But Lord, they're black.
You don't mean to say
That I should care about
Such as they!
But Lord, they're gay.*
You couldn't have
Created these people
As they are!
But Lord, they're different.
You can't mean
That I should love them
Just as they are!
*book by Rev Sylvia Pennington
added later:
But Lord, they're asexual.
You couldn't have
Made these people
As they say they are!
Let us dare to dream
Of a day that will come
When all people
Will finally be free.
As we dare to dream
Let us pass the dream
Outward to others
That they will be free.
We dare to dream
That all people
Will one day be free
To be who they are.
Dare to pass the dream
Outward to other people.
For they have a right
To dream of freedom, too.
“I am tired,” I said out loud. As I put myself to bed, I heard a voice that said, “relax and rest, get some sleep, for tomorrow will be a better day for you. Rest and regain your strength, Beloved child, and I will be here, watching, keeping you safe. Tomorrow I will help you better deal with the problems that come your way. Rest and sleep, Beloved. "
God Leads me For Rev Deanna Jaworski
Psalm 23:1
God is always with me
To protect and lead me
In the paths
Where I should go,
And God's love
Always is mine.
Matt 22:37-40
And if I would follow
God as leader and shepherd,
Love for God
And for all others
That I meet along the way
Is my greatest law.
Romans 8:28
The One who leads me,
Calls me onward
To tell all others
Of the love
That is always there for me.
For that love is there
For all people
And no one is ever
Left out.
Heb 4:15, 16
If I follow
Where God leads me,
I will find myself
At the throne;
And God’s grace
And mercy will be mine.
And there is no one
Who can take that
Away from me, ever!
Heb 12:1, 2
Jesus is there for me,
Always ready to help.
Love always is mine
And God will never
Turn me away.
Such joy is mine,
That God dwells with me
And always leads me!
I wore a pink triangle
Because I was too different
From the rest of the world.
I wore a pink triangle
In a concentration camp
Because of who I was.
I wore a pink triangle
And died very painfully
Because of hate and fear.
I wore a pink triangle
Just simply because
I was gay.
I wore a pink triangle
Because I was too different
From the rest of the world.
I wore a pink triangle
In a concentration camp
Because of who I was.
I wore a pink triangle
And died very painfully
Because of hate and fear.
I wore a pink triangle
Just simply because
I was gay.
God Always
John 1:1-5
God has always
Been there
And brings light
To my life
And all others
Who will believe.
And in that light
Is life,
And the dark
Can never
Overwhelm me.
Romans 8:28
And God is there,
Loving all people,
And working for good
For all of us.
And again,
I find safety,
For God's love
Keeps me secure
And I am called
To walk in those paths
That will lead me
Onward to where God dwells.
Psalm 150
And I praise God!
With everything
That exists
I will ever praise God,
Who keeps me safe.
Love is mine!
Let all the world know
That God loves me
And all other people!
Come in Joy for Jerry Browning March 2003
Psalm 16:9-11
Come, follow me,
And I will lead you
In the paths of life.
In my presence is joy,
And I will keep you
Secure and safe,
And you will know
That always, I love you.I will
John 15:11-17
Come in joy,
Knowing that my love
Is always there.
Pass my love on
To one another
And your joy
Will be more full.
John 16:19-22
I will turn
All your sorrow
Into such joy
That no one
Can take it away
From you.
Just look and see,
I am always there,
Waiting for you.
John 16:23-24
Come to me,
And ask of God
For whatever you want
And in my name
It will be given
That your joy
May be full.
John 16:31-33
Come in joy,
Knowing that you
Are united to me.
Be at peace,
For no matter
What you may suffer
At the hands
Of the world,
I am with you
And I have defeated
This world.
John 17:6-19
Holy God, you are
Mother and Father
To all here.
You have given
Them to me.
Help them to live
Together in unity
And in love
For each other.
John 17:20-26
I also pray
For those yet to come,
That they might
Always be one,
Just as we are.
Show them your glory,
That all may know
Of the love
That has been there
From the beginning.
Help those to come
To always know
The joy
Of your presence.
It's a living, breathing miracle.
That my heart forgot to see.
