DS training 2007 worship scripts - Marcia McFeemarciamcfee.com/wp-content/...for_regional_leaders_worship_scripts.pdf · grace poured out. ... that they are anointed to proclaim and

For more information: www.marciamcfee.com

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Note: These liturgies were prepared for the event listed below. Any permissions granted were for use at that event only. Please obtain the appropriate permissions when using these liturgies (you do not need to contact Marcia) and list the following in printed material: “Based on design

by Dr. Marcia McFee, www.marciamcfee.com.”

Worship Guide

The Journey of Discipleship

••

One Body: A Future with Hope

••

A Feast of Love

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Naming Gifts, Declaring Hope

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Great Thanks

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Appendix


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Liturgists: The People

Worship Design and Leadership: Dr. Marcia McFee Musical Artist: Carolyn Joiner

An Overview: Greetings! It is my hope that these liturgies will serve a dual purpose. They will serve as praise, prayer and reflection in this important time of preparing for the tasks that lay ahead of you in your appointments. But they may also serve as resources for your ministry in the years to come–liturgies you may employ, adapt or simply use as an inspirational jumping-off point for creating devotional times at meetings, church conferences, staff or clergy retreats, among others. I know that, along with the many other duties that fall to you now, you are also called upon to be spiritual leaders of rituals in ways that are different than parish ministry. You will be present with churches in some of the most exciting and difficult times of their communal lives–“sacramental” moments in the deepest sense of the word. In worship this week, I invite you to simply open to the indwelling of God in these sacramental moments–letting the Spirit refresh and ignite you for your ministry. After you return to your communities, I hope you will pull this booklet out again and imagine how you might lead folks in opening, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to the possibilities of the Spirit within them. Peace & Passion, Dr. Marcia McFee www.marciamcfee.com


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The Journey of Discipleship • page 4 This service uses water in three modes inherent in our tradition: cleansing, remembering our baptism, and serving one another through the example of Jesus’ washing feet. We will wash hands as a way of making this ritual accessib le to those who may not be comfortable with a foot-washing ritual–maintaining the intimacy and challenge of what it means to answer God’s call. One Body: A Future with Hope • page 9 While the Proclamation of the Word this day will not be one that you will replicate, the question of how to move forward into an unknown future in an uncertain world is one that we all face. We acknowledge the call of God to the “edges” and our commitment to be with and for one another in facing challenges. The song, “I Need You To Survive” is from the wonderful new Zion Still Sings hymnal and speaks a moving word of our interconnection. Naming Gifts, Declaring Hope • page 11 I call this ritual of acknowledging God’s presence in all things and all people “Metaphoraging!” This imaginative proclamation gets everyone involved in a brief, easy and fun experience. A Feast of Love • page 14 John Wesley was moved by the Love Feast of the Moravians. There is power in telling the stories of Jesus at table and then sharing in testimony to the abundance of God’s grace poured out. The format we will use is adapted from the traditional Love Feast from the Book of Worship. Creating spontaneous participation and leadership is a great way to encourage fellowship and sharing at any meeting or church conference. Great Thanks • page 16 As the opening litany declares, communion is the place par excellence to come when we need to be strengthened in our work, when we find ourselves in the midst of conflict, when we are yearning for resurrection in our lives and communities. We complete our time together this week by breaking bread and sharing the cup of life. The sign of the cross on the forehead is an ancient practice of early Christians at their baptism and confirmation. This ritual gesture may be used whenever we want to remind persons that they are anointed to proclaim and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ. Appendix • page 22 This section points you toward more resources for your work.


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The Journey of Discipleship

DS/DCM Training Monday Morning Worship

August 27, 2007

[Each chair has a small piece of paper on it that disappears when placed in water. There are three basins: one at the back, the middle of the aisle, and the front of the room. This worship gathering focuses on the constant journey of a disciple’s life - from cleansing waters to baptismal waters to servant waters (as exemplified in Jesus’ washing of feet - we will wash hands).

