Imagine 6

Imagine that all
Will learn the love
That accepts people
Who are different
As human
And worthy
Of being loved.

Imagine 5

Imagine that wars
Will cease to be,
And all people
Around the world
Will learn to live
Together in peace.

Imagine 4

Imagine there is
Clothing enough
For all people,
And  no one
Need worry again
About covering
Their bodies.

Imagine 3

Imagine shelter
For all people,
Enough that
No one ever
Need be homeless.

Imagine 2

Imagine there is food
Enough for all
And no one
Ever goes hungry
Or thirrsty;
For all will have.
What they need.

Imagine 1

For the New Year
Let us imagine
That a better world
Is coming to us ;
A world
Where all people
Will learn peace.,

Two Birth Announcements

Two birth announcements:

From:  Mary and Joseph
Born: a son
Name: Jesus;  Hebrew: Yeshua
Place: Bethlehem, a stable
         Every place was taken.  At least it was private.
Date:  not known, no calendar
Weight: not sure, no scales available, but he
         appears to be normal.



From: Yahweh
Born: a Son
Name: Yeshua
Place: Bethlehem; a stable
Date: no calendar - does it matter?
Weight: normal
Note to all:  this is the One destined.
He will save all those who will believe and
follow, living the way He will teach.

More

More than the baby
Laid in the manger,
He grew up
And we cannot
Keep Him there.

More than the teacher
Or the healer
Of the sick,
He moved on,
And we cannot
Find Him there.

More than anything
We can think of ;
Lord and Savour
Of the world,
Loving all people,
Look and find Him
Everywhere.

Nativity

It was there in a stable
That Mary had a baby
And laid Him in a manger ;
And Joseph was there,  too.

Shepherds were told
About the birth
And came there to worship
But Joseph was there,  too.

Wise men came
To worship the new born child,
And brought rich gifts ;
Joseph was there,  too.

Christmas

Christmas ishere, have you prepared for the celebration?   Do you know  the joy of the day and why we celebrate this day?  Do you know that love took human form centuries ago to show us how to live in love with the world around us?  Christmas is here,  do any of us know how to celebrate and why the celebration?   Come,  let us sing our songs of joy  THIS day!

Love

Love,
Come down
In form of flesh,
As a man.
Love,
Given new meaning,
New spirit,
Because God
Cared for me.
Love,
In form
And substance
Of the babe
In Bethlehem.

Christmas Ours?

Is Christmas ours
All year long?
Do we let the spirit
Of Christmas
Be always ours?
Is the gift of love
Given at Christmas
Ours all year long?
And is the joy
Of Jesus ' birth ours
At all times?

Christmas 1997

Celebrate Christmas
And be joyful inin;
But don't forget
The baby that was born
So many years ago.

Give the gifts
To one another
But didn't forget
The  greatest gift
That was given  -  in love.

Gifts for the World (continued)

Freedom from War:

Freedom to live without the fear of bullets or bombs coming in and destroying all that has been built and destroying many lives.   Can we ever learn to live together in peace and love?

Freedom to live :

Freedom to live where we want and with whom we want and no one to tell us we are wrong.  How long will it take for us to learn how to live this way?

Freedom to be :

Freedom to be who we are without question or other people condemning us.   How long will it take for this to happen?

Freedom to love :

Freedom to love who we are truly attracted to without someone telling us how wrong we are to love that person.  Can we ever learn to let others love whoever is best for them?

Freedom to worship :

Freedom to worship in the way that is best for who they are.   No one has the right to tell anybody how they are to worship and pray.

Freedom

Freedom to be who they are.   And let nobody tell you that you can't be your authentic self because that is a lie! You and all people were created as you are right now.

Gifts for the World

As ws give each other gifts,  let us think about gifts we should give to th world :

Freedom from hunger
Freedom from being homeless
Freedom from fear
Freedom from hatred
Freedom from war
Freedom to live

More freedoms :

Freedom to be
Freedom to love
Freedom to worship
Freedom!

Freedom from hunger :
Can we learn to make sure everybody has enough to eat?   We have the ability to do this,  will weever do it?

Freedom from being homeless :

There are ways to make sure that all people have a safe and secure place to live.   Will we ever start to make sure that all have a dwelling of their own that they want and like?

Freedom from fear :

All people should be able to live without being afraid of being attacked just because they are "different" from others.

Freedom from hatred :

Freedom to see that all people are beloved children of  God.   Will we ever learn this truth? Wil we ever learn to treat each other in God's love?

Light 7

Come, know
That the light
Once became flesh
And dwelt among us
To show us all
How to live
Together
In God's love.

Light 6

And the light
Was bright
in the night sky
Showing Magi
Where the baby
Could be found.

Light 5

The light was bright
As angels sang
And told shepherds
About the birth
And where the baby
Would be found.

Light 4

The light shown out
Marking the place
Where the baby lay
Showing the people
Where to go
To find that special
Baby boy.

Light 3

It's a baby born
In a stable
Who brings light
Into the world.
And all people
Around the world
Will hear
Of that birth.

Light 2

And light has come
Into our world
To banish the dark
That surrounded us.
Sing and celebrate
The love shown
In that light.

Light 1

Come and see
The Word of God
Made flesh
And dwelling with us.
Know that here
You now see
God's love for all
In human form.

Mary

She could have said,
      But Lord, why me?
       There are so many
       That are richer
      And more powerful
      Than I,
      Why choose me?
Bht instead she accepted
And let it happen
As God would have it.

Christmas Questions

Christmas is coming soon, are you prepared?  Are you ready for the celebration?   It is the time we have chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus,  are you  ready for the party,  a special party for He who came to set us free from hate and division and to show us what love really is and how to love others without conditions.   Are we all ready for the unexpected from God?   Who knows,  God might just turn up as a woman this time.   We must be prepared for the unexpected from God both in who is accepted and loved and who is not. 

So,  are we ready for the unexpected from God?   Will we be able to know God in human form this time?   How many will turn away if God appears to us in a way that doesn't meet our approval?   And will we be able to tell who the person really is?  Are we listening for the voice of God inside of each of us?  Will we be able to hear that voice if the person is not who we expect?  Christmas is coming, are we really prepared?

Come Christmas

Come Christmas!   Come here to us and live within us all!  Come Christmas and show us what you really are and teach us how to live in that love shown so many years ago! Come Christmas and help us all to see that all people are children of God and loved, for we do forget that when trouble comes. Come Christmas and show us what love really is!

Return?

Werho knows when
Christ will return
And in what form?
Baby or Man,
God incarnate,
Unexpectedly
He comes to us
To show us all
What love is.

The Magi

Who knows when
The Magj came
To find a newborn  king ?
They followed the star
To Bethlehem
And there found
The King of all.

The Star

Who knows when
A star brightened
The night sky?
It was there
To lead Magi
To [the place
Where Jesus was.

The Shepherds

Who knows when
The shepherds came
To see a new born child?
But to a stable
They went
To see the child
The angels told.

Angels

Who knows when
The angels' song
Came out of the sky?
But they were there
To tell the shepherds
About the birth
Of a special child.

Birth

Who knows when
The baby Jesus
Was born
Into our lives?
The only truth
Is that our lives
Were forever changed
By that one birth.

Hope

Hope     for Rev Micah(Gina) Hartung

Isaiah 40:31
Come to me in hope,
For in me
You will find strength.
I will always
Be near you,
And with me
You will never
Be weary.

Matt 11:28
Bring all your burdens
Here to me,
For in me is rest.
I am always near
And will help all
Who come to me
In faith and trust.

Matt 11:29-30
Hope in me,
For my burdens
Are much lighter.
With me your souls
Will find the rest
That they need,
For here you
Will find gentleness
And all the love
That you need.

John 14:27
Keep your hope in me,
For I will give you
Such complete peace
That can never
Be taken away from you.
I will always
Be near you
And my love
Always is yours.

Gen2:19. Is 1:6-9

God created
All that is ;
And there shall come
A time when all
Shall learn to live
Together in peace.