It’s always been a miracle
But I thought it could not be…
A miracle.
Now all of life’s a miracle
And God’s hand is there, you see.
No matter what you may believe,
Still all that’s come to be
Is a miracle!
It’s God who made the miracle,
The plants, the animals, the bee,
And creating you and me,
So look around and see…
Life’s a miracle!
See the rugged,
For only Snow- capped mountains
Reaching for the sky.
See the deep, green valleys
Laying far beneath
See the rolling plains and prairies
Stretching onward mile by mile
See all the signs and know;
God is working – here.
QSee the trees growing upward
See the green grass beneath.
See the glowing flowers
With all the colors
Of the rainbow.
Look all around you now
And know that again:
God is working – here.
See the small streams
And the wide rivers
Flowing onward to the sea.
See the wider sea
And the restless waves
Beating on the shoreline.
See all this and remember:
God is working – here.
See the people gather,
Young and old, short and tall.
See them in all colors
And all persuasions
Mixing freely all around.
See all of this
And always remember:
God is working – here.
Feel the wind a blowing
Wherever it will
See the rain coming down
Always upon one and all.
See the bright sun shine
Every day, even through the clouds.
Look around you day by day
And know that always and ever:
God is working – here.
Service 9 7-4-00
Call to worship:
From sandy deserts
To the snow-capped mountains,
God is working - yet.
From the rolling plains
To the prairies:
God is working – yet.
Call to prayer:
There is beauty
All around us
That we do not see.
But God is working yet
Creating life all around us.
Prayer:
Loving God,
Forgive us
When we do not see
The beauty all around us.
Forgive us
When we destroy
Instead of preserving.
Forgive us
When we do not realize
That you are creating yet
Each and every day
God is near,
Forgiving us all
And loving us yet.
In all things
Can God’s hand be seen.
The world that we see
Is beautiful
And shows that
In all places
God is working – yet.
Charge:
Go out into the world
And look around you
To really see the beauty
And find where
God is working – now.
Benediction:
God’s peace and love
Be with you always
And remember:
God is working – always.
Written after a visit to Glacier National Park July 2000
Walk in the Light
I John 1:5-7
Come with me,
Walk with me
In the light
Of God's love.
There is no darkness
When we walk
Always with God.
I John 2:9-11
Come and see,
There is no hate here
And the darkness
Has no place.
Here there is
Only light and love,
And any who hate
Have no place here.
I John 3:1-3
And if we are
Of the light,
We are called
Children of God.
Ah, such love
That is there
For us all
That God should
Come to us
And call us by name
And tell us
That we are
Children of God.
I John 4:11-12
Because we are
Children of God,
We should love
One another.
And in the light
Of that love
We will learn
Who God is,
For God will dwell
Always with us.
God loves me!
There is no doubt
About it,
God loves me!
And in that knowledge
I am sure that
God loves all people
Around the world!!
When
Having troubles,
Praying for help
And there seems
No answer?
Think when
Not if!
Need a healing
For your spirit
And you don't feel
God hears?
Think when,
Not if!
Looking for someone
Who really cares
That you exist?
Think now,
Not never
And think God!
Walk with God
Is 2:2-3
God walks with us
And leads us all
Along the paths
That will lead us
To the house of God.
Let us walk in faith,
Knowing that God
Is always there.
Is 40:31
When God walks with us,
Our strength will be
All that we ever need,
And there will be
No weariness
If we stay in faith
On the paths
Where God leads us.
John 8:12
If we walk with God,
Jesus will always
Be with us.
And there will be
No darkness,
For there is light
Wherever Jesus is.
2 Cor 5:7
When we walk
In faith with God,
We will know
That there is always
Someone with us,
Even if we do not see.
Walk always in faith,
Knowing that God
Is always near,
Loving us all.
God Created all that is
And loves all.
N o;e has a right
To tell another person
That God does not
Love them.
Come, Sing for Joy
For Rev Deb Cox
Psalms 30:4-5
Sing to God,
Let your praise
Be heard!
God is near
And always loves you.
And there’ll be
Joy in the morning
For God
Will be there.
