Gathering Our Spirit with God's Spirit

Last week’s decorations can stay. Signs are all around the room, seating stations, etc. Each one has a different feel – water, candles, sand, wood, stones, whatever. In this case, though, there is bright, bright light and whiteness in the center of the room. 

• “Within You, Without You” by the Beatles plays
• A Journeyer steps up to light the lamp and another rings the bell
• Cory (E) and Leslie (L) make announcements

Worshiping with Our Children

• A Journeyer leads our children in talking about how the Bible says that God created us in the image of God – God made us to be like God – and that makes each one of us -- and all of us -- more special than we can ever imagine. 

Welcome and Breathe

• Rick (E), Leslie (L) welcome community
• Rick introduces new series
• Take a breath...

God’s Spirit and Our Spirit

• Five Journeyers read from Genesis [After this, there are NO words on screen for the rest of worship.]

Reader One:  In the beginning of everything that exists, God created everything – the skies and the planets. At first the earth was chaos, and dark, and darkness covered the