Come, see,
The wolf and lamb
Laying together
And the lion and calf
Laying together
Without hurt or harm.

God of all,
Help us to see
That you created
Everything that is
Forgive us
When we forget
That the wolf and coyote
Are as much a part
Of your creation
As the lamb and goat.
Show us the way
To that place
Where all your creatures
Will live together
In peace and harmony.

Come, know,.
God is  near us all
Forgiving us
And ready to lead us
To that place of peace.

All creatures
Of the air and sea
And of the land
Are creations of God,
Who loves them all.

And a small child
Shall lead them all
To that place
Of safety.
Go in peace
Remembering
God loves all creation!

I Wonder

I wonder if God cries
Over the way we treat
The world created for us
To use and enjoy?

I wonder if God cries
Over the way we treat
The folks around us
Oppressing and hurting each other?

I wonder if God cries
Over the hatred and wars
Seen upon this world
And the lack of love?

I wonder if God cries,
Are the raindrops tears?

Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine,
Show the world
What God's love
Is all about.

Come all people
And seek
The Lord of light!

Loving God,
Forgive us
For not letting
Our light shine.
Forgive us
For the darkness
Along the road.
Forgive us
When strangers
Turn away
Because they
Cannot see
To find the way.
Help us to learn
How to let our light
Shine out brightly.

And God is here
With us,
Ready to show us all
How to light up
Our world.

Matt 5:13
Be the salt
To your part
Of the earth
And help the people
Find the peace
And love they need.

Matt 5:14-16
Set your light
To glowing bright
And set high
In a lighthouse
So that when
The storms of life
Come along,
Those along the way
Will know
The right way to go.

Come, light up
Your part of the world
So that all people
Will know how to find
The path of life.

This can be used as a service of worship.

Power

There is a lot of power in love, yet we don't know how to use it properly.   Just look around the world and you will see that people are  being  oppressed because they are too different from the others around.   And we have always feared the different ones among us.   We need to remember that All people are children of God, who loves them.   And in this season, learn to love as Jesus taught.

Waiting

Waiting, waiting
For God to come
To us all ;
When, oh when
Will the waiting end?

But look and see,
God is here, now.
Among us is dwelling
The spirit of God
Giving to all
Love and peace.

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2008

What has happened
To love your neighbor
Wherever they are?
What has happened
To seeing all people
As precious children of God?
With wars all around,
What has happened
To peace on earth?

Christmas 2009h

Jesus was born
Into this world
To show us
How to live in love.
Just imagine
What could happen
If we all lived in love
As Jesus did.?

Waiting

Waiting impatiently
For God to come.
When oh when
Will the waiting end?
Yet look there
On eastern horizon,
A light there
A promise of God
Coming to us all!
So wait for the coming!

A Promise

A promiise
Of love ;
A promise
Of justice ;
A promise
Of peace ;
A promise
Of of plenty
Given to all
People.
A promise
Wrapped
In swaddling clothes
And lying.
In a manger.

Give Christmas

"Give Christmas"
Terry Lee Ousley / (C) 1999 Ousley Music / BMI

Lord, let me give Christmas to someone each day this year.
Let me give the Spirit of Your love
And spread good cheer.
We don't need a tree or electric lights;
When the Light of the World lights up our lives
The joy of Christmastime is always near!

I do love the Christmas season --
Decorating and parties and jingle bells;
All the shopping for the perfect presents;
Holiday movies and Holiday smells!
But the gift I want to give this year
And give without delay
Is the gift of Love that was given to us
On that very first Christmas Day!

Lord, let me give Christmas to someone each day this year.
Let me give the Spirit of Your love
And spread good cheer.
We don't need a tree or electric lights;
When the Light of the World lights up our lives
The joy of Christmastime is always near!

Find God

Look at the manger
And the word
Made flesh.
And yet also
Look wifhin,
For there, also
The word of God
Dwells.

Waiting

Waiting, waiting,
For God to come
To us all ;
When, oh when
Will the waiting end?

But look and see ;
God loves us is here now.
Among us is dwelling
The spirit of God ;
Giving to all
Love and peace.

God is There

God is There

Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.

Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.

Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.

Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!

Comfort

Comfort the people,
Tell them all
That God is here!

Comfort the people,
Say  to them
That God is love!

Comfort the people,
And feed them,
For all are God's! 

Walk >n the Light

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.

Questions for Christmas

Where is our stable?
Where is God doing the unexpected in our world?
Who is God working with that we think should be left out or ignored? God is always on the side of the downtrodden and oppressed, which of the groups we look down upon is God working with and among?
We really dare not turn anybody away, for all are God's children and loved. 
Can we learn this before Jesus returns?

Thank You 7

Thank you God
For families who care
For each other.
Thank you God
For friends so dear,
Living far and near.
Thank you God
For the love
You give to all.
And thank you God
For the life we have.

Christmas

Christmas is coming
Sooner than I want.
I cannot find
The joy of it
Anywhere.
I walk along
Finding nothing
But sadness
Everywhere I look.
Oh Lord,
Help me to find
The joy and celebration
Of Christmas.

Thank you 6

Thank you,  dear God,
For music that calms
And satisfies  something
Deep within me.

A Goal

Love one another  , 
This should be
Our highest goal.

Love one another 
And do not stint
In any way.

Love one another, 
Even those
You would like to hate.

Love one another
And always God
Will walk with you..

Thank You 5

For food to eat
That is carefully prepared
And ghiven to each,
We thank you,
Tender God.

Some Questions

God is near,
Why should we fear?
God is talking,
When shall we hear?
God is helping,
Will we accept help?
God is loving,
Will we reach out for love?

Thank You 4

For friends near and far, 
And all so dear, 
I thank you for them,
Gracious God.

Do We

Do we show
God's love
For all people
In all we do?

Do we tell
All people
That we meet
That God's love
Is theirs?

Do we live
As if God
Dwells with us
In love?

Thank You 3

For family given
That cares about
What happens to me,
Thank you,
Loving God.

Stop, Help

Stop and think
Before you think
That the words
That you say
Might not hurt
The others  that are
Around you.

Help one another,
Pray for others,
That their burdens
Might be made lighter.

Thank You 2

Thank you,  loving God,
For beds to sleep in
And a good night's sleep
With blankets
To keep us warm.

I Said A Prayer

I said a prayer for you today,
And asked God to guide you
In the path that you should go
And keep you safe and sound.

I said a prayer for you today
And told God that I cared for you.
I asked for health and happiness
And that you should know love.

I said a prayer for you today
And asked God to dwell
Within your heart and soul
Each and every day.

I said a prayer for you today
And asked that you have help
In your daily life
To know what you should do.

Push

Problems with life?
Worries everywhere?
Stop for a while
And say a prayer.

Troubles abounding?
Seems no one cares?
Sit down awhile ;
Just keep praying.

Still having problems?
Stop a moment
And just push  -
Pray Until Something Happens!

Thank You 1

Thank you God
For mangy things,
A place to stay
And folks
To take care
Of me and others.
We all are kept safe
From harm.

God Loves

God loves us all
In spite of who we are!

God loves us all
Even when we do not deserve it!

God loves us all
Because we are His children!

God loves us all
Just  because....

Family

All of God's children
Together praising in song
And letting
The whole world know
That we belong to God. We
And we are loved!

Adopted
Into God's family
Given love
Unconditionally.

Let

Let them come
Unto me
For I love them.

Let them come,
Do not hinder
These small ones.

Let them come
And come with them
And in me find love.

Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine,
Show the world
What God's love
Is all about.

Come all people
And seek
The Lord of light

Loving God,
Forgive us
For not letting
Our light shine.
Forgive us
For the darkness
Along the road.
Forgive us
When strangers
Turn away
Because they
Cannot see
To find the way.
Help us to learn
How to let our light
Shine out brightly.

And God is here
With us,
Ready to show us all
How to light up
Our world.

