Flame

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!

Service 1

God's love
Is here for all!
R: No one is left out
Of that love!
A: Praise the Lord!

Bible verse: Psalm 117
And that everlasting Love
Is ours to have.
Reach out and take hold.

Bible verse: John 3:16, 1 7
The world is God's,
And so are we!
For-it is a loving God
That created all!

Bible verse: I John 4:7-12
Can we learn
And remember:
God is love,
Not hate?
*
We have not learned
Enough about love;
God, forgive us.
We turn away
From those in need;
God, forgive us.
We hoard love
As if it were ours alone;
God forgive us.
We let fear and apathy
Rule our lives;
God, forgive us.

And God speaks:
You too are my children,
I do not turn you away;
For my love
Is there for all
Who truly turn to me.
*
Sing and dance
And celebrate!
Spread the word;
God's love is here
And is for all people.
Let the world know
The whole of it
And that this love
Is free for all!!

God is here for us
And loves us all,
Just as we are.
Go in love
And walk in love
Always.


Written 1999
1st use: First Pres, Decatur, IL
Some changes made.

Shine A Light

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

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

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

Shine a light
Along the path
That all may come
To know God's love.

Forgiving

Forgiving myself
For not doing.
What I should have done.

Forgiving myself
For not going
For help sooner.

Forgiving myself
For not speaking
My own truth.

Forgiving myself
And I find
I am loved..

Reaction to events - Nov 25, 2014

And I cry salty tears
Because of all
The violence and oppression
That I see on this world.
Why can't we all
Learn to live side by side
In peace and harmony?
Why do we have
To kill our youngsters?
What is there in us
That makes violence
Against those who are
Different from us possible?
Why do we always
Seem to need to react
In violence?

Some Questions

What is our throne?
Who is on our throne?
What do we keep hold of?
Can we let go of our fears?
Can we let God rule?
Can we really follow Jesus?
Will we go where Jesus leads?
Who do we trust?
Do we know the One who calls us "Beloved"?

Butterflies

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.

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.

But Lord

 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!

First Service

                    Praise Service

Psalm 34:1-3

L: I will bless my God at all times;

R: Praise will be continually in my mouth.

L: My soul makes its boast in my God;

R: Let the afflicted hear and be glad.

L: O magnify our God with me,

R: Let us exalt that name together.

suggested hymn:

"This is My Father's World"

suggested Bible verses:

Romans 8:35-39

John 1:1-5

Possibly a praise poem or song here.

Hymn:

"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"

Comment:

A thousand tongues are not enough to tell of the glory and

majesty of God.  And with love and mercy so great that God

came down to be as one of us, die, then live again to bring

us wholly to God.  We have but to accept this freely given

gift of love to find true life that never dies.

Hymn:

"Because He Lives"

Comment:

Because Jesus died, but rose again and lives now, we can face

all our tomorrows.  We have but to reach out and take hold of

the hand that He holds out to us. Jesus is always there for

us if we will let Him into our lives.

Special Music:

"Child of God" by Jerry Browning

Comment:

We are all of us children of God.  No one is ever turned way

from that love.  Jesus did not just die for some people, He

died for all people, then rose again, making ALL of us

children of God.

Offering:

We are given so much love and mercy by God.  Do we dare not

give back a return on that love?  For it is in the giving

that we show God's love for all.  And not just in the giving

of money, but in time and energy.  We need to learn to be

active in our showing people about God's love.  How else will

they believe us?

confession:

Lord, we say we love you, and worship you, but so many times

we try to break free and follow our own paths instead of

traveling the way you try to lead us.   We turn our backs on

the love and mercy you would give us and so many times refuse

others access.

communion Hymn:

"Here, O My Lord"

             (if only 1 verse, use verse 4)

invitation:

All are free to come and partake.  For God turns no one away

from the love and mercy that is evident in Jesus Christ.  Just

accept that love and mercy and come here to the table to

partake with us all.  ALL are welcome here.

end with a song of praise, leave the service singing.

                    Praise Service

Psalm 34:1-3

L: I will bless my God at all times;

R: Praise will be continually in my mouth.

L: My soul makes its boast in my God;

R: Let the afflicted hear and be glad.

L: O magnify our God with me,

R: Let us exalt that name together.

suggested hymn:

"This is My Father's World"

suggested Bible verses:

Romans 8:35-39

John 1:1-5

Possibly a praise poem or song here.

Hymn:

"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"

Comment:

A thousand tongues are not enough to tell of the glory and

majesty of God.  And with love and mercy so great that God

came down to be as one of us, die, then live again to bring

us wholly to God.  We have but to accept this freely given

gift of love to find true life that never dies.

Hymn:

"Because He Lives"

Comment:

Because Jesus died, but rose again and lives now, we can face

all our tomorrows.  We have but to reach out and take hold of

the hand that He holds out to us. Jesus is always there for

us if we will let Him into our lives.

Special Music:

"Child of God" by Jerry Browning

Comment:

We are all of us children of God.  No one is ever turned way

from that love.  Jesus did not just die for some people, He

died for all people, then rose again, making ALL of us

children of God.

Offering:

We are given so much love and mercy by God.  Do we dare not

give back a return on that love?  For it is in the giving

that we show God's love for all.  And not just in the giving

of money, but in time and energy.  We need to learn to be

active in our showing people about God's love.  How else will

they believe us?

confession:

Lord, we say we love you, and worship you, but so many times

we try to break free and follow our own paths instead of

traveling the way you try to lead us.   We turn our backs on

the love and mercy you would give us and so many times refuse

others access.

communion Hymn:

"Here, O My Lord"

             (if only 1 verse, use verse 4)

invitation:

All are free to come and partake.  For God turns no one away

from the love and mercy that is evident in Jesus Christ.  Just

accept that love and mercy and come here to the table to

partake with us all.  ALL are welcome here.

end with a song of praise, leave the service singing.

Don't See

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 an answer ;
You always are worthy
Of my love
For I Am the One
Who created you
Just as you are.

Don't Turn

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

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

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

Greatness

Who is the greatest?
Which one of us
Will be the leader?
We've got to know
Before it is too late!

Who is the greatest?
Come, let  us talk
And figure this out,
For we need to know
Who will lead.

But God comes along
And turns the question
On its ear for us
And tells us all
To become as a child.

Whoever would be leader
. Must become as a child
For the servant of all
In God's plan
Will be the leader of all.