bring joy; Where there is tiredness, bring refreshment; Where there is despair, bring a renewed sense of hope.
Let this sacred space be a sanctuary, a safe haven for all, not just the few..
Let this sacred space be a home for holy words and songs and prayers as we devote ourselves to you. Together, we join our hearts and spirits in worship.
OPENING HYMN | “Gather Us In”
MINUTE FOR MISSION | Oregon Wildfires 2020: Impact and Consequences, Kathy Huddleston
There are so many exciting ways that God is working through each of us and in this community. As we consider our receiving and our giving to the works of ministry in this place and in the world, may we remember that we belong to God.
Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are for offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
HEBREW READING | Jeremiah 29:10-14
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
THEME READING | Michael Ben Zehabe Song of Songs – The Book for Daughters
“No ancient Jew was ever promised, or expected, a heavenly life. That was a wild and outrageous teaching of Jesus. Holy text never offers a heavenly hope–before Jesus. Think about it: No matter how faithful Adam would have been, he could never graduate to heaven. Going to heaven was a ‘Jesus teaching.’ It simply does not exist in Torah.”
SERMON | “Dum Spiro, Spero ” by Rev. Don Ludwig
SPECIAL MUSIC | You’ll Never Walk Alone / Climb Ev’ry Mountain by Oregon Chorale
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
- Donna Bekooy’s sister continues hospice care in Chicago.
- Wally Carey’s daughter would like to ask for prayers. Please pray for a gentle, calm, loving passing of Cindy Brusie. She is a dear friend of Jennifer’s.
- Karen Wittenburg has moved and continues cancer treatments.
- Bert Schmidt continues treatment. Please keep him and Sue Chandler, daughter, in prayer.
CORPORATE PRAYER | “The New Zealand Lord’s Prayer”
Eternal Spirit, Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be. Father and Mother of us all. Loving God, in whom is heaven. The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, Now and forever. Amen.
