WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CENTERING MUSIC

CALL TO WORSHIP  -

One: For joy, we clap our hands

And shout and sing our songs.

God creates all the lands;

Our best to God belongs.

People: For goodly heritage and grace,

That keep our lives in your embrace,

We thank you, God, within this place.

One: May we, with joy, go forth

With praises everywhere,

To east, west, south and north,

Our Creator to declare.

People: O God of nations, hear our prayer,

That we may in your goodness share

And show to all the world your care.

*HYMN   #626   As the Deer

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.

You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.

RESPONSIVE PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE:

One: The star of divine promise shines before us still.

People: Over a world of mute hopes, dim visions, dark fears, still the light shines.

One: in a world shrouded by darkness both tragic and willful,

People: Still we proclaim: our light has come.  The glory of God shines upon us.

One: For One born of God is born of our own flesh, and that One is light for our lives.

People: As we receive the light and let it shine through us, it rises as a beacon for a darkened world.

One; The people shall stream toward its promise; meek and mighty alike share in its dawning brightness.

People; Then all shall say: Arise!  The glory of God is upon us!

(Moment of Silence)

SONG OF RENEWAL       #155  Raise a Song of Gladness

Raise a song of Gladness, peoples of the earth.

Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

Truly God has blessed us with grace, love, and compassion.  We can go forth with confidence that we are loved into each and every day.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

ANTHEM -                               I Will Sing a Sunday Song                       Pepper Choplin                     

BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY

 This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

 

      Today’s  Story                           “The Boy Jesus at the Temple”
                                                         Kathleen Krentz & Curt Fujii

      Leader:                 And as we continue our worship…

      Congregation:       May God be with you there.

      Children:              May God be with you here.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader:      God in your Grace,

People:      Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you.  Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS - Psalm 139:13-18 and John 3:1-21

RESPONSE

Reader:      The Word of the Lord

People:      Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION,  from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor:       May the words of my mouth

People:      And the meditations of our hearts

All:            Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,

                  Our rock and our redeemer.  Amen.

SERMON      Relationship With God

MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION

*HYMN OF REFLECTION  #749     Come!  Live in the Light!

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God whose breath fills all the earth

Whose love reveals our sacred worth

Whose Spirit forms one family

Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Thank you God, not only for these gifts that you have entrusted to us, but also for the call on us to share it with others.  Thank you for calling us to be your people.  For this we are truly grateful!

Thanks be to God.  Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN        #614   Great Are You, Lord

Great are you, Lord: you are holy and just; by your power we trust in your love.

Great are you, Lord: you are faithful and true; by your mercy you prove you are love.

Great are you, Lord, and worthy of glory!  Great are you, Lord, and worthy of praise. 

Great are you, Lord.  We lift up our voice; we lift up our voice:

Great are you, Lord!  Great are you, Lord!

*POSTLUDE                                                 

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader:      The peace of Christ be with you.

People:      And with you also.

Leader:      Let us pass the peace of Christ.

People:      The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)