Matt 5:13
Be the salt
To your part
Of the earth
And help the people
Find the peace
And love they need.

Matt 5:14-16
Set your light
To glowing bright
And set high
In a lighthouse
So that when
The storms of life
Come along,
Those along the way
Will know
The right way to go

Come, light up
Your part of the world
So that all people
Will know how to find
The path of life.

Gifts

What gifts have I?
How can I best serve
You,  my Lord?
What can I do
To help your people?
And how do I show
Your love
For all people?

Look

Look at me,
See me,
I am here
And alive,
I am human.

Look at me,
See me,
I need love
Just like
Everyone else.

Look at me,
See me,
For I am also
A child
Of a loving God.

Hope

Hope for the dawn,
For the day's starting.
Hope for the living
And the healing that comes.
Hope for the coming
Of the God
Who loves all.

We Are the Same

We Are The Same
Terry Lee Ousley / copyright 1999 Ousley Music / BMI

Verse 1
The buzz-word of today seems to be "diversity":
celebrating everything that is different from me!
We get so wrapped up in the words we say
We forget about the message Jesus sent our way:
"Be true unto God and make love your middle name,
and remember in your spirit where it counts we are the same."

Chorus:
We are one in the Spirit, one in Christ;
One body, many members, each unique in God's eyes.
You can be different, you don't have to change
Just as long as in your spirit where it counts we are the same.

Verse 2
You can call God "Father", "Parent", or "Mother"
But the Great I Am is still God, there ain't no other!
Call Jesus "Savior", "Lord", or "the Christ"
But the Redeemer of the World is still the only way to life!
You can say "Holy Spirit", "Holy Ghost", or "Ms. Thang";
Just be sure that in your spirit where it counts we are the same!

Chorus:
We are one in the Spirit, one in Christ;
One body, many members, each unique in God's eyes.
You can be different, you don't have to change
Just as long as in your spirit where it counts we are the same.

Verse 3
You can worship at High Mass or roll down the aisles;
You can speak with "other tongues" or sit there and smile!
Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal too -
Just get Jesus in your heart, that's what you need to do!
Be Alliance, Methodist, or MCC in name
Just as long as in your spirit where it counts we are the same!

Chorus:
We are one in the Spirit, one in Christ;
One body, many members, each unique in God's eyes.
You can be different, you don't have to change
Just as long as in your spirit where it counts we are the same.

Children

Save the children.
Let them live
A peaceful life
That is  long
And free from fear.

Save the children,
And help them see
That all other people
Have also a right
To love.

Blessed

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.

Come i Joy

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.

Safety

     Once again,the darkness has tried to overcome
us.  And fear is there because we do not know what
is there in the dark; and we cannot see the path. All
our prayers for help seem to rise into emptiness.
Where has our place of safety gone?
     Then in the darkness, a small light comes toward
us.  And again we can see where to go and where to
walk in safety.  As we look, we find that our prayers
have been answered, for our guide and carrier of the
light is Jesus.  And we find safety again.

Service for Worship - Creation

Gen 2:19; Is 11:6-9

God created
All that is
And there shall come
A time when all
Shall learn to live
Together in peace.

Come, see,
Ths wolf and lamb
Laying together
And the lion and calf
Being together
Without hurt or  harm.

God of all,
Help us to see
That you created
Everything that is.
Forgive us
When we fotget
That the wolf and coyote
Are as much a part
Of your creation
As ths lamb and  goat.
Show us the way
To that place
Where all your  creatures
Will live together
In peace and harmony.

Come, know,
God is near us all
Forgiving us
And ready to lead us
To that place of peace.

All creatures
Of the air and sea
And of the land
Are creations of God,
Who loves them all.

And a small child
Will lead them all
To fhat place
Of safety.
Go in peace
Remembering  -
God loves all creation!

The Dark

The dark came near
And threatened
To overwhelm me.
But God was there
And hel me tight
Within loving arms
Until the darkness
In my soul
Went away.

One People

One People for Rev Troy Perry

Isaiah 6:3-8
Let all nations
Come to me
For all people
Are mine.
No one will be
Turned away.
All who come,
No matter who they are
Will be accepted.

John 17:21-23
Let all become
One people,
And know the love
That is theirs to have.
Let all divisions
Go away,
For all are mine.

I Corinthians 8:6
I am here for you,
I gave you life
And all my love
Is yours to have.
I sent Jesus
That you might
Know what love is.

Ephesians 4:4-6
And as you are
All mine,
You should be
One people,
One in spirit
And body;
For you have
One hope,
One baptism,
And one love.

I Sing of God

I Sing of God              for Marsha Stevens

Psalm 28:7
Come, listen to me
As I sing for joy
Of our God,
Who gives strength
To all people.
I am protected,
And help is mine
Because God
Loves me!

Romans 8:1
And I will sing
Of the God
Who does not
Condem me,
But loves me
As I am.
And I am with Jesus,
Who dwells within me.
And love is
Always there.

Romans 8:28,31
I am called to sing,
To tell all people
Of a loving God,
Who dwells within
And wishes good
For all people.
And with God
On our side,
There is no one
Who can keep us
From being free.

Galatians 5:1
And I sing of freedom,
Given to us by God
Through Jesus.
We need not turn
Again to those
Who would enslave us,
Because God is there,
And has set us free.

Philippians 1:6
Some day,
My work will be done,
God will come,
And Jesus will be there.
I will sing praises
Of the God
Who freed me.
Love is always mine
And there is none
Who can take that
Away from me.
I have that promise
From God.

God Keeps Me Safe

God Keeps me safe                 for Rick Peterson

Psalm 23
My God
Is my protector,
And is always near
Through good times
And the bad,
Ready to help
And strengthen,
And keep me safe.

Psalm 27
At all times
Of my life,
God is near me
To give me light.
I need not fear,
For my God
Is always with me
Even when my enemies
Are all around me.
I am always safe
In those arms.

Psalm 84
And I will live safely
In the house of God.
There is beauty there
That is greater
Than any other place
That I know,
And I long
To dwell there,
For my true home
Is there.

Psalm 121
God is always near,
And watches over me,
Keeping me safe.
At all times
And in all places,
God is there
And does not sleep,
That I will be
Kept always safe.

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 is.

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!

Good News

This is the good news,
God loves us all
As we are right now.
And that love
Is always ours
No matter
What we do
Or where we go.
There is nothing or no one
That can change
This fact,
God loves all!

Special

YOU are special!  You are the only one like you that has
ever been or will be. There will never be another like
you, for God made you to be unique.  So let no one tell
you who or what you must be. Just be the best you that
you can be.

You ARE special!  You are the only one exactly like you,
so be the best of who you are.  Let no one try to tell
you who you are or dictate to you how you should act. 
Just be who you are.

You are SPECIAL!  There is only one like you, and God
loves you just the way you are.  For you are the only
one with your particular set of genetics and talents.

God is There

Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.

Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.

Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.

Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!

Mistakes

Making mistakes,
Going the wrong way,
Even though
The way is marked.

Making mistakes,
Big and little errors,
Even when we are
Shown the right.

Making mistakes,
Running away
From everything
That is good.

Yet God is there,
Waiting for us,
Wanting to show us
The way home.

The Promise

Psalm 27:1
Hear the promise of God:
I will be with you
To give you light.
Do not fear,
For I will always
Be near you
To give you strength
In time of need.

Isaiah  2:4
And in time,
If you will listen,
I will show you all
How to live together
In peace and love.
All war implements
Will be destroyed,
And you all will have
All that you need
For a better life.

Luke 1:78-79
And in that time,
I will turn your darkness
Into light
And show all of you
The path of peace.
My mercy and light
Will be there
For all of you,
For all of you are mine.

The Outcast

I am the outcast,
But Jesus calls me,
And holds out
His hand to me.

I am  an outcast,
Yet Jesus loves me
Just as I am
Right at this moment.

I am  no longer outcast,
For I have found
That I am always
A child of God.

To Forgive

To Forgive yourself
Is to find the way
To inner peace.