Psalms 126:3-6
Come, sing with joy,
For our God
Has done great things
For us all.
And there will be
Shouts of joy
As we come
Home.
Isaiah 12:3-6
Come with joy
And praise God
Who has given
Salvation to all.
Come, sing praise
And let the world
Know God’s love.
Isaiah 42:10-12
Sing your praises
And let the whole world
Hear your songs.
Let us all sing
Praises of God!
John 16:20-22
Come and see,
Come and hear,
That there will come
A great day
When all our mourning
Will be turned
Into great joy,
Joy that no one
Can ever take away.
Romans 8:35-38
And then comes
Our greatest joy –
That there is
Nothing or no one
That can ever
Separate any of us
From God’s love
Shown in Jesus.
Blessed for Mary Jean Golden
Matt 5:3-5
Blessed are
The poor
And all oppressed.
All are God's people
And love and blessings
Are theirs.
Matt 5:6-9
Blessed are
All people of God
Who seek the best
For all around them;
For always
They are Children
Of God.
Matt 5:10-12
Blesed are
Those who do not
Turn aside,
Even when
The world intrudes
And tries to make them
Go another way.
Rejoice, for God
Is always with you.
7
Love is the key to it all
Love is the power
That makes the world
A better place.
Love is God's gift
To us all.
Joshua 1:9
I will go with God
And where I am led
Without any fear,
For it is God
Who gives me
Strength to follow.
Joshua 24:15
I will always
Go with God.
Come with me
And my family
And always
Walk with God.
Isaiah 61
As I go with God,
I am also led
To tell all people
Who are around
All about the joy
And freedom
That following Yahweh
Brings to all people.
Romans 8:1-2
As I go the way
God leads me,
I find that
I no longer need fear
Being condemned
Because I go always
With Jesus.
Romans 8:31-39
And because I go with God,
I know that love
Is greater, fuller
Than I can ever tell.
For there is no one
Or nothing
That can separate me
From the love
God has for me,
For God has told me
That I am Beloved.
I John 1:5
And as we go with God,
We will walk in the light,
For with God,
There can be no darkness
Of any kind,
Because God is all light.
Come with me
And walk in the light
And love of God
And always know
That you are Beloved.
For Rev Roland Stringfellow
Bible used:
The Inclusive Bible
Eagle's Wings
for Edward Curtis 4/5/04
Isaiah 40:30-31
I get weary,
And my body tires,
But God is with me
And His love
Surrounds me always
So that it does not
Matter what condition
My body is in,
I will soar
On eagle's wings
Because God
Upholds me always.
Galatians 6:14
Though I fly high
On eagle's wings,
You, oh Lord,
Are the wind
Beneath my wings,
The strength
That upholds me.
I have no cause
To boast in anything
But your great love
That has been shown
In Jesus.
Philipians 4:13
Because you, Lord,
Dwell with me always,
I can do whatever
Is needed.
Because you give
Me the strength
And all the love
That I shall ever need,
I will fly high
Above the troubles
That try to overset me.
Blest and Happy for Rev Barbara Peter
Matt 5:3
Blest are you
Who keep your spirit
Open and clear
To hear God's word.
Be happy,
For the Kingdom of Heaven
Shall be yours!
Matt 5:4
Blest are you
Who are burdened
With sorrow
For all the world.
Be happy,
For comfort
Shall be yours.
Matt 5:5
Blest are you
Who are gentle
In spirit.
Be happy,
For all the earth
Shall be yours.
Matt 5:6
Blest are you
Whose greatest desire
Is to see the right
And good done.
Be happy,
For you can
Make it happen.
Matt 5:7
Blest are you
When you care deeply
About what happens
To other people.
Be happy,
And know that
Others will care
What happens
To you.
Matt 5:8
Blest are you
Who keep
Your heart and soul
Clear and clean.
Be happy,
For you shall know
That God
Is always near.
Matt 5:9
Blest are you
Who look for ways
To make peace.
Be happy,
For you will be
Known as
A Child of God.
I am tired with many troubles,
Come help me, God..
I need your healing hand,
Come touch me, God.
Please do not leave me alone
Stay with me and hold me,
Telling me you love me oh God.
