Order of Worship January 16, 2022
UJCC Sunday Worship Service
January 16, 2022 * Second Sunday After Epiphany * Beloved Community Sunday
“Everyone loves the idea of reconciliation…Until it involves truth telling, confessing, repenting, dismantling, forgiving, and peacemaking.” -Eugene Echo
You are invited to the spiritual practice of returning thanks to God. You can try our online giving option HERE. Thank you and peace be with you!
Prelude
We recognize that some of you may have had a crazy week and need some space or quiet time. So, 5-10 minutes prior to the service, we will play some music that you can listen to while you meditate. Otherwise, feel free to let us know that you're here by saying hi in the chat!
Words of Welcome
Around 10:30AM, our service will start. During this time, our worship leader will offer a greeting, introduce special guests, or provide important information for the service. Ultimately, we want to show how much we appreciate you joining us today despite your busy schedule.
Passing the Peace
Passing of the peace may merely seem like a time to greet one another. However, it also serves as a reminder of the peace that we have with God and the peace that we have with each other due to Jesus’ sacrifice. Please take this time to greet one another in the chat!
Song of Centering - "Fairest Lord Jesus"
In the same way that we get ready for a date, it is important for us to get ready to hear God’s Word. So, during the songs of centering, we intentionally try to lay aside our busy lives, worries, and distractions in order to focus on God. For if we have too much noise in our minds, this can leave little room for God. Please feel free to sit quietly in meditation, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, sing along, or use your body as you are able.
Call To Worship
In the call to worship, there is a call and a response. God calls us and we are supposed to respond accordingly.
*Call To Worship
We are here
to worship a remarkable God.
The love of God welcomes us,
the grace of Christ awaits us,
the joy of the Spirit enfolds us.
Don’t come as slaves, come as the truly free.
Don’t come as petitioners, come as those who are already heard.
Don’t come as interlopers, come as invited guests.
Don’t come as the outsiders, come as much-wanted children.
The love of God emboldens us.
The grace of Christ redeems us.
The joy of the Spirit uplifts us.
Come as the joyful, come as the eager, come as the thankful,
come as the recipients of amazing grace.
The love of God overflows our hearts,.
The grace of Christ liberates our spirits,
The joy of the Spirit sings in our minds. (bp)
Community Justice Center Presentation Kimberly Gragston, COSA (Circle of Support and Accountability) Program Director
Sermon - “Four Important Concepts to Understand A True Reconciliation Ministry”
Seya Lumeya, Community Justice Center & VORP Program Director
We believe God still speaks to us today through the Bible, people, and many other sources as well. As a result, we listen to Seya Lumeya during this time and try to discern what God is trying to tell us through his message. Feel free to listen, take notes, or meditate on something that stuck out to you. Here is the Scripture text that Seya Lumeya will be reading from this passage today:
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us."
Choral Anthem - “Beautiful Savior"
It is our responsibility to respond to God’s message. So, the song after the sermon gives us a little more time to digest God’s message and think about how we can respond appropriately. So, feel free to meditate on the message, pray, or simply enjoy the music.
Joys and Concerns
We believe God hears and answers our prayers. Not only that, but we believe in praying together so that we can encourage and support those going through difficult times, or celebrate our many blessings. For we are all God’s family. When one of us suffers, we all suffer. When one of us rejoices, we all rejoice. You are not alone. If you have any prayer requests, feel free to raise your hand until you are called upon. After each prayer request, we will say “O God of mercy” and everyone responds, “This is our prayer.” Finally, once all the prayer requests have been heard, we will close with a final prayer followed by the Lord’s prayer. If you do not know the Lord’s prayer, it will be up on the slideshow for you. If you have any prayer requests, please let us know in the chat!
Announcements
The announcements provide opportunities for us to put our faith into action throughout the week. Please try to see if anything interests you or challenge yourself to try something new. Volunteering is a great way to bless others, but we are often blessed ourselves in the process.
Song of Sending - "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
The song of sending forth prepares our hearts to go back out into the world. You can use this song as a final opportunity to decide how to respond to the message, pray for God’s guidance, or simply enjoy the music by humming along.
Benediction
Benediction is another word for blessing. It is a short prayer said in order to bless everyone as we get ready to go back out into the world. Feel free to close your eyes and receive the blessing so that you may be strengthened and encouraged.
Postlude - “Go Now In Peace”
This is the final ending song for the worship service. Once the song is finished, feel free to offer some final greetings in the chat or go about the rest of your day!
Worship Resource: (bp) Bruce Prewer, “Call To Worship: A Remarkable God,” https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/07/call-to-worship-remarkable-god.html
You are invited to continue your spiritual practice of giving to the church. Please either drop your offering in the box on your way out, mail your offering to the church (136 N. Villa Ave., Clovis, CA 93612), or try our online giving option (LINK HERE). Thank you!