To forgive others
Is to find the way
To love.

Love All

Love all people,
Make no differences
Between them,
For our God
Loves all the same
And sees none
That are  better
Than any other.

Influence

Under the influence
Of what?
Things of the world
Or of heaven?
Will we have
Abundant life
Or the material things
That make up
Our lives?
What do we
Let influence
Our lives?

Don't

Don't ignore me,
I am here
And I am human,
Just like you!

Don't ignore me,
I am alive
And I have needs
Just like you.

Don't pretend
That I do not exist
Or that God
Did not make me.

Don't ignore me
Just love me
As I am
This day.

Made by

Butterflies in flight, 
Wings spread wide
Beauty in the light,
Made by God.

See the baby
Learning to  walk
Becoming a person
Made by God.

See the people
Dancing and singing
Each of them special,
Made by God.

Live

Live in love
And spread love
Abroad.

Live in love
And help others
Find love.

Live in love
And love will be there
For you.

Waiting

Waiting, waiting
For God to come
To us all ;
When, oh when
Will the waiting end?

But look and see;
God is here,  now.
Among us is dwelling
The spirit of God
Giving to all
Love and peace.

2 Shorts

Because God created
All  people,
All of thsm
Are my people.
Come with me
And see
God's vreat love
For all of us!!    

Do you want
To see God?
Look deep  within!

Give Love

Give love away,
Do not
Hold it tight,
For only
If it is given away
Can it come back
To you.

God Keeps Me Safe

God Keeps me safe                 for Rick Peterson

Psalm 23
My God
Is my protector,
And is always near
Through good times
And the bad,
Ready to help
And strengthen,
And keep me safe.

Psalm 27
At all times
Of my life,
God is near me
To give me light.
I need not fear,
For my God
Is always with me
Even when my enemies
Are all around me.
I am always safe
In those arms.

Psalm 84
And I will live safely
In the house of God.
There is beauty there
That is greater
Than any other place
That I know,
And I long
To dwell there,
For my true home
Is there.

Psalm 121
God is always near,
And watches over me,
Keeping me safe.
At all times
And in all places,
God is there
And does not sleep,
That I will be
Kept always safe.

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 is.

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!

Called

Called      For Rev Jim Lynch  August 1, 2003

Isaiah 61:1
God has come
To dwell with me
And has called me
To preach abroad
The good news
Of love
To all people
That I meet,
For all people
Are God's.

Romans 1:16
I glory
In the good news
That I preach to all,
For here is
Salvation
For all people,
Near and far.

Romans 8:28
God is with me
Now and always,
Nor will I ever
Be left alone.
I will boast of this
To the whole world,
And always tell
Of God's great love for all.

2 Tim 1:7
God is here with me,
And gives me
The power of love,
That I might
Spread abroad
The good news
Of that love
That is there
For all people.

Questions

Can we live
As Jesus lived?
Can we live
In the freedom
That God gave
To us all?
Or will we once again
Turn around
To all those things
That enslave
Us all?

The Family of God

Why  do we seem to always need somebody to put down.   What is it in the human spirit that rejects those who are different?

The family of God,
Brothers and sisters
Together,
Together in peace
And love.
And all our differences
Mean nothing
At all.

Loved

Come with me
And learn
Of the One
Who loves us all
And calls us
By name
And tells all
That we  are
Beloved.

Surprise!

Surprise!
God is here,
Working among us.

Surprise!
God is doing
The  unexpected.

Surprise!
God is loving
Each one of us.

Hungry

Hungry
For food.

Hungry
For companionship.

Hungry
For friendship.

Hungry
For love.

Hungry
For God.

Thoughts on Rainbows

Thoughts about Rainbows:
Recently, I have been considering rainbows and how some people seem to
glow whenever you see them.  Knowing how I can sometimes be grey or
even black in mood, I wondered how that could be.

I did a lot of driving in my work and in my personal life.  It just
happened that I was driving to Springfield on a mostly cloudy day.  The
clouds were grey and white, but being mostly grey.  I happened to look
at some of the clouds, and noticed parts of a rainbow on the clouds. 
This fascinated me, and I noticed that as the clouds moved, the parts
of the rainbow would show up again in different places.  It then occured
to me that the clouds had to be in just the right place in relation to
the sun.  Never mind that the clouds seemed to be grey, the water in
them was clear, and just the right spot for rainbows, even parts of them.
It occured to me that the people that I had noticed must have something
similar, that is the person must be in just the right place in relation
to God.  And when God's Love shines through us, glory happens!  And if
we really let God's Love show, those around us cannot help but notice.

Rainbow

We are rainbow people,
Called to declare
That God's love
Is always there
For all people.
Look up and see,
Rainbows are there
And God is near,
Loving all people.

Link to Mac's Pac

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1782360525313995/

Cigarette butts and medicine cups

Cigarette butts and medicine cups
And other debris of our lives
In among the plants we put
Around our buildings.   
We clean them up
But still they persist,
Cigarette butts and medicine cups.
Yet the plants persist in among
The debris of our lives 
And the concrete and asphalt
Of our cities and towns, growing
In every crack they can find
Giving color to our lives
And always defeating
Cigarette butts and medicine cups.
So look around you now
And see the colors put there
For all people to enjoy,
Giving pleasure in spite of
Cigarette butts and medicine cups.

Always

Always
God is there
Waiting
For us to turn
To Him,
Hands outstretched
In love.

Love

Love :
Such a simple word,
Yet so hard, at times, 
To say.
So fraught
With dangers
And misunderstandings.
Yet it is so important
To life,
For life and is meaningless
Without love.

Free

Free to be
Who I am.
No one
To tell me
That I must be
Either this or that.
Free to be
Myself.

Who Cares?

I am drowning in fear,
Is there any who cares?
I am oppressed and beaten down,
Is there anyone there?
It is dark and I cannot see
To find the way to go,
Where is there anyone
Who cares?

Yet step back and look,
For Chriist is there, waiting,,
His hands outstretched in love
Wanting to show us
Ghat He cares.

God's love

So many won't accept God's love. Many times it is  because someone has told them that God does not lovs them because of who they are.  The Bible is quoted as proof, chapter and verse.   Thus ears are closed to the truth, and we close God out,  needlessly.   For God's love is there for us,, always and there is no one who can take that love away from any of us.

Surprise

Surprise!
God loves you!
And isn't it a marvel
That God should care
About what happens
To you and I!

Prayer #3

God,  I need your help,
Come to me , I pray..
For I m blind
And cannot see
Wbither I am going.
So come to me
And take my hand
And take me home with you 
That I live forever
In heaven above with you.
   Written 1964

God is Near

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7u9n5hadm2uzn6y/God%20is%20Near.docx?dl=0

God Is There

God is There

Psalm 23
God is with me,
There to protect
And to show me
Which way to go.
In good times
Or in the bad,
God is there
And will not
Leave me alone.

Isaiah 56:1-8
God is there for me
And for all people
From all nations
Who come together
In love and fellowship,
Loving one another.
Many are called
From other places
To be here
Where God is,
Where love is.

Matt 28:18-20
As God is there for us,
We are called
To go out to the world
And tell all people
Of the love of God
Shown us in Jesus.

Acts 2:1-4
And God's Spirit
Descends on me,
Leading me to go
And tell the world
Of the love
That is there for them.

Acts 10:9-15
The message
That I was given
Is this:
God's Love
Is for all people
And no one
Will be turned away.
All people are loved
And all are God's!

Love

Love               for Joel Maderer

Ruth 1:16-17
There is love
Between us.
Don't ask me
To leave this place,
For where you are
Is where
I want to be.

I Corinthians 13
Come in love,
Come and see
What love is.
Let us all learn
About love
And learn to share
That love abroad.

I Corinthians 13:1-3
I am a person,
A child of God,
But even if
I can speak
Many languages
Or become
The best preacher,
And there is no love,
It is all for nothing.

