Midweek Worship: April 1 2020
Light a Candle
Lighting a candle helps us to take an ordinary space and set it aside for a holy purpose. It reminds us of the light of Christ, coming among us.
You can use a wax candle, an LED candle, or even a flashlight.
Place a bowl of Water
Water reminds us of our baptism. Having water in front of us during worship reminds us that we are beloved children of God.
Ring the Singing Bowl
In worship, we ring a singing bowl to remind us of God's presence and to help us to take a moment to fully arrive and be present to worship.
To ring the bowl, play the video below.
Lighting a candle helps us to take an ordinary space and set it aside for a holy purpose. It reminds us of the light of Christ, coming among us.
You can use a wax candle, an LED candle, or even a flashlight.
Place a bowl of Water
Water reminds us of our baptism. Having water in front of us during worship reminds us that we are beloved children of God.
Ring the Singing Bowl
In worship, we ring a singing bowl to remind us of God's presence and to help us to take a moment to fully arrive and be present to worship.
To ring the bowl, play the video below.
Prelude
Beneath the Cross of Jesus ~ arr. Erik Kihss
Call to Worship
The God of healing, hope, and wholeness be with you all.
And also with you.
The Son of righteousness fill you with hope and peace.
May it be the same for our neighbors and friends.
The Spirit of holiness and resurrection stir within you.
May the wind that brought forth creation from chaos continue to do so.
And also with you.
The Son of righteousness fill you with hope and peace.
May it be the same for our neighbors and friends.
The Spirit of holiness and resurrection stir within you.
May the wind that brought forth creation from chaos continue to do so.
Prayer
Holy God of all creation, every breeze, tide, and tectonic shift is known to you. All times and places are held within your infinite expanse of grace. Guide us in your mercy to perceive our place of rest in your faithfulness, which you have revealed to all through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. To him, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Reading
Ezekiel 37:1-14The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”
Hymn
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Litany for Reflection and Healing: Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all God’s benefits
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases;
who redeems your life from the grave
and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy;
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
O Lord, you provide vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
You made known your ways to Moses
and your works to the children of Israel.
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;
you will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger forever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is your steadfast love for those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so you have compassion for those who fear you, O Lord.
For you know well how we are formed;
you remember that we are but dust.
As for mortals, their days are like the grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind passes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
But your steadfast love, O Lord, is forever with those who fear you,
and your righteousness is for the children’s children;
for those who keep your covenant
and remember to do your commandments.
The Lord’s throne is established in heaven;
God’s dominion rules over all.
Bless the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who do God’s bidding,
who obey the voice of God’s word.
Bless the Lord, all you hosts of God,
you servants who do God’s will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of God, in all places where God rules;
bless the Lord, O my soul.
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all God’s benefits
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases;
who redeems your life from the grave
and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy;
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
O Lord, you provide vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
You made known your ways to Moses
and your works to the children of Israel.
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;
you will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger forever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is your steadfast love for those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so you have compassion for those who fear you, O Lord.
For you know well how we are formed;
you remember that we are but dust.
As for mortals, their days are like the grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind passes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
But your steadfast love, O Lord, is forever with those who fear you,
and your righteousness is for the children’s children;
for those who keep your covenant
and remember to do your commandments.
The Lord’s throne is established in heaven;
God’s dominion rules over all.
Bless the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who do God’s bidding,
who obey the voice of God’s word.
Bless the Lord, all you hosts of God,
you servants who do God’s will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of God, in all places where God rules;
bless the Lord, O my soul.
Silence for Reflection
We are now entering a time of silence. For some of us, this stillness is welcome and invited. For others, the quiet is disruptive or unsettling. There is no one right way to do this. As your thoughts come, ask God to hold them for you. While we are here together, there is nowhere else you need to be. Consider the pioneer of our faith, Jesus, sitting with you in silence. Settle into the rest of this time and allow it to settle into you.
When your meditiation is complete, ring the bell below
When your meditiation is complete, ring the bell below
Prayers of Intercession
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus,
and especially for all who are suffering or are in any affliction.
Merciful God, you sent your Son to be our peace.
Help all those who suffer any pain or grief, hopelessness or anxiety.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Mighty God,
mercifully grant strength to the weak
and comfort to those who suffer,
that their sickness and pain may be turned into health.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
God of peace and reconciliation,
bring an end to the sickness of the world,
especially violence, terrorism, war, and their causes.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Holy God, Holy One,
your Son prayed that your people may be one.
May the gift of baptism be a power
for healing the church’s brokenness,
and bless all efforts for renewal and Christian unity.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Loving God,
mend broken relationships and bring peace
to our families, our congregation, this community, and the world.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Eternal God, we thank you for all the faithful departed
Heal the pain of all who grieve.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
O God, we bring these intercessions before you,
knowing that you will hear us as you have promised,
and will answer according to the mercy
shown in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
and especially for all who are suffering or are in any affliction.
Merciful God, you sent your Son to be our peace.
Help all those who suffer any pain or grief, hopelessness or anxiety.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Mighty God,
mercifully grant strength to the weak
and comfort to those who suffer,
that their sickness and pain may be turned into health.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
God of peace and reconciliation,
bring an end to the sickness of the world,
especially violence, terrorism, war, and their causes.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Holy God, Holy One,
your Son prayed that your people may be one.
May the gift of baptism be a power
for healing the church’s brokenness,
and bless all efforts for renewal and Christian unity.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Loving God,
mend broken relationships and bring peace
to our families, our congregation, this community, and the world.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
Eternal God, we thank you for all the faithful departed
Heal the pain of all who grieve.
Healing God, hear our prayer.
In your mercy, answer us.
O God, we bring these intercessions before you,
knowing that you will hear us as you have promised,
and will answer according to the mercy
shown in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Offering
We very much appreciate your continued giving and generosity at this time. Checks may be mailed to the church.
Vicki or Pastor Erica are checking the mail every morning, so your offerings will be secure
Vicki or Pastor Erica are checking the mail every morning, so your offerings will be secure
Lord's Prayer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
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.
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
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.
Blessing
Almighty God, who is a strong tower to all,
to whom all things in heaven and on earth bow and obey,
be now and evermore your sure defense,
and help you to know that the name given to us for health and salvation
is the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
to whom all things in heaven and on earth bow and obey,
be now and evermore your sure defense,
and help you to know that the name given to us for health and salvation
is the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Song
Healer of Our Every Ill
Dismissal
Go in peace. The Spirit of healing goes with you.
Thanks be to God.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Healer of Our Every Ill