Order of Service, Oct 16, 2016 "Perfect Strangers"
Date of Service:
October 16, 2016
October 16, 2016
“Men always talk about the most important things to perfect strangers.
In the perfect stranger we perceive man himself;
the image of a God is not disguised by resemblances to an uncle or doubts of wisdom of a mustache.”
~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
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*Gathering Hymn Bind us together, bind us together, with cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together, bind us together, bind us together with love.
Prelude Come Sunday Duke Ellington
Welcome
Chalice Lighting Michael Eselun
*Opening Hymn #298 Wake Now My Senses
*Covenant Love is the doctrine of this church.
The quest for truth is its sacrament,
And service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace,
To seek knowledge in freedom,
To serve humankind in fellowship,
Thus do we covenant with each other.
*Hymn of Praise From all that dwell below the skies
Let songs of hope and faith arise
Let peace, goodwill on earth be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
Offering for the Westside Food Bank
Time for All Ages
Song of Blessing #118 This Little Light of Mine Traditional
Life Together
Pulpit Message Stewardship
Offering Musical Meditation (9am)
Sanctus, Benedictus (11am) Antonio Lotti
Holy, holy, holy One
God of power and might
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God
Hosanna in the highest
Devotional Time
Silence
Sung Response #34 Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire
Responsive Reading Excerpt from “Kindness” Naomi Shihab Nye
Music for the Morning There is a Balm in Gilead William L. Dawson
Sermon Perfect Strangers Michael Eselun
*Closing Hymn #1021 Lean on Me
*Benediction
Musical Response Umoja Zanaida Robles
*Please stand in body or in spirit
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Greeters: Roberta Frye, Wendi Gladstone, Audrey Lyness & David Olson
Ushers: Bonnie Brae, Dan Patterson, Jila Tayefehnowrooz & Ned Wright
Coffee: Sheila Cummins, Alice Hall, Eileen McCormack & Pam Teplitz
Welcome Table: Wendi Gladstone
Bookstore: Sarah Harper
Service Notes
Today 40% of our non-pledge offering will go to Our House Grief Support Center. Grief is a natural reaction after the death of someone close. In our society few people are prepared for the intensity and duration of the grief process. Our House was founded on the premise that grievers need understanding, support, and connection. For twenty-one years, Our House has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark upon a journey to hope and healing.
Responsive Reading: Excerpt from “Kindness” by Naomi Shihab Nye
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.