I Corinthians 13:4-7
If I have love,
I have learned
To be patient
With those around me.
Kindness and gentleness
Are a part of my life,
And I treat other people
With such care
That they know
That God is
Always with me.

I Corinthians 13:8-10
Love is always
A part of my life.
All other gifts
Such as speaking
Or knowledge
Are temporary,
And will pass away,
But love is
Always there for me.

I Corinthians 13:11-12
I once was a child,
And had childish ways,
But now I have
Given that up.
I see now
As through a mirror,
But one day
I will meet God,
And see completely
All that is,
And know completely
What love is.

I Corinthians 13:13
Faith is here with me,
And I do believe.
I hope for all
That is to come,
A better life for all.
But Love abides forever
And is the greatest of all.

 

Jesus Is There

The care taken
For the person
Who needs help;
Jesus is there.

The hand held out
To help the one
With an unsteady step;
Jesus is there.

The love given
To the stranger
In your midst;
Jesus is there.

God With Mr

God with Me

Psalm 139:1-18
Oh my God,
You are always with me.
Wherever I go,
You are there.
Your hand always
Upholds me.
Awake or asleep,
You are near me.

Psalm 139:19-24
You are so much
With me
That I hate any
Who say they hate you.
Help me, my God,
And lead me home
To where you are.
I awake and look,
You are near me.

Isaiah 43
And God speaks
To me and says:
"I created you
And I am always
With you.
I will call you
By your name
And keep you safe.
All my children
I will bring back
From where they are.
I am God,
And I love them all."

Luke 18:18-25
"Even when the world
Pulls you away,
I am still there,
Waiting for you
To realize
How much I love you."

Romans 8:31-39
And with God near,
There is no one
Who can come between.
God is always
There for me,
Wherever I might go,
And that love
Is always mine,
Whatever I might do.

Kingdom of Love

     Hope for the Kingdom of love, which shall come. 
It is in this kingdom that all shall live in peace,
nor shall any put down any other.  No person will be
made to feel that they are less than any other person. 
And God's love will be there for all, for all are His
children. 
     Work for the Kingdom of love and let all people
know that God's love is there for them.  This is what
Christmas is all about, God's love made manifest,
walking among the people, showing all how they were
to live in peace. 
     Live as Christ did, loving all people, sharing
God's love with all, and the kingdom will come sooner. 
For the more we live in love and in Christ, the more
the kingdom is present in this world.  And let God's
love flow through us all out to the whole world, that
all the world will know God and His love.

Hope

Hope     for Rev Micah(Gina) Hartung

Isaiah 40:31
Come to me in hope,
For in me
You will find strength.
I will always
Be near you,
And with me
You will never
Be weary.

Matt 11:28
Bring all your burdens
Here to me,
For in me is rest.
I am always near
And will help all
Who come to me
In faith and trust.

Matt 11:29-30
Hope in me,
For my burdens
Are much lighter.
With me your souls
Will find the rest
That they need,
For here you
Will find gentleness
And all the love
That you need.

John 14:27
Keep your hope in me,
For I will give you
Such complete peace
That can never
Be taken away from you.
I will always
Be near you
And my love
Always is yours.

Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

Call to worship:
Let your light shine,
Show the world
What God's love
Is all about.

*

Call to prayer:
Come all people
And seek
The Lord of light!

Prayer:
Loving God,
Forgive us
For not letting
Our light shine.
Forgive us
For the darkness
Along the road.
Forgive us
When strangers
Turn away
Because they
Cannot see
To find the way.
Help us to learn
How to let our light
Shine out brightly.

And God is here
With us,
Ready to show us all
How to light up
Our world.

*

Matt 5:13
Be the salt
To your part
Of the earth
And help the people
Find the peace
And love they need.

Matt 5:14-16
Set your light
To glowing bright
And set high
In a lighthouse
So that when
The storms of life
Come along,
Those along the way
Will know
The right way to go.

Charge and benediction:
Come, light up
Your part of the world
So that all people
Will know how to find
The path of life.

God Keeps Me Safe

God Keeps me safe                 for Rick Peterson

Psalm 23
My God
Is my protector,
And is always near
Through good times
And the bad,
Ready to help
And strengthen,
And keep me safe.

Psalm 27
At all times
Of my life,
God is near me
To give me light.
I need not fear,
For my God
Is always with me
Even when my enemies
Are all around me.
I am always safe
In those arms.

Psalm 84
And I will live safely
In the house of God.
There is beauty there
That is greater
Than any other place
That I know,
And I long
To dwell there,
For my true home
Is there.

Psalm 121
God is always near,
And watches over me,
Keeping me safe.
At all times
And in all places,
God is there
And does not sleep,
That I will be
Kept always safe.

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 is.

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!

Blessed

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.

3 PRAYERS 3

Oh God, immerse me so much in your love that there is no one
who I can hate or think can be outside of your love.  Fill me
so full of your love that no matter who the others are or what
they believe, I will remember that your love is theirs, also,
even when they disagree with me.  Help me to love others, for
it is so much easier to love family and friends than to love
others who are so much different.AMEN

3 PRAYERS 2

Dear God, I'm sorry, but I'm not doing as well as I should. I
there are still some people who I would like to
hate, or at least think that you do not love them. These people
think too differently than I do, and I cannot handle that.
Remind me again that those who are different in any way are
still your children, created by you. Help me always to remember
that your love cannot be restricted to just some people, but
is inclusive of all. Stay always near me, and help me to learn
your love. AMEN

3 PRAYERS 1

Loving God, thank you for reminding me every day that you do
love me.  But you also remind me that you love all other people,
too.  You have told me that it does not matter what people
look like, who they are or what they believe.  You told me
that you still claim them as your children, and you love all
of them.  You have said again and again that there is no one
who is outside of your love.  Please keep reminding me until
it is so much a part of me that there is no one who I can hate, 
for I do not want to ever do anything that is outside of what
you want. AMEN

We Need

All we need is love,
To see us through.
And if we will
Link together in love,
There is nothing
That can overcome us.

God With Me

God with Me

Psalm 139:1-18
Oh my God,
You are always with me.
Wherever I go,
You are there.
Your hand always
Upholds me.
Awake or asleep,
You are near me.

Psalm 139:19-24
You are so much
With me
That I hate any
Who say they hate you.
Help me, my God,
And lead me home
To where you are.
I awake and look,
You are near me.

Isaiah 43
And God speaks
To me and says:
"I created you
And I am always
With you.
I will call you
By your name
And keep you safe.
All my children
I will bring back
From where they are.
I am God,
And I love them all."

Luke 18:18-25
"Even when the world
Pulls you away,
I am still there,
Waiting for you
To realize
How much I love you."

Romans 8:31-39
And with God near,
There is no one
Who can come between.
God is always
There for me,
Wherever I might go,
And that love
Is always mine,
Whatever I might do.

Blessed

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.

The Promise

The Promise

Psalm 27:1
Hear the promise of God:
I will be with you
To give you light.
Do not fear,
For I will always
Be near you
To give you strength
In time of need.

Isaiah  2:4
And in time,
If you will listen,
I will show you all
How to live together
In peace and love.
All war implements
Will be destroyed,
And you all will have
All that you need
For a better life.

Luke 1:78-79
And in that time,
I will turn your darkness
Into light
And show all of you
The path of peace.
My mercy and light
Will be there
For all of you,
For all of you are mine.

Drinking the Joy

Sitting with the family
That God has given me,
Knowing that He is here,
Loving me.
Drinking in the  joy
That is there
Because God
Is in the midst.

Drinking in the joy,
Enjoying God's presence,
Then spreading the joy
To all around
That God dwells
Among us
And loves us all.

Drinking the joy,
Feasting on God's love
For even me!
Wherever I turn,
He is there,
Loving me
Every day.

What more
Can I do
But to love Him?
For He is everything
To me
And His love
Strengthens
And upholds me.

Drinking the joy,
Feasting on God's love
For all people,
Letting the world know
Of God's for them.