WE GATHER

Prelude

Opening Singing

“I’m Gonna Sing” UMH 333

Gathering the Community

Welcome and Announcements

Music for Centering on God “As I Went Down to the River to Pray”

from O, Brother Where Art Thou

Call to Worship

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

“Come into God’s presence singing Alleluia!”

[sung by congregation in a round, directed by Marcia -

a capella with C & G bells continuing to ring]

Invocation and Blessing of the Water [water is poured into the three basins]

Gracious God, we thank you that in every age you have made water a sign of your presence. In the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters and they became the source of all creation. You led your people Israel through the waters of the Red Sea to their new land of freedom and hope. In the waters of the Jordan, your Son was baptized by John


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and anointed with your Spirit for his ministry. May this same Spirit bless the water we use today, that it may be a fountain of a new creation. This is the water through which we experience

healing and wholeness promising us that a time will come when all is good. Come, Spirit, come and be a new reality. Renew us as we acknowledge that you are the victory, you are the grace, And you are the reason this gathering is a holy place. Come, Spirit, renew the hearts of all gathered for praise and prayer, renew in us the desire for justice and peace, liberation and life now and every day.

AMEN!

Hymn

“Together We Serve” FWS 2175

Prayer [extemporaneous]

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

Scriptures, Songs and Sermon Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn, Jr.

The Cleansing Basin

The Struggle Psalm 25:16-21

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart,

and bring me out my distress. Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

O guard my life, and deliver me;


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do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

Meditation #1

[or not if preacher wants to do one at end of all three] [the fears, the pitfalls, the struggle of the journey]

“You Are Mine” FWS #2218 [The people are given some moments of silence to write something on their paper of which they desire to let go. Then a solo voice sings the first verse and chorus out of the silence. The people

are directed to join on the second verse.

The Baptismal Basin The Gifts, The Grace

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Parent of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift… The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of

the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.

Meditation #2 [the call, the grace, the gifts, being part of the Body of Christ]

“Water, River, Spirit, Grace” FWS 2253

The Servant’s Basin The Call, The Command

John 13: 1-17 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Holy Living God. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that God had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are


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you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—

and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know

these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

Meditation #3 [or entire sermon… depending on preacher choice]

[serving, hospitality, following Jesus]

“The Servant Song” FWS #2222 [this will include intercessory prayer led by Marcia]

The Journey of Discipleship Participants are invited to move to the three basins:

Cleansing Basin:

You are invited to place your piece of dissolving paper upon which you have written something you want to let go of in the bowl of water

Baptismal Basin:

You are invited to receive the sign of the cross upon your forehead and remember your baptism - the gift of grace and the call to ministry

Servant’s Basin:

You are invited to have your hands washed and remember that Jesus said “you are blessed if you do these things.”

Songs for the Journey “As the Deer”

“Wade in the Water” “You Who Are Thirsty”

“The Peace of the Earth Be with You”

Benediction


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The Refreshing Conclusion Rev. 21:3-6

I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making a home with men and women! They’re God’s people, and God is their Holy One and Only! God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good–tears gone, crying gone, pain gone–all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down–each word dependable and accurate.” Then God said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From the Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty.”

(translation: Eugene Peterson, adapted)

Closing Song

“I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” FWS 2153


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One Body: A Future with Hope

DS/DCM Training Tuesday Morning Worship

August 28, 2007

Music for Centering on God

Reading

Reader 1: Now the Lord is the Spirit, Reader 2: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, All Readers [together]: there is freedom! Reader 3: And all of us, with unveiled faces, Reader 4: seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected

in a mirror, Reader 5: are being transformed into the same image from

one degree of glory to another; Reader 6: for this comes from the Lord, All Readers [cacophonously]: the Spirit! II Corinthians 3: 17-18

Song of Invocation

“Come, Holy Spirit” FWS 2125

Greeting

Our God be with you! And also with you!

Let us pray:

O God, the Giver of life, we pray for the Church throughout the world.

Sanctify its life, renew its worship, empower its witness, restore its unity. Remove from your people all pride

and every prejudice that dulls their will for unity. Strengthen the work of all those who strive for

a common love that will transform us and weave us together in covenant. Heal the divisions which separate your children from one another,

that they may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Amen.

