Order of Worship
July 20th, 2025
Thank you to Joyce Carpenter Henderson for planting the beautiful perennials under the sign.
10:00 AM
*If you are able, please stand.
Prelude: “O God Beyond All Praising” Robert Buckley Farlee
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
“To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.”
Introit: “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” Isaac Watts/John Dykes
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: We come to our sanctuary to let go of the ways of the world.
People: Come and turn aside the temptation to do the things that are only done in the shadows.
Leader: We come to embrace what God offers us.
People: May we find God’s presence and unconditional love here and may we carry God’s love into our world.
Leader: Come and find refuge and the way to live through Christ’s example.
People: Let us worship God together as one.
*GATHERING HYMN: “The Church’s One Foundation” # 272
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Each Sunday and everyday, we come to you O God. In the presence of our sisters and brothers, help us look honestly at our lives and see what you want us to be. Help us perceive and evaluate what we need to change in ourselves so that we may better serve you. As we open ourselves to your healing presence, fill us with the Spirit of your love and wholeness. Amen.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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
STATEMENT OF FAITH: We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “Sister, Let Me Be Your Servant” #490
WORD OF GOD: Colossians 1: 15-28 (Pew Bible p. 1026)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
21 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, 23 provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a minister of this gospel.
24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25 I became its minister according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Sermon Title: “ Every Creature Under Heaven” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer:
Gracious God,
Give us spiritual insight and understanding, so that we may see things from your point of view.
May all that we do bear fruit for Your realm, and may we come to know and love You more each day.
Strengthen us with Your power so that we will be able to endure whatever comes our way.
May we find joy in knowing You are with us even in our darkest times.
Thank you for rescuing us from the power of darkness.
Bring us into the glorious light of eternal Creation. Amen.
Choral Response: “For Each Life We Thank You” H. Glen Lanier/Amos Pilsbury
CALL TO GIVING: We heard Paul tell us how to be faithful Christians. May we offer you now our very selves: our energy, our resources, and our time. Help us reach the vulnerable; and enable this church to be a place of refuge, help, justice, love, and hospitality.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “It Is Well with My Soul” Arr. Faye Lopez
Doxology: (Tune: Old Hundredth) #46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison) Most loving God, and welcoming God, we bring these gifts to you, knowing that you will use them according to your purposes. We dedicate ourselves to your way, to challenge the worldly values that are so prevalent in your world today. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” #248
Benediction: Live in the way of God. Challenge injustice. Share what you have heard, so that we may transform the world into the beloved community of God. Go with God’s strength and the love God offers us through Jesus Christ, our constant companion. Amen.
Postlude: “When Love Is Found” Emma Lou Diemer