Unexpected

God is always doing the unexpected in this world  foae can find beauty in the most unexpected places. 
And God's love is there when we least expect it.

Love,
So full and free,
There for all people
To have..
We have but
To reach out
And take hold
Of it.
.

Come in Joy

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.

Try

We try and try
To give our all
To God,
But then
We faill
And fall back.
Yet God
Is always there
To help us
When we start
To fall.

Do Not Fear

Do Not Fear

Psalm 27:1-9
God is near me,
I need not fear
Any person,
For the God of love
Is my help and strength.
I will always
Seek the face of God,
To have that help
No other can give me.

John 3:16-17
I sought God,
And found such love
That no one
Can take away from me.
And God's love
Is always there for me
Because Jesus came
To show us all
How to live in love
Without fear
Of anything.

I John 4:16b-21
I found
That God is love,
And there is such love,
That there is no one
Who can make me
Fear anything
For in God's love
There is no fear,
Nor any hate.
Only love dwells
With God.

God Always

For Norma Bell 5/31/03

Psalm 23
God is always with me
In good times and bad,
And when trouble treatens
To overwhelm me,
I turn around
And find that God is there.
Always, I am safe
And always loved.

Psalm 33:1-3
I sing for joy
Of God, my creator!
My voice is raised
In melody
To tell all the world
Of my God,
Who loves me
And all people!

Hope

Hope     for Rev Micah(Gina) Hartung

Isaiah 40:31
Come to me in hope,
For in me
You will find strength.
I will always
Be near you,
And with me
You will never
Be weary.

Matt 11:28
Bring all your burdens
Here to me,
For in me is rest.
I am always near
And will help all
Who come to me
In faith and trust.

Matt 11:29-30
Hope in me,
For my burdens
Are much lighter.
With me your souls
Will find the rest
That they need,
For here you
Will find gentleness
And all the love
That you need.

John 14:27
Keep your hope in me,
For I will give you
Such complete peace
That can never
Be taken away from you.
I will always
Be near you
And my love
Always is yours.

Questions 3

Jesus is a friend; never too busy for any person. 
Do we act as if He is our friend?
How do we treat those we count as friends?
Do we listen for God to speak?
Do we really hear what we are to do?
Do we really trust the other person?
Do we really trust God?
God and Jesus are more than friends – do we act that
way?
Do other people see God and Jesus in us or our
actions?
     summer 2006

So Great

Love so great,
So full
That we cannot
Tell the whole of it.
Love so great
That God
Now dwells
Among us all.
The division between
Exists no more
For God
Is come to us all.

Questions 2

How do we show God's love to all?
How do we get to those who have not heard, to tell them?
What words do we use to convince them that God loves even them?
How do we free them from the prisons that they are in -  that they have built?
How do we show them the way to freedom?  (and love)

God Is Too Great

God is too great for me,
Too big and too full
For me to understand.
I cannot hold the idea
Of so much love within.
So I back away,
Afraid of what
I might find out about
Who this God is.
And I turn away
To the things around me.
God is too great for me,
I cannot see Him,
Or is it Her?
I cannot tell
Which it is.
Oh, it does not matter,
For I find that this
God is too great for me.

Don't

Don't ignore me,
I am here
And I am human,
Just like you!

Don't ignore me,
I am alive
And I have needs
Just like you.

Don't pretend
That I do not exist
Or that God
Did not make me.

Don't ignore me
Just love me
As I am
This day.

Children

Let the children
Come to me
And do not iharm
Any of them, 
For all are mine.
Come to me
And learn of my love
So that that hate
Will never be
A part of you
Again.

Questions 1

So many people feel that they are nothing  - worth  nothing -  where is the love that they may break free from the cycle of paln?
How do we show God's love?
How do we convince people who don't know, that God) oves them?
What path do we take from here?
What iz the God of the burning bush telling us to do?
Who is God going to free from oppression now?

Made

Butterflies in flight, 
Wings spread wide
Beauty in the light,
Made by God.

See the baby
Learning to  walk
Becoming a person
Made by God.

See the people
Dancing and singing
Each of them special,
Made by God.

One

One people,
Unxer God
And no one
Can take us
Away
From God's love
Nor can they
Separate us
One from the other.

Butterflies

Butterflies are free
And so are ae
If we let God
Into our lives.

Butterflies fly free
And so can we
If we can let go
Of our fears.

Love

Love,
God's love
So great
That we cannot
Know
The whole
Of it!

God's Love

God's love is for all people, but how many can't see that love because they have been told that they are too different for God to love?  Yet that is a lie!   For God loves all creation!   Ad no one  is left out of that love.  They may be on  the outside because they don't know or understand that God's love is theirs. Yet God still loves them too.

Celebration!
God's love is there
For all people
No matter who they are!

Family

The family of God,
One people
United in love.
Diverse people
But one
In the love
Of God
For us all.

One people,
One in Christ,
One in the love
Of God
For us all.

The Key

Thd key to it all is love. We need to learn what this love really is, for it is much more than what we think it is.  Thiis love is deeper, fuller and more complete than what we can realize.

Love is the key
To living more fully.
And if we walk
Daily wifh God,
Love will be ours.

Do Not Fear

Do Not Fear

Psalm 27:1-9
God is near me,
I need not fear
Any person,
For the God of love
Is my help and strength.
I will always
Seek the face of God,
To have that help
No other can give me.

John 3:16-17
I sought God,
And found such love
That no one
Can take away from me.
And God's love
Is always there for me
Because Jesus came
To show us all
How to live in love
Without fear
Of anything.

I John 4:16b-21
I found
That God is love,
And there is such love,
That there is no one
Who can make me
Fear anything
For in God's love
There is no fear,
Nor any hate.
Only love dwells
With God.

Challenged

Challenged
To do more
Than what we are.

Challenged
To be more
Than what we have been.

Challenged
To show God's love
To the whole world.

Whatever

People are suffering,
Don't have enough
To have a good life ;
But then the  answer,
"Whatever. "

The floods come
And devastate
Everything around;
But then again,
" Whatever. "

Refugees suffer
And have no place
To call their own
But the world saya,
" Whatever. "

To each and all
God's response comes,
" All are mine, so do
Whatever it takes
To show all my love. "

About Love 2&3

Imagine what could happen if we do what God commanded us.  Especially in the matter of loving all people.

And let no one tell you that God does not lovs you!   Because that is a lie!   God always lkves you!

About Love

No one can take the love of God from any of us.   We may turn away from God,  but that love that God has for us us always there.

Celebration

Celebration!
God's love is ours!
Turn about about and see,
God is there,
Lolving you!

God says :

You are my child,
A unique person
And made in my image.
Come and walk with me
And learn that my love
Is there for you, always.

You are my child
And very precious to me.
I will never desert you,
But I will walk with you
Every day of your life.

Sounds

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tf9i0m6m25fqfvj/Sounds.docx?dl=0

Called

Called to be,
But be what?
Called to do,
But do what?
And when
Will I know
What at my call is?

And how do I know
That I have heard clearly?

Love Is

Love is the key,
Love is the foundation
Of it all..
On God's love
For all people
Is our faith based.

Do We

Do we let God be visible in ouur lives?
Do we really see God?
Do we let the outsider into God's love?
Do we know how to respond to God's invitation?
Do we really want to be healed?
Do we let God reach down and touch us?
Will we learn to see and follow Jesus?
Do we thank God for the gifts we have been given?

Goals

What goals do we have?
What is our focus?
Only look beyond yourself
And see Jesus
Is waiting for you..

What goals do ae have?
Where are we going?
Look around and see
What God is doing
In our world.

What are our goals?
What are we waiting for?
Do we see that God
Is always there
Waiting for us in love!?

What are our goals?
Do we lst God
Help usi  in our lives?
Is Jesus in the center
Of our lives?

Freedom

Freedom :
     From fear,
     From hate.

Freedom :
     From oppression,
     From slavery.

Freedom :  
     In God's name,
     In love.

