Here in this place new light is streaming;
Now is the darkness vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreamings,
Brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in---the lost and forsaken;
Gather us in---the blind and the lame;
Call to us now, and we shall awaken;
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
tune and text: Marty Haugen GIA Publications onelicense.net #A-714736
We are the young—our lives are a mystery;
We are the old—who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history,
Called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in---the rich and the haughty;
Gather us in---the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly;
Give us the courage to enter the song.
Not in the dark of buildings confining,
Not in some heaven, light years away,
But here in this place the new light is shining;
Now is the kingdom, now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever;
Gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in---all peoples together,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone. *
Announcements
If you enjoy singing, come early to Sunday
Worship and sing with Voices, our “Unchoir”
at 9:30
Children's Camp July 21-25
Good-bye, Kathryn Clinton. We love you and
are going to miss you very much!
First United Church Picnic Friday August 8
Lighting the Christ Candle
Gather us in, ground us in you. (2X)
Gather us in, gather us in,
ground us, ground us in you.
MV # 7
Bless now, O God, the journey
that all your people make,
the path through noise and silence,
the way of give and take.
The trail is found in desert
and winds the mountain round,
then leads beside still waters,
the road where faith is found.
VU # 633 Tune: AURELIA
Bless sojourners and pilgrims
who share this winding way,
whose hope burns through the terrors,
whose love sustains the day.
We yearn for holy freedom
while often we are bound.
Together we are seeking
the road where faith is found.
Divine Eternal Lover, you meet us on the
road.
We wait for lands of promise
where milk and honey flow.
But waiting not for places,
you meet us all around.
Our covenant is written
on roads, as faith is found. *
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Scripture Reading
Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
good soil. even better seeds.
(remain seated)
For the harvest of the Spirit,
thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
Thanks be to God. *
Prayer
O healing river, send down your waters,
send down your waters upon this land.
O healing river, send down your waters,
and wash the blood from off the sand.
This land is parching, this land is burning,
No seed is growing in the barren ground.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, send your waters down.
Text: anonymous Music: Trad. N American hymn tune
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them.
Whom shall I send?
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart. *
sent forth to be a blessing
Dance with the Spirit early in the mornin’,
walk with the Spirit throughout the long day.
Work and hope for the new life a-bornin’
listen to the Spirit to show you the way
MV # 156
Time of Offering