Bulletin – Sunday, May 10, 2020

May 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter / Mother’s Day

Approach

Candle Lighting

Call to Worship

In you, O God, every family on earth receives its name.
Illumine our homes with the light of your love.

We thank you for gifts of love we have received.
From our mothers and those who have served as mothers in many ways, nourishing us and guiding us as we grow to be who we are.

As we have been loved by them, so we are loved by your, O God. Join with us in this day of celebration as we rejoice in being loved.
So we come to celebrate that love and to worship together the God of infinite love.

Hymn – “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”

I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well,
In a blaze of light you wandered off to find where demons dwell.

When you heard the wonder of the word,  I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord, to whom you now belong.

If you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make you verses rhyme from dusk till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I’ve begun.

When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise.

I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

Prayer

Mothering God, provider of what we truly need. We come before you hungry and thirsty for the spiritual nourishment that you can provide. Forgive us, if we are feeding ourselves on the junk food of idols stuffing ourselves full with excess, our fridges and freezers with much that will go to waste, and our homes with space and possessions that we do not truly need, believing that these things can satisfy our needs.

Open our eyes, Loving God who truly provides, to those who are at this moment having a hard time, making ends meet, and then show us where to share what we have, where to seek those who are in need, and upon which doors we should knock. Reveal to us those who, in our faith family, are in need right now.

God who nurtures life, if we have lost the life in us and become as dry, lustre-lacking, dead stones, then forgive us. Refresh us with your Spirit that we may emerge filled with your presence and filled again with love and passion for this life you have given us. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Time for All Ages

Hymn – “It Only Takes a Spark”

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing:
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it:
You spread God’s love to everyone,
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding,
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it:
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found ,
On God you can depend, it matters not where you’re bound;
I’ll shout it from the mountain top;
I want my world to know:
The Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 1:20-23
Luke 15:3-10

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn – “A Woman and a Coin – The Coin is Lost”

A woman and a coin – the coin is lost!
How much it means to her, what time and toil,
What part it was to play in her bright dreams!
Am I that treasured coin worth searching for?
I’m found, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!

A shepherd and a sheep – the sheep is lost!
Far from the flock, the one in hundred cries,
Then, risking life – the shepherd’s voice and staff!
Am I that treasured sheep worth dying for?
I live, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!

A parent and a child – the child is lost!
The parent feeds on memories and hope,
The prodigal on husks and one last chance.
Am I that treasured child worth waiting for?
I’m home, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!

Dear God, you sought us when the world was lost,
You gave your only son at what a cost;
Your spirit welcomes home the tempest-tossed:
Now we can be all you were dreaming of.
We’re safe and you rejoice!
What love! What love!

Meditation – “Mothering Love!”

Anthem – “Love One Another”

The Response

Pastoral Prayer

Mothers come in many different forms, and today we celebrate them all! Mothering God, we draw on the image of you as one who nurtures, who gathers, who protects. We pray for those women who have nurtured us as mothers and who are no longer with us and whom we miss dearly.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We reflect upon these women who have influenced our own lives in so many ways, and we give thanks.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for the women around the world who are working long days and nights to raise their children right now. We pray for the mothers around the world.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for mothers who have fled violence and difficult situations, including refugees, and who have been separated from their children, or experienced the tragedy of the death of a child. We pray for mothers living in uncertainty and facing the unknown.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for all the women who are expecting, but aren’t quite mothers yet! Thank God for the soon-to-be mothers.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for families where a mother’s illness has led to an early death We pray for those who step in to help with the care and nurture of the children, including extended family, and we especially pray for children who take on the role of mother when they themselves are still only children. We pray for the women who took in others’ children through adoption and foster care. We give thanks for these mothers with hearts so big.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for those women who have lost a child to death and must carry on. We pray for strength and courage for the mothers who have faced grief and loss.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for women whose children have grown and whom they now seldom see. We pray for mothers who are at a distance from their children.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for all the women who have desperately wanted to have children of their own, but chose instead to mother everyone else. We thank God for the mothers in spirit.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for all those who have bandaged our wounds, who have cared for us when we were sick, those who have been there in our time of need as you are nurturing God and so we lift up to you today those in our community in need of your healing touch…
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for women leaders in Aboriginal communities who seek to provide a protective environment for children, and whose commitment is to work for a healthy place for children to live and grow.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

We pray for those troubled by the prospect of motherhood, perhaps too soon, or too few resources to care for a child.
We offer our prayers to you, Mothering God.

Mothering God, we offer these prayers to you this day. Hear the prayers of our own hearts as we continue to pray the inclusive version of the prayer that Jesus taught us;

Our Mother and Father who are 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn – “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”

Would you bless our homes and families, source of life who calls us here;
In our world of stress and tension teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;
Teach us when we face our troubles, love’s expressed in many ways.

When our way is undemanding, let us use the time that’s ours
To delight in simple pleasures, sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking and a heavy path we plod,
Teach us trust in one another and in you, our gracious God.

From the homes in which we’re nurtured, with the love that shapes us there,
Teach us, God, to claim as family everyone whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer, may we in your love remain;
May the love we share in families be alive to praise your name.

Let us reach beyond the boundaries of our daily though and care
Till the family you have chosen spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;
Teach us when we face our troubles love’s expressed in many ways.

Benediction

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.
Go now in the comfort and peace of the One who created us.
Go in the assurance that the Comforter is with us always.
Go to give comfort and peace to others.

Divine Wisdom guide us as we go forth on Her paths of peace.
May she give us blessings more precious than silver or gold.
May we find joy in sharing these blessings with others.
May Wisdom empower us to change our world! Amen.

Response – “May the Blessing of God Be Upon You”

May the blessing of God be upon you.
May God’s love light all your way.
May the grace of Christ enfold you. And peace around you stay.
May the Spirit of God dwell within you. May you live in joy each day.