Whole

Whole,
Dear Lord,
Whole.
After so long
Of fighting
The brokenness within,
I am whole
Because
When I finally
Turnsd wholly to you
You touched me
And made ms
Whole..

Do We

Do we know how to respond to God?
Can we hear God calling us?
Are we staying in touch with God and the church?
Will we respond to God's call or just ignore the voice of God when He calls?
And do we know that God is talking to us?

Help Me

Please help me,  God.
I feel overwhelmed
By all that is  happening
And I need your help 
To cope with it all. 
Please stay ;ear
And give me strength.

Weather

Raging rivers,
Nafure gone wild.
Are we reaping the fruits
Of what we have done?

Strong storms,
Nature gone mad,
We have exploited the earth,
Is this the revenge?

Winds howl,
Nature's gone insane,
Have we taken too much
From the world around?

The Church

Is the church loving itself? 
Is the church loving others?
Is the church loving its neighbors?
Does the church go out and help others?
Is t+the church serving its neighbors?
Is the church remembering that God loves all people?

Prepare

Prepare the people way
And watch
For God comes
Unexpectedly.
Prepare the way
And let
All the world know
All about
God's love.

Do Not

Do not turn away,
See me.
Do not walk away,
Feed me.
Do not ignore me,
Clothe me.
For I am also
God's child.

God Loves

God loves me!
Shout it out aloud :
God loves me!
And I do not
Have to do a thing
To gain that love,
For God loves me
As I am
Right now!

Unique

I am me,
Unique
In all the world.
There is no one else
Quite like me,
For no one else
Quite has
My combination
Of experiences
And genetics.
So here I am,
See me
And accept me
As the special person
That  I am.

The Love of God

The love of God,
Ahh,  how full
And so complete
That we cannot know
The whole of it.
No words of ours
Can begin
To describe
All of that love
For all of us.

Learn to Love

Can we all learn to love one another and accept each other as a child of God?  Or is it already too late for us?  We make too much of differences  between people.  And there is the problem - we make of differences a reason for hatred when hatred should have no place in us.   Can we learn to replace hate with love and redeem the world?

Love is Ours

Love is ours
To have
But only
If we
Give it away.
So come
With me
And let us all
Walk hand in hand
In love
And a world
Redeem.

What Does Jesus Mean to You?

What does Jesus mean to you,  asked a friend of mine one day.
Is He real  or just a dream, and if He's real,
What does He say?
Does He speak and do you listen?
Does He really hear your prayers?
If you're feeling down and lonely, do you think He really cares?

If He's real, there are so many,  how could He have time for you?
So I told  him of my Jesus and I'm sharing it with you.

Chorus :
He's a friend in time of trouble,
He's a shoulder when I cry,
He's a light in time of darkness,
When the road is rough and high,
He's a rugged Rocky Mountain,
He's a mighty rolling sea,
He's a kind and gentle Master,
Yes, He's everything to me.

What does Jesus mean to you,  I am asking you today.
Is He real or just a dream?
Does He listen when you pray?

Yes,  He listens and He answers,
And He cares about your needs.
If you listen,  He is  calling,
Go go Him and let Him lead.

Chorus (twice)
Lyrics and music by Jerry Browning

Help

Oh dear God, 
I need your heelp
This day. 
There's a strorm
Brewing around ms
And I don't feel safe.
Come to me now
And help me
Find peace and safety
In the middle
Of my storm.

As i look around,
I  see Jesus
Standing by my side,
Waiting to hold me
In His arms, 
And ready to keep
Me safe from the storms
Of my life.

Praising God

Be proud of who we are because
God made us as we are.
God blesses us as we are.
God works in our lives to bring us to love.
God is inclusive and loves all people!!

Who are we?

I am who I am, I am who God made me to be.
Do we know who we really are?
Who are we trying to impress?
Are we willing to be associated with Christ?
Are we threatened by what others believe?
Can we shed our bad reputation?
Do we acknowledge Christ appeared first to a woman?
Do we know who our leaders are?
Do we help people learn to trust?
Do we show God's love for all to all we meet?

Witnesses

Do we follow Jesus because of what He did or who He is?
Are we true witnesses?
Do we testify about what we know?
Do we share with others?
Do we know our voice matters?
Do we tell always about God's love for all?

Who Are You?

Be who you are
And do not let others
Tell you anything
About who you are
For God created you
As you are
Right to now!

Family!

All God's children
Together in one place,
Not different any more,
But all one.
In God's love for all
And all are part
Of the family,
Here all are welcome
And loved!

Prisoner

What isolates us?
What did we do wrong?
How does our health isolate us?
Have we been falsely accused of anything?

Freedom

How "Christian" are we?
What is holy?
Can we ever be good enough?
Can we do right ever?
Are we right now?
Are we listening for the voice of God?
Yoke of God =LOVE
Are we free to love all people?
What are   our  "yokes “?

Living

Who matters [the most to us?
Do we have regrets about anything?
Do we let material things rule?
Are we transformed on the inside?
Do we let God bless us?

Closets

Can we learn something new?
Can we learn to  walk in God's love?
Do we listen for God?
Can we come out of our closets?
Do we trust God completely?
Are we ready to leave our closets?
What are we afraid of?

Forgiveness

How often do we turn away from God?
How often do we get stuck and forget to turn to God?
Do we let God is and forgive?
Do we forgive others?

Troubled Soul

What is troubling us at a deeper level?
What do we really need for contentment?
What are we striving for??
Do we knew things are not enough?
Do we waste what we have because heart, soul and mind are not together?
Do we know that will not leave us alone?

My One and Only

What is our throne?
What do we keep hold of?
Can we let go of our fears?
Can we let God take control?
Will we let God rule our lives?
Who is on our throne?
What do you believe?
Can we really follow Jesus?
Will we go where Jesus leaxs?
Who do we trust?
Is our trust strong enough?
Do we know the One who calls us Beloved?

Worthy?

Don't see me,
Don't talk to me,
Leave me alone.
For I am not worthy
Of your attention
God cannot love me.
But comes back,
An answer,
You always
Are  worthy
Of my love
For I am the one
Who created you.

Don't Turn Away

Don't turn away
Don't reject me,
See me as I am
And accept me.

Don't turn away,
Don't tell me
I am not right
Just love me.

Don't turn away,
Lean toward me
And love me
Just as I am.

In Recovery

What are our addictions?
Are they physical or mental?
Do we go back to the same problems?
Do we turn to God for help?
Will we learn to trust God always?

Shine (2 stanzas left off from yesterday)

Shine a light
Through the fog
And guide people
Along the way.

Shine a light
Along f+the path
That all may come
To know God is love.

Shine

Shine your light
Into the dark corners
That all the might see
Which way to go.

Shine a light
In the darkest night
So the lost ones
Can find their way.

God Is

"Joy comes in the morning."

God is in our lives.
God is within each of us.
God calls each of us "Beloved."
God never changes.
So.... Where is God leading?

Gifts from God

For all my friends :

God gave me
The gift of you
And put you here
To let me know
This is where
I am to be!

Somebody's Problem?

Don't you see me
Here beside you?
I am poor
And I have
Many needs
Don't you see me?
Won't you take
The time to help
In my many needs?
Do you hear me,
Will you ever
See me here?
Or will I always be
Somebody else's problem?

Martha and Mary

HAm I  doing what is best for me?
Am  i repeating patterns?
What are the problems?
How do we fix them?
Are we asked the person involved for help?
Are we developing and  building relationships?
Do we take care of visitors?
Are we  too much Martha or too much Mary?

Beloved

Beloved of God,
All of us!
God is always near
Loving all people
No matter  who
They may happen to be.

Surprise

Surprise!
God is here
Working among us.

Surprise!
God is doing
The unexpected.

Surprise!
God is loving
Each one of us.

My Story

How do we walk with God?
How do we talk with God?
Are we open to hearing what the story is?
Do we let God take care?
Are we listening for God to speak?
Do we REALLY know that God loves us all?

Participating?