Sung Response “Make Us One, Lord” FWS #2224

A Word

Hebrews 11:1-3


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A Reflection

“On the Edge”

Prayers of the People “I Need You to Survive”

The Peace

Benediction


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Naming Gifts, Declaring Hope

DS/DCM Training Wednesday Morning Worship

August 29, 2007

Opening Singing

Greeting and Naming Marcia invites the people to name the gifts that they know are embodied in the people present

"With Gifts that Differ by Your Grace" [by Ruth Duck from Circles of Care]

[sung by a solo voice]

With gifts that differ by your grace your Spirit fits us all, that Christians in each time and place may answer when you call.

You strengthen some to take a stand, to prophesy or preach, while others give with open hand, or heal the sick, or teach.

And yet, because our faith is frail, we bury gifts you give.

Afraid to risk, afraid to fail, we are not free to live. At times we use your sacred gifts for only selfish ends.

Our purpose fades, our focus shifts, and conflict soon attends.

[the people are invited to stand and join in the song…] Come, Spirit, build your church anew, that all may do their part,

together finding life in you, diverse, yet one in heart. So may your people seek your will, transformed in all our ways.

We offer body, mind and skill, a sacrifice of praise.

Song of Celebration [On the word “praise” at the end of the song above, drumbeat begins to change the tempo and

segue into the next song.]

“We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of our God. We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of our God.

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving; and we offer up to you the sacrifices of joy!


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Litany of Invocation

One: Come, Holy Spirit, rattle the rooms in which we are hiding, shake the tired foundations until unjust institutions crumble, break the rules that keep You out of all our sacred spaces, then lift from the dust and rubble a completely new creation. All: Come, Holy Spirit, enter our lives, whisper our names refresh our spirits and scatter Your gifts of grace with wild abandon, give Your silent strength to all imprisoned and let Your raging fire be our sign of liberty. One: Come, Holy Spirit, help us find ourselves in vital places, bringing Your word and freedom to those who hunger for love and life. All: In the name of Jesus, who touched, healed and challenged, and calls us to go and do likewise. Amen!

Prayers of the People

Silent Prayer Response

Silently now, I wait for thee

Ready, my God, thy will to see Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit, Divine!

Scripture A Narrative of Acts 3&4

Proclamation of the People

“Metaphoraging” [the people are invited to take out an ordinary object and proclaim to each other in small groups

how that object is a symbol of their hope for the church. After each person, the small group responds, “Praise God who is in all things.”]

Response

“Spirit of the Living God”


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Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me

Closing Song “Many Gifts, One Spirit” UMH 114

The Peace


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A Feast of Love

DS/DCM Training Thursday Morning Worship

August 30, 2007

Preparation for the Feast by the Community [the community is seated around tables

one representative from each table comes to the center to receive instructions (i.e. placing the table, dressing the table, lighting the candle,

bringing in the baskets, reading scripture) each table pours water and “sets” their table]

Scripture Luke 14: 16-24

(a table is brought in) 15 One of the dinner guests… said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 Then Jesus † said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ 20 Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, † none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’ ”

Opening Song

“Jesus, We Are Here” FWS 2273

Scripture Matt 22: 34-40

(the table is dressed with a tablecloth) 34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”


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Sung Response (candle is brought to the table and lit and the people are invited to come gather around the table)

Be present at our table Lord

Be here and everywhere adored These mercies bless and grant that we

May feast in fellowship with thee. Amen.

Personal Witness to the Scripture Luke 9: 12-17

[Baskets of rolls are brought to the table during the reading] 12 The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men [and God knows how many women and children!). And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did so and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

[Then a faculty member gives a brief example of testimony and invites partners to share with one another.]

How have you experienced the hospitality of God?

What is your testimony of abundance through Christ?

