20180902 bulletin
A Thought for Reflection
“If the scandal of Jesus was that He was always touching the wrong people and inviting the wrong people to the table—how on earth can we think the Communion meal now is for the extra holy or the super spiritual?
—Jonathan Martin
GOD GATHERS US
Prelude
Greetings and Announcements
Passing of the Peace
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
(We invite you to turn to your neighbors and greet them.)
*Hymn of Praise
Call to Worship
Leader: God says, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”
People: “Come, you who have no money. Come, buy, and eat!”
Leader: We have come to feast on the living bread, that we might minister
to the world’s hungers.
People: We have come to drink from the waters of life, that we might minister to the world’s thirst.
All: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Let us worship God, the source of every blessing. Amen.
Prayer of Invocation and Lord’s Prayer
(You can find several printed versions of the Lord’s Prayer on the prayer card in your pew rack.)
*Sentences of Praise
Leader: Rejoice in our God always!
People: Again I say rejoice!
*Gloria (Sing twice.) NCH 756
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
God of creation, we celebrate your presence in the wonders of the world and give you thanks for our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world. Forgive us for times we have turned away from you and our neighbors. We confess that we have not always appreciated our resources or used them to make this world a place of peace and love. Touch our hearts with your love so that we may sing your praises every day of our lives. Amen
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Response From NCH 286
Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.
GOD MEETS US IN THE WORD
The Scripture Lessons
Communion Meditation
Call to Prayer NCH 774
Shepherd, lead, lead me in your righteousness,
Make your way plain before my face.
For it is you, God, you God only,
Who makes me to lie down in safety.
Celebrations and Concerns
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and Petition
GOD CALLS FOR OUR GIFTS
Our Offering to God
Offertory
* Doxology (Lasst uns erfreuen) NCH 17
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia, Alleluia. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
* Prayer of Dedication
GOD CALLS US TO THE TABLE
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn of Communion
The Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Consecration
The Giving of the Bread and the Cup at the Table
The Thanksgiving (in unison)
We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD
*Hymn of Dedication
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
(Please feel free to remain and listen, or to greet one another at coffee hour.)
Coming Up at Edwards Church
Autumn Gardening and Gathering
Saturday, September 8 Gardening at 2:00pm, Snacks and tea at 4:00pm Join members of Edwards Church, Open Spirit, and the local community as we welcome in the autumn season with gardening and celebration of the courage and beauty all around and within us. As the Green Team participates in an International Climate Day of Action, […]
Blessing of the Animals
This year our annual outdoor service and Blessing of the Animals will be on Sunday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. in front of Edwards Hall, in and around our Edible Forest Garden. The service will center on our ministry of “Caring for the Web of Creation.” We will honor Open Spirit Intern Sofia Wolman for […]
Sandwiches, Sides and Juice Boxes Needed
Pick up a tag on September 9 and 16 Please help us prepare 60 bag lunches to bring to Worcester Fellowship outdoor church on Sunday, September 23. At coffee hour in the weeks before, there will be tags you can take to divide up the needed supplies. If you miss picking up a tag, but […]
Trip to Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, September 23 after worship The Board of Wider Mission is sponsoring an outing to Worcester Fellowship outdoor church to deliver lunches and worship with this congregation. We will leave shortly after worship here and be back in Framingham by 3:00 p.m. The group will help set up and distribute lunch, participate in the outdoor […]
Gathering of Friends Brunch
Sunday, September 16 at 11:30am If you are new to Edwards Church, if you have been coming awhile and would like to get more involved, or if you are a long-time member who wants to make new friends, then this brunch is for you! We will gather after coffee hour for brunch in Susan P. Dickerman […]
Seeds of Grace This Fall
Our Seeds of Grace evening worship services continue, with a new schedule and a new leadership model. On the third Sunday of each month, we will gather in Sue Dickerman Hall for a relaxed, creative, participatory worship service, led by Rev. Isaac Everett and members of the Seeds of Grace Worship Team. It’s a great […]