Gathering Our Spirit to God's Spirit

The glass tube sits right on top of the beginning of the yellow brick road. The helix of soda straws extends out the top and across the room.

• “The Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles plays
• A Journeyer steps up to light the lamp and another rings the bell
• David (E) and Leslie (L) make announcements

Worshiping with Our Children

• A Journeyer leads our children in talking about how sometimes sad things happen-- we move, we lose a friend or things change in our family. Being sad is okay. God knows our sadness and helps us heal so we may continue on the beautiful path to joy and meaning.

Welcome and Breathe

• David welcomes, has us breathe…

From Our Spirit to God's Spirit

• “Laughing With” video by Regina Spektor plays
• David recaps and talks about today’s theme
• A Journeyer reads Genesis 35:16-21 (New Living Translation)
• Another Journeyer reads Romans 8:35-39 (New Living Translation)
• Renee (E) and Dave (L) lead the community in singing “Before the Throne of God”

Giving -- To Help God Do God's Work in This World

• A Journeyer leads an offertory prayer
• David (E) and Dave (L) sing Jon Foreman’s “Cure For the Pain” as the ushers pass the baskets and then bring them to the foot of the cross

Telling The Story and Our Story

• Rick talks
• Slideshow to “Beyond These Shores” by Iona plays (from Rick)

Go Out to Serve with Mercy and Grace

• David leads the community in reading a Journey responsive prayer

Reader: Can anything ever separate us from God’s love?

Journey: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Reader: Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have troubles or calamity, or can’t pay our bills or forgive our ex-spouses? What if we get arrested, or we break a promise to our children or parents? What if we lose sight of what is really important in our world, and fall into the trap of thinking it is all about us?

Journey: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Reader: What if we believe the wrong thing or trust the wrong person? What If we have been blessed but we selfishly refuse to bless others? Sometimes we pre-judge, or we make ourselves judge and jury. Does that mean we have blown it for good?

Journey: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love

Reader: What about the rising crime rate, the falling stock market, the spreading swine flu pandemic, the escalating Middle East tensions, the climbing gas prices, the discouraging housing market, the mind-boggling violence in schools and the popularity of American Idol?

Journey: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love

Reader: Cancer, floods, tornados, HIV, poverty, hunger, war and death -- they all threaten to make me sad, overwhelmed, discouraged and full of questions, wracked with doubt.

Journey: And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN!

• David dismisses
• “The Long and Winding Road” plays again as folks depart