Sung Response to the Word (baskets distributed to tables... consider using children)

“Ubi Caritas” (“Live in Charity”) FWS 2179

Passing of the Bread with a Blessing [persons share around the table, taking bread and sharing a blessing]

Sung Response

“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” FWS 2223 [offering could take place here, put money in empty basket]

Refreshing of our Spirits and Amen

[the community all drink together]

Sung Testimony to the Kin-dom “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Benediction


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Great Thanks

Closing Worship: Word and Table DS/DCM Training

Friday Morning Worship August 31, 2007

WE GATHER

Gathering Chant Words and music: Phil Porter. Used with permission.

Gathered here in the mystery of this hour

Gathered here in one strong body Gathered here in the struggle and the power

Spirit, draw near!

Litany

When we have a problem, Bring us to this table. When we are hungry, Bring us to this table. When we have a disagreement, Bring us to this table. When we want to get some work done, Bring us to this table. When we yearn for resurrection, Bring us to this table.

- William Everett, adapted

Response

“Sing For God’s Glory”

Words: Kathy Galloway, adapted Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN UMH 139

Sing for God’s glory that colors the dawn of creation, racing across the sky, trailing bright clouds of elation;

sun of delight succeeds the velvet of night, warming the earth’s exultation.

Sing for God’s power that shatters the chains that would hold us,

searing the bleakness of fear and despair that would mold us, touching our shame with love that will not lay blame,

reaching out gently to find us.


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Sing for God’s justice disturbing each easy illusion, tearing down tyrants and putting our pride to confusion;

lifeblood of right, resisting evil and slight, offering freedom’s transfusion.

Sing for God’s saints who have travelled faith’s journey before us,

who in our weariness give us their hope to restore us; in them we see the new creation to be,

spirit of love made flesh for us.

Prayer of Invocation [in a language other than English]

WE PROCLAIM

First Reading

Chosen by the preacher

Second Reading “Sing Alleluia to the Lord” FWS 2258

Sing alle luia to the Lord….

Lift up your heart unto the Lord… In Christ the world has been redeemed…

John 11:25-27

Reader: Jesus said… “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” People: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

[song continues]

His resurrection sets us free… Therefore we celebrate the feast…

Sing alle luia to the Lord…

Sermon Rev. Mary Ann Moman

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD


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Invitation

Bishop: Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin

and seek to live in peace with one another.

Liturgist: Therefore, my friends, name what you renounce this day. What will you let go of in order to follow this one called Jesus?

Words of Letting Go The people respond.

Bishop: Friends, even as we let these things go,

we are filled with the goodness and mercy of God. Be assured that we are forgiven and freed by the grace of God.

Liturgist: To what do you turn this day?

What will you claim in order to follow this one called Jesus?

Words of Grace The people respond.

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

The Peace

The Great Thanksgiving “Communion Setting” FWS 2257

Sursum Corda #2257-a Bishop: Gracious God, source of steadfast strength,

we delight in giving you praise; with purpose and compassion you gave of yourself, created our world, and called it good. Creating creatures of every size, shape, and color, you blessed humankind with the gift of your image. As you comfort us, so too, you challenge us. Thanks be to you, Holy One, for rolling waters of justice, everflowing streams of hope, and the courage to answer the call to serve You again and again.


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And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus #2257-b In the power of Jesus we gather at this table, remembering all you have given us. We remember Jesus’ healing touch, his strong compassion, his righteous anger, and his prayerful strength. We remember how he gathered your people, stranger and friend alike, gave thanks to you for them, offered them the bread of life and the cup of blessing, and proclaimed a new covenant in your name. On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” [The people are invited to stand] Bishop: Remembering the wonder of his life, the agony of his death, and the joy of his resurrection, we unite with all the saints, proclaiming the mystery of faith:

Memorial Acclamation #2257-c


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[The people are invited to raise their hands in the orans position of prayer] Bishop: Send your Spirit upon us, loving God, and upon this bread and fruit of the vine, that in eating and drinking together we might be truly transformed

and strengthened in our commitment to your call: to do justice, celebrate creation, and honor the human differences through which your love shines. [The people are invited to take each other’s hands] Bless our communion with strength and purpose, we pray, and make us one in love, through the power of your risen Christ; in the communion of the Holy Spirit. All honor and glory are yours, now and forever! Let the people sing “Amen!”