Are we listening?
Can we answer the questions right?
Can we carry the load?
Do we make the right choices?
Are we watching or participating?
Do we connect with others?

Be Healed

Bring your troubles
Here to God
And let yourself
Be healed.

Take your troubles
And go to God
To the right place
Be healed!

Go Boldly

There is nothing between us and God.
God knows and loves us anyway.
God leads us all.
God blesses us.
God is merciful.
God has amazing Grace.
Go  boldly before God.

Tame the Tongue

Be  careful
What you say
Guard your tongue
That you will not
Say something that will
Destroy another.
Be  careful,
Don't let others
Control
What you think
For that could
Make you hate
And hatred can destroy
And kill..
Let love rule your life
And God will bless
Your life.

Plant

Plant a seed,
And wait to see
What may grow.

Plant a seed,
And see
What happens.

Plant a seed,
And let grow
What is there.

Fear and the Hope

Do we live in fear? What hope have we?
What do we fear?
Do we know how to look to God and Jesus for strength and hope?
Have we learned to trust God's hope?
Do we let people grow in God's love?

God Will Never

God will never
Turn away
From anybody!
Come and see,
Come and know 
That always
God loves you!

Led

I have been led
To this place
To be among
These people
At this time
Of my life.
God, stay with me,
And keep me
On the path
You have given me
And show me
What I am to do..

Look Forward

How many of us look back at the past?
Do we let God do what is needed?
Do we let go and be the ministers were meant to be?
Do we travel the road we are given?

Look Up

Look up, not down,
Look up and see
God's light for all.
Look up and know
God's love is there
For all people!
Look up and share
The joy of life
And of  God's love.

Arrived?

We have arrived or have we?

Are we ready for what comes next?
Will we let God lead?
Will we learn the lessons in what has happened?
Are we ready for the future?
Are we ready to learn a  different way?
Do we know that there are different ways of doing things?
We get   where we are going but there are always more problems  because life intervenes.     Are we ready for that?

Make A Difference

Do something to help
The person near you
Who is so needy.
You may be
The only one
Who sees the need.
Take the time,
Find the way
To make a difference
In a person's life
Every day.

Questions

We all have questions
And wonder always
What is the answer.
But God is near us
To help us live
With and through
All our questions.

Rejoice

In the good times
And in the bad,
Rejoice,
For God is with you!

In your doubts
And in all your fears,
Rejoice,
For God loves you!

People of the Rainbow

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ikpw16r4whx1sa0/service%2027%20-%2028.docx?dl=0

Who is

Who is this Jesus?
Who do we say Jesus is?
How will we answer that question?
Do others see us and know whose ^we are?
Do we show who Jesus is by our actions?
Do we celebrate the diversity given us?

Gifts

God's gifts are unexpected
And ^e laugh
Because we think
It cannot happen,
But in due time
God's good gifts appear.

Feed

Feed the people,
Feed them
With the food
That you have.

Feed the people,
Share abroad
What you have
All around.

Feed the people,
Let them know
That always
God loves them.

Keeper?

Am I
My brother's keeper?
Do >I need to care  about
What happens to my sister?
These questions
Echo down the years
And haunt us still.
But we are not
To be the keeper
Of others
But learn to be
Brothers and sisters
Together in love..

Siblings

Becoming
Brothers and sisters
Learning to live
In peace
With one another.
Learning not to fear
The differences
In others.
Learning to love
People as they are.

Me

5I'm hungry,
Feed  me.
I"m thirsty,
Give me a drink.
I"m lonely,
Hold my hand.
I am God's child,
Accept  me
As the  beautiful person
That I am..

Called to Love ( continued)

Called to Love
And to see
All other people
As brothers and sisters.
Called to Love
And to leave
All our fears behind us
And to always
Love.

Called to Love

We are called to Love
Even those who hate us
And  would see us dead.
We are called to Love
And to care for all those
In trouble.

Shepherd

Shepherd of all
Leading all people
Onward to find
That place of safety,
And the gate is open
Allowing all people
To come inside.

Locksmith

Are our doors locked against all people?
Have we shut down against all?
Are we afraid of who Jesus might be?
Is there a key to our locked doors?
Will we let Jesus be the key?   Or does He have to work around the lock?

Tranzf*

Transform our lives,
Show us the way
That we should go
So that all people
Will find justice.

Open our hearts, oh God,
Show us how to change,
How to think
So that all your children
Might know your love.

Help us

Help us change, oh God,
Show us all your way.
Show us how
To  change ourselves
That all your people
Might know justice.

Me

Remember me
And see me
As I am.

Remember me
And know me
As a person.

Remember me
And know that
God loves me.

Watch

Watch the words
That you say
For even words
Can hurt
And destroy.

Watch your actions,
Be  very careful,
There are others
Watching you.

Do We

When God whispers
And calls by name,
Do we hear that Voice?
Do we really know
That God loves us
And calls us Beloved?

Hope For

Hope for the future
When life call be
Maxe much better.

Hope for what will come
And  we see that
Life can be better.

Hope that Christ will  come
And is already here
Within each of us.

Go Out

Go out to the world,
To the oppressed
And tell them
Of my peace.

Go out to the people
Who have no hope
And show them
What hope there is.

Go out to all
Who live without love
And tell them
About my love.

Treasure?

Where is our treasure?
Is it in things or people?
Can we see God in the others around the us?
Do we see the people who need help? Or are we blind to them all?
Will we be different and turn around and serve the outsider who is ignored by other people?

Remember Me

Remember me
And see me
As I am.

Remember me
And know me
As a person.

Remember me
And know that
God loves me.

Christmas Year Around?

When was Jesus born into our world, really? So many accommodations were made to convert people to Christianity that the real data has been lost.   But what does. that really matter? It's the same spirit, the joy that matters and remembering to treat others with respect.
The real truth of it all is we celebrate that God has  come into our lives to dwell with us. And love is near, whether we know it or not. And there is the celebration, God loves ALL people, no matter who or where they are!

Crossing the Chasm

Are we real in our lives?
Have we become authentic humans?
Do we just talk to God or are we willing to  be with God?
Do we see Jesus as the "bridge"  between people?
Will we build bridges or walls?
Do we welcome others or ignore them?
Do we  bridge the chasms?

A Prayer

Dear God, I  am so saddened by the violence  that happens so often in this world you gave us.  Too many people think that shooting and killing those they don't agree with is the best way to go to make the world the way they want it to be.   Will they ever learn how to love others? Will they ever learn treat others with dignity and respect? I am  so saddened by it all.  Help us all find the way to love and peace. AMEN

Let Us

Come, let us
Gather together
And find ways
To make Peace
Without violence.

Come,  let us
Lay down our guns
And sit down
And together
Talk about peace.
January 2011

I Mourn

And I mourn
The loss of life
That has been
Inflicted upon us.
For any murder
Hurts us al6
And brings us down.
Ahh, I mourn.the destruction
Of these valuable lives.

Go Out

Go out to the world,
To the oppressed
And tell them
Of my peace.

Go out to the people
Who have no hope
And show them
What hope there is.

Go out to all
Who live without love
And tell them
About my love.

God Knows

God is near
All of us
And does
What is best
For each.
We  question
Why things
Happen as they do,
But God knows best
What we really need.

The Different

, Touch the different,
Don't be afraid,
For they
Are  much like you.
Touch the different,
Hug them,
God  loves them too.

Touch

Touch me, hug me
Don't be afraid  of  me
Just because
I am different.
God loves me
Just as
I am.

All People

 To follow Christ - love one another and feed one another. This is not just for those who all go to the same church as we, but also for all the rest of creation. We dare not turn any away, for if we do, we may find ourselves on the outside looking in.

All people are God's people, the creation of His hands. God loves all creation, all people.There is no difference between the people. All are His sheep.

Hos to Tell??

 How do we tell people that God's love is for all people? There are those who don't want to hear that the outcasts, the lepers of the world are loved as much as the rest of us are. How do we get the message across to those who don't want to hear?