Call to Worship – “Blessing of the Morning Light”

by David Whyte. Offered by Rev. Talia RaymondThe blessing of the morning light to you,
May it find you even in your invisible
appearances, may you be seen to have risen
from some other place you know and have known
In the darkness and that that carries all you need.
May you see what is hidden in you as a place
of hospitality and shadowed shelter,
may what is hidden in you become your gift
to give, may you hold that shadow to the light
And the silence of that shelter to the word
Of the light, may you join all of your previous
disappearances with this new appearance,
This new morning, this being seen again,
New and newly alive.

Opening song – Simple Gifts

Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free,
‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight
‘Til by turning, turning, we come round right.

RESPONSIVE PRAYER – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Leader: Please bring strange things.
People: Please come bringing new things.
Leader: Let very old things come into your hands.
People: Let what you do not know come into your eyes.
Leader: Let desert sand harden your feet.
People: Let the arch of your feet be the mountains.
Leader: Let the paths of your fingertips be your maps
People: And the ways you go be the lines on your palms.
Leader: Let there be deep snow in your inbreathing
People: And your out-breath be the shining of ice.
Leader: May your mouth contain the shapes of strange words.
People: May you smell food cooking you have not eaten.
Leader: May the spring of a foreign river be your navel.
People: May your soul be at home where there are no houses.
Leader: Walk carefully, well-loved one,
People: Walk mindfully, well-loved one,
Leader: Walk fearlessly, well-loved one.
All: Return with us, return with us, be always coming home.  
                                                                               -Ursula K. Le Guin

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

Sung Response – In the Lord (Please sing twice)

In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful, in the Lord I will rejoice.
Look to God– do not be afraid!
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near,
lift up your voices, the Lord is near.

Special Music – “Little Baby Child” by Jim Hurst. Offered by Ned Stewart.

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-4. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ” Who is the greatest in the kin-dom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kin-dom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Sermon – “Baby Steps”- Rev. Andy Bachmann

Closing Song – Let There Be Peace On Earth

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as Creator
Siblings all are we–
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Benediction

Alleluia