Amen #2257-d

The Prayer of Jesus

Breaking the Bread Because there is one loaf,

we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.

The cup over which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

The ancient sign of oil in the sign of a cross on the forehead reminds us that we are part of the royal priesthood of all believers in Jesus Christ, commissioned to ministry in and for the world. [The servers are invited to come forward and instructions are given to the congregation]

Communion and Anointing [familiar communion hymns are sung]

WE ARE SENT FORTH

A Psalm of Commissioning By Miriam Therese Winter from WomanWord, adapted

Bishop: God says, “The harvest is ready. Whom shall I send?” All: Send me, Shaddai, I am ready to serve You, all the days of my life. Liturgist: Go into the workplace and into the streets and reveal God’s saving Spir it through the quality of your lives.


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Bishop: God says, “The world is waiting. Whom shall I send?” All: Send me, Shaddai, I am ready to speak of You, all the days of my life. Liturgist: Preach the Good News by your actions; draw people into circles of care, heal, help, teach, touch, be of good spirit in good times and bad times, and live for the glory of God. Bishop: God says, “The world is hungry. Whom shall I send?” All: Send me, Shaddai, I am ready to nourish, all the days of my life. Liturgist: Feed the hungry of body and spirit, break the bread of compassion, distribute the fragments of hope, and be refreshed by the Word within you. Bishop: God says, “The vineyard is ready. Whom shall I send?” All: Send me, Shaddai, I am ready to work for You, all the days of my life. Liturgist: Enter into and love the mission and your many ministries, labor for justice, lobby for peace, free the captives, and may you find contentment in the wages of commitment when the long hard day is done.

Closing Song of Praise “We Are Marching” FWS 2235-b


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Appendix

• Visit www.marciamcfee.com and go to the “Reflections” page where you will find a blog about this event (“Rituals for Regional Leaders”). At the bottom of that article, download the full scripts, including rubrics, instructions and descriptions of all worship in this guide. • Also in that blog, you will be able to download examples of Church Conference worship designed for two years for the New Jersey Area as inspiration for thinking about making church/charge conferences “worshipful work.” Also see an example of a District Superintendent Installation Service. • If your conference or district would benefit from continuing education on enhancing worship for the 21st century in a diversity of “styles” from spirited traditional to emerging, please don’t hesitate to contact me and find out about workshops, pastor’s school leadership, annual conference design/leadership. Also find out about worship leadership training for individuals (“Elevation!”) in my home town of Lake Tahoe.

877-387-7977 • [email protected] • www.marciamcfee.com • Many thanks to Carolyn Joiner for her music leadership. Be sure to check out her CD of piano improvisations entitled “Celebrating the Christian Year” for sale at this event. • The worship on the following pages, “Seeds of Hope,” is based on imagery that I am working with for worship for General Conference 2008. I have adapted it to work for any gathering of persons who would like to pray specifically for the work of General Conference or who simply want to reflect on their hopes for the future. The worship entitled “Pool of Tears, Fountain of Hope” is a liturgy for use at times of lament.

Worship Notes (Only includes material not found in the Faith We Sing songbooks in use on-site)

The Journey of Disci ple ship “Come into God’s presence singing Alleluia!” Anon. Upper Room Worshipbook, 401. “The Peace of the Earth Be with You” Trad. Guatemalan. Upper Room Worshipbook, 446 © 1998 GIA Publications. OneLicense #A-702236 One Body: A Future with hop e “I Need You to S urvive” by David Frazier, arr. Mark Miller, Zion Still Sings, 219 © God’s Music, Inc. CCLI License # 852714 "With Gifts that Differ by Your Grace" by Ruth Duck, Circles of Care © Pilgrim Press. OneLicense #A-702236. Great Th anks “Gathering Chant” by Phil Porter, New Century Hymnal, 742. Used with permission. “Litany” by William Everett, adapted. “Sing For God’s Glory” words by Kathy Galloway, adapted, Upper Room Worshipbook, 62 © Wild Goose Publications. OneLicense #A-702236. Great Thanksgiving adapted from June Christine Goudey, Feast of Our Lives, Pilgrim Press. “A Psalm of Commissioning” adapted from Miriam Therese Winter, WomanWord, Crossroad Publ ishing Co.


