The asterisks ** indicate to stand, as you are able.  The dove symbol ˙ marks parts of worship that children may find easier for participation (easier words, frequent use or repetition, etc.)

GATHERING MUSIC g  WELCOME g CHURCH HAPPENINGS, JOYS & CONCERNS

˙OPENING SENTENCES

One:  Ephphatha—be opened.  From eyes closed to injustice and ears closed to cries-we come into this hour to have our love and compassion renewed.

ALL:  We come, open to the feast of God’s table of justice, where there is room for all, more than crumbs, and no one is sent away empty.

One: O God, open our lips.  ALL: And our mouths shall show forth your praise.

˙**DOXOLOGY                        Tune: Lasst Uns Erfreuen

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!

**HYMN 576           For the Healing of the Nations

PSALM of the DAY:  Psalm 125 —hymnal page 707

The accompanist plays the Response.  The congregation sings:

Response:   Do good, O God, to those who are good.

The Psalm is read responsively, the congregation reading the indented lines.

All sing the Response where marked R.

SCRIPTURE

       Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23; James 2: 1-10, 14-17 and Mark 7: 24-37

SPECIAL MUSIC                          On Eagle’s Wings

Thank you, Byer Kusyk and Jean Powell (clarinet) and Audrey Christofersen (piano)          

˙TIME with OUR CHILDREN               

Following ‘Time with Our Children’ nursery care is provided in the lower level, open to children through kindergarten level.  Older children may take part in a special activity time, or may remain and participate in worship.  Special children’s worship notebooks are available in the narthex.

**HYMN 498                      Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love

MEDITATION                    Ephphatha—Be Opened!

PRESENTING OUR OFFERINGS & **˙RESPONSE—Hymn 55, stanza 5

Praise God who rules all worlds, the risen Christ adore,

Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God forevermore!

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing!

**PRAYER of DEDICATION

ALL:  We thank you, God, for the comforts of our lives. You have blessed us in countless ways. Accept our offerings with our profound gratitude. Consecrate them. Grant that they may bring comfort to those who don’t have enough. Amen.

CELEBRATING the SACRAMENT of HOLY COMMUNION

**Invitation  g   Eucharistic Prayer: **Thanksgiving and **Sanctus—Hymnal 792

Holy, holy, holy God Ruler Almighty, heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Glory be to you, O God. 

Blessed is the One who comes, who comes in the name of God.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest!

Please be seated after the Sanctus.

The Eucharistic Prayer continues:  Remembrance and Consecration

Breaking Bread, Pouring the Cup     g     ˙Our Savior’s Prayer

[Abba] Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever.  Amen.

Sharing the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing

At First Congregational UCC, we share an “open” table—ALL are welcome at God’s table!  If you would like to receive communion, when an usher comes to your row, come forward by the center aisle, take a piece of bread (gluten-free in the bowl in the bread basket), dip it into a chalice (grape juice), eat and return to your pew by a side aisle.  If indicated to an usher, the servers will bring the bread and cup to you.

**Post-Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving and Sending

ALL:  Almighty God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of 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.  Amen.

**HYMN 537           Christian, Rise and Act Your Creed

˙**BLESSING

One:  May the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go in peace. ALL: Thanks be to God!