Help me now now, loving God.
Joshua 1:9
I will go with God
And where I am led
Without any fear,
For it is God
Who gives me
Strength to follow.
Joshua 24:15
I will always
Go with God.
Come with me
And my family
And always
Walk with God.
Isaiah 61
As I go with God,
I am also led
To tell all people
Who are around
All about the joy
And freedom
That following Yahweh
Brings to all people.
Romans 8:1-2
As I go the way
God leads me,
I find that
I no longer need fear
Being condemned
Because I go always
With Jesus.
Romans 8:31-39
And because I go with God,
I know that love
Is greater, fuller
Than I can ever tell.
For there is no one
Or nothing
That can separate me
From the love
God has for me,
For God has told me
That I am Beloved.
I John 1:5
And as we go with God,
We will walk in the light,
For with God,
There can be no darkness
Of any kind,
Because God is all light.
Come with me
And walk in the light
And love of God
And always know
That you are Beloved.
For Rev Roland Stringfellow
Bible used:
The Inclusive Bible
God is Near
for Carol Houston
Psalm 139 :1 -6
Oh my God,
You are always near.
You know completely.
Who I am,
And always
Dwell with me.
I do not understand
Such a love
As that.
Psalm139:7 -10
There is nowhere
That I can go
That you are not
With me.
You are always near
To show me
Which way to go
And you will never
Let me go on alone.
Psalm 139:11-16
Even the darkest
Of the nights
Cannot hide me
From you.
And it is you
Who created me,
And made me
Who I am today.
Psalm139:17-18
Awake or asleep ,
You, oh God,
Are with me.
I cannot comprehend
Such a love as that
And what the number
Of your ideas are.
Matt 22:37-40
And I come to this,
Loving you with all
That I am.
And because you
Made all that its,
Loving my neighbors
As I love myself.
And in this ,
I fulfill
All your laws ,
And you will
Stay always near me.
Help, Oh God
for Joe Mackey
Psalm 39:1
Help me, oh God,
That I might
Learn to watch
What I say.
Help me to control
My tongue and my brain
That what I say
Will not hurt another.
Romans 7:21
You, oh God,
Are my help
To keep me
From the wrong
That I would do
Or from saying
Anything that would
Hurt another.
I want to say and do
Only the good,
But without you near,
I have no strength
To walk in the right.
Ephesians 2:8-9
It is you, oh God,
Who has come to me
And by your grace,
Saved me.
You have shown me
The way to go,
That is not of anything
That I might do
But only
Through faith in you.
Titus 3:5
Oh my God,
I often do or say
The wrong things.
But through your mercy,
I am saved
And your spirit dwells
Always with me.
Hebrews 4:14-16
And now I can
Approach your throne
With confidence,
Because Jesus has come
And shown me the way.
Always grace
And mercy are mine,
Because I believe
That Jesus is your Son,
And He shows me the way
That is best,
And your help and love
Always is mine.
God is Love
Psalm 52:8-9
I thrive here
In God's house
Because I know
And trust
That God's love
Is always there for me
And all people
Around the world.
Psalm 144:1-3
It is God who loves me
And has built me
A fortress
And a strong wall
For refuge.
Who are we
That our God
Should love us
So much?
Isaiah 56:2-5
Blessed are those
Who follow
God's commandments
And let justice reign.
Those who are faithful,
No matter who
They may be,
Will never
Be turned away
From God's love.
I John 4:7-12
God is love,
And those who love,
Know who God is.
And since God
Loves all people,
So should we
Love all people.
I John 4:13-21
If we live in love
For all people
We will find
God's love
Is always there.
We dare not
Hate any person,
For God loves all.
The Children of One God
Jerry Browning
We have wandered through the desert like the chosen of God did
We have lived in dark confusion like the face of God was hid
We have searched to find our Sinai while the world kept closing doors
Far too many chose to turn away, gave up and searched no more.
They chose to live in silence, in the darkness of their dreams
In solitude and oneness and in loneliness it seems
Then the light came to a chosen few and wounds began to heal
The time was right, the truths of God began to be revealed.
CHORUS:
We are children of one God Who made humanity from clay
We are worthy, we are loved, we’re whosoevers who’ve been saved
And we join our hands to form a ring around the world
We are loved, we are the children of one God.
There was a sound to follow, flute and drum began to play
The lady and the troubadour stepped out to lead the way
They carried truth and light into the darkest of the nights
And eyes began to open, wrongs began to be made right.
One by one, at first with caution, children stepped into the light
Joining hands in quiet boldness, standing firm in heaven’s light
Then a hundred came to join them, pretty soon a thousand more
And the children of one God stood where they never stood before.
CHORUS:
I
Children of one God
We are children
Of the one God,
And we are loved.
God is working,
Helping all of us;
And always, we are loved.
Come and see,
Our God wills good
For us all
When we will
Turn away
From all the wrongs
That we do.
God, forgive us
When we turn away
From you
And refuse to see
All people
As your children.
Forgive us
When we turn
Others away
And try to make them
Less than what they are.
Forgive us
When we forget
That your love
Is there for all,
Teach us and help us remember
That you created
All that we see
Around us.
God is near,
Accepting all people
As children
And forgiving us
When we come back
To those loving arms.
Go out into the world
And look around you
And see that those
That are around you
Are all children of God.
Walk in peace and love
With all people
And know
That God loves you.
Worship service - Pride: Who I Am
7-4-0
I am who I am,
I am who God
Made me to be!
I am who I am,
And no one can take
That away from me!
God is here,
Waiting for us
In love.
When will we turn
And accept the gift
That is offered?
Dear God, forgive us
When we turn away
And do not see
That it is you
Who created us
As we are.
Forgive us
When we do not
Understand
That you are
A part of us.
Forgive us
When we make others
To be less
Than what they really are.
Help us to see
That all people
Are yours.
God is here and says:
"I forgive all
Who truly turn to me;
For all people are mine,
For I have created
All that is."
I am who God
Made me to be.
It is God
Who made everything
That I see around me.
Come and see
That you are God's child.
Go out and tell
All that you meet
All about God's love
For them.
Go in peace and love,
Remembering that all people
That you see
Are God's children.
Note: "Jesus Loves Me" or other hymns about God's love for us should be used for this service. For the call to worship, the phrase "Praise be to God" can be added after the first 3 lines and again after the last 3. You may use as much or as little of this as is desired or needed for your service.
Hey God, I am here, and I want to talk to you. I don't mind being
here in this life, and most of the time, I don't mind being who I am.
But dear God, I am so oppressed! Why did you make me to be so
different from everybody else? Differences are just not accepted
here. Once people know that a person is different, they turn away or
make it hard for that different one to live. Some have even been
beaten or killed! Why God? Why can't people accept me as I am? Why must they continually be trying to change me? Why did you make me as I am?
Service 11
7-16-00
Call to worship:
Hey! God's love
Is mine to have!
Halleluia!
Listen! I do not
Have to change
To gain that love!
Praise God!
*
Confession of sin:
Call to prayer:
God's love is ours,
But we turn away
And will not hear
The truth
That is ours to have.
Prayer of Confession:
Dear God,
We have been told
That you love us,
But then we hear
Other, darker voices
Telling us that you
Do not want us near.
Forgive us
When we believe them
And turn away from you.
Help us to see
That always and ever
You love us all.
Pardon:
God is near at hand,
Waiting in love
For us to turn around
And accept
That love is always
Ours to have.
*
Celebrate!
For God is here,
With us and loving us!
Always and ever,
We are God's children!
*
Charge:
Go out into the world
Remembering that always
God's love is yours.
Spread that love
To all people
That you meet.
Benediction:
Walk in love
And be at peace
For God loves you,
Always.
* hymns or sermon. Communion - may be added just before charge and Benediction.
Note: This is not built around any particular bible verse, but John 3:16,17 can be used with this one. Hymns used could be those that celebrate God's love for all people. Use as little or as much as you want.
Flame
There’s a flame rising
Out of our souls,
Beware and watch,
See how it grows!
It is the flame of freedom,
No longer oppressed;
Watch out world,
We have been freed!