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Seeds of hope

Opening Hymn “Hymn of Promise” UMH 707

[the worship center is dressed with cloth, cross, baptismal bowl of water, Bible, light of Christ, and flowering plants]

Invocation

Holy God, Holy One, Holy Three! You beyond the galaxies, You under the oceans, You inside the leaves, You pouring down rain, You opening the flowers, You feeding the insects, You giving us your image, You carrying us through the waters, You holding us in the night. Holy God, we cry out for your Spirit: Enliven this moment, Awaken this body, Pour us out for each other. Transfigure our minds, Ignite your church, Nourish the life of the earth. Make us, while many and diverse, united. Make us, though broken and hurting, whole. Make us, despite fear and death, alive. And so we cry, Come, Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit! And so the church shouts, Come, Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit! And so the earth pleads, Come, Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit! You, Holy God, Holy One, Holy Three, Our Life, our Mercy, our Might, Our Table, our Food, our Server, Our Rainbow, our Ark, our Dove, Our Sovereign, our Water, our Wine, Our Light, our Treasure, our Tree, Our Way, our Truth, our Life.


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You, Holy God, Holy One, Holy Three! Praise now, Praise tomorrow, Praise forever! Amen!

The Word of God [sing to the tune GIFT OF LOVE]

[sung]

The Word of God is source and seed; it comes to die and sprout and grow. so make your dark earth welcome warm; root deep the grain God bent to sow.

[spoken] The righteous flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green to show that the Lord is upright. The Lord is my rock,

in whom there is no unrighteousness. Psalm 92: 12-15

[sung]

The Word of God is breath and life; it comes to heal and wake and save. So let the Spirit touch and mend and rouse your dry bones from their grave.

[spoken] Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 17:7,8; 29:11


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[sung] The Word of God is flesh and grace who comes to sing, to laugh and cry. So dare to be as Jesus was, who came to live and love and die.

[spoken] “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4: 26-29 [sung]

The Word of God is source and seed; it comes to die and sprout and grow. So make your dark earth welcome warm; root deep the grain God bent to sow.

Reflections

People are invited to share what they see “rooted, sprouting and growing” in this community [whether this is a church or staff or gathering of clergy or other]. If using this worship

specifically to pray for the work of General Conference 2008, invite people to share their hopes for the work of the delegates and of the United Methodist Church into the future.

Prayers of Hope

You are invited to write a short prayer of hope for the church on an envelope and place some seeds in it. These envelopes may be exchanged between persons present and taken home and

planted or, [if a church conference] seeds can be planted by members of the church or by Christian Education classes and the seedlings will grace the sanctuary for the next Easter

celebration. When all have finished, join in the following prayer:

Generous God, Sower of Seeds in the New Earth, by your grace, our eyes glimpse new horizons, where the oppressed know liberation, where the saddened know happiness, and where this broken world knows unity. May the utopia that is your Reign blaze in our hearts, like a flame that continues to burn, until it finally reaches its goal.


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May we step out in hope, may our arms work for peace, may our lips lovingly speak a litany of passion for life. Amen.

Closing Song

Holy Spirit, Wind of Heaven [sing to the tune ODE TO JOY]

Holy Spirit, Wind of Heaven, Breath of Life, our warmth and light,

Power of creation, bringing hopeful dawn from darkest night: You have birthed us, you have borne us, you have blessed us all our days, Now you fill our lungs with singing; how you fill our hearts with praise!

Holy Spirit, flame of passion, you who brought the Church to be,

Re-created as your Body, holy in our unity. Fill us with your fierce compassion, gentle courage, trust and peace;

Lead us all to love each other, make our sad divisions cease.

Holy Spirit, Dove descending, mind of Christ within us all; Speak your wisdom, move among us, help us hear your inner call.

Be the only pow’r that moves us; be our life, O singing Dove! Holy Spirit, come! Revive us! Fill us with your heart of love!

