Bulletin 5.4.23

June 4, 2023
10:30 a.m.

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Jim Andrews,
liturgist
The energy of compassion in you will transform your life and make it more
beautiful. Compassion is always born of understanding and understanding
is the result of looking deeply.

Thich Nhat Hanh 1926-2022

PRELUDE
* OPENING READING Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
1881-1955
O God, I praise You for the universe which You have evolved over unending
centuries, vitalizing matter with energy, bringing forth all things as the peak
of Your creating wisdom, working to unify mankind, initiating a process of
spiritualizing humanity. O Creator God, let me be a willing partner in
building the universe of Your will and in divinizing humanity, in unity with
You, permeating Your creation with love and incorporating souls into the
eternal.
* HYMN Over My Head
514
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Let us prepare ourselves for the word of God as it comes to us in the reading
of Holy Scripture. Our hearts and minds are open.
Psalm 139, page 715
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word
of God within us, Thanks be to God!
MYSTIC READING — What is Grace? St. John of the Cross 1542-1591,
Adapted

* HYMN We are Dancing Sarah’s Circle
501
REFLECTION A Journey Barbara
Donohue
UNISON READING Ruth
Richardson, 20th c.
I am a vessel that is broken.
My many pieces lay at Your feet.
And I long for what You’ve intended.
But all I offer is frailty.
That’s what You ask for —
You ask for weakness,
that in my weakness
Your strength can be known.
It’s hard to understand;
Your ways aren’t mine, but
if You want weakness —
take all of me.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ, as part of the Church Universal
is to:
● Celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives & in our world.
● Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people.
● Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

MORNING OFFERING – COMMUNION OFFERING
Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar.
You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in the bulletin
and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar. If you would
like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory
* Time of Dedication
Celtic Blessing
In the world people
get what they pay for.

So the rich,
who have much to spend,
have much to enjoy;
While the poor,
who have little to spend,
have little to enjoy.
In church they should
get what they need.
So the rich,
who at present have much,
should give much and receive little;
While the poor,
who at present have little,
should give little, and receive much.
Let the world flourish
and prosper;
And the church
set right its wrongs.

* PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION As We Gather at Your Table
332
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Communion Prayer – Savior’s Prayer
Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom 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.
Blessing the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Meal

Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving — cast off William B.
Jones
to compare and contrast no longer the lives
I have not had with this one:
not larger, more noticed
nor quieter, steadier,
not better accompanied
nor less attached,
not gifted more
nor costed less,
just this life
this one life
to take
and eat
and know.
* HYMN Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
347
* BENEDICTION
Celtic blessing
Always
A mind has sought you
An eye has seen you
A mouth has named you
A heart has desired you. Amen.
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle) Rosemary
Crow

Weave, weave, weave us together; Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love. Weave us together, together in love.
Teje, tejenos juntos, Teje, tejenos juntos,
Tejenos juntos en unidad y amor. Tejenos juntos, juntos en el amor.
* POSTLUDE