Invocation by Gail Ramshaw (excerpt from Great Thanksgiving for opening worship, GC 2008). “The Word of God” words by Delores Dufner, GIA Publications. Prayer of Hope by Luciano José de Souza (Brazil). World Council of Churches, 2006. “Holy Spirit, Wind of Heaven” words by Steve Garnaas-Holmes.


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Pool of Tears, Fountain of Hope [For lament]

WE GATHER IN PRAYER

A small tabletop fountain of flowing water may be placed on a table or altar.

Gathering Song “Water of Life” URW (Upper Room Worshipbook) 422, vs. 2 [repeated several times]

Merciful God, Gather us in;

Center us now in your grace. Fountain of love, Source of all gifts;

Make us your people of peace.

Collect

Creating, Comforting, Holy and Living God, we come before You with our hearts filled and broken at the same time. We give you thanks and praise for the blessings of this world in which we live. Yet we shed a fountain of tears this day for a broken world, for broken communities, for broken bodies and relationships. May the words and songs lifted this day reverberate in our lives as peace passed on and love shared. Turn our hurt to healing and our mourning to dancing. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who calls us each by name. Amen.

A Song of Intercessory Prayer “We Lay Our Broken World” URW 156

We lay our broken world in sorrow at your feet,

Haunted by hunger, war and fear, oppressed by power and hate.

Here human life seems less than profit, might and pride, Though to unite us all in you, you lived and loved and died.

We bring our broken towns, our neighbors hurt and bruised;

You show us how old pain and wounds for new life can be used.


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We bring our broken loves, friends parted, families torn;

Then in your life and death we see that love must be reborn.

We bring our broken selves, confused and closed and tired; Then through your gift of healing grace new purpose is inspired.

As the music continues under, people are invited “pass peace” by sharing gestures of comfort

with one another. Then the last verse is sung.

O Spirit, on us breathe, with life and strength anew;

Find in us love, and hope, and trust, and lift us up to you.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD Psalm 23

“Shepherd Me, O God” FWS 2258 Soloist sings verses, congregation comes in on refrain,

the Psalm is read between vs. 2 & 3

Other scripture appropriate to the context may be read and a homily given.

WE RESPOND

Pool of Tears People may be invited to give voice to their laments and hopes as is appropriate to the situation.

Possible ritual action: Water is dipped from the fountain into a bowl or several bowls (depending on the size of the group) as each lament/hope is expressed. After the sharing is finished and while music softly

plays, the bowls are passed and each person in the community is invited to touch the water and draw a streak below each eye, as a sign of lament. (If it is a small group, you may simply want to pour a bit of water into the fountain with each lament and have people go to the fountain for

the streaking of tears on the face).

Prayer

O God, I taste my thirst for you in my tears. In the midst of my anguish, I long for the days

when I sang your praises and shouted your glory. Held in your steadfast love, I will again rejoice in you,

my help and my hope. Amen.

The leader proclaims hope, reminding all that the water also represents our baptism–a reminder that death and lament do not have the final word.


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Fountain of Hope

“Water of Life” URW 422, vs. 1

Water of life,

Jesus our light; Journey from death to new life. Water of life, Jesus our light;

Journey from death to new life.

Benediction

May the wind of the Holy Spirit dry our tears and open our eyes, the presence of Christ comfort and compel us, the grace of God fill us and move us forward,

now and forever. Amen.

Postlude Worship Notes: “Water of Life” from Upper Room Worshipbook, words, refrain 1 by David Haas, refrain 2 by Elise S. Eslinger; Music by David Hass © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc. Collect by Marcia McFee. “We Lay Our Broken World” from Upper Room Worshipbook, words by Anna Briggs © 1988 Wild Good Publications, admin. by GIA Publications, Inc. “Shepherd Me, O God” from The Faith We Sing. Words and music by Marty Haugen © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc.

Documents

DS training 2007 worship scripts - Marcia McFeemarciamcfee.com/wp-content/...for_regional_leaders_worship_scripts.pdf · grace poured out. ... that they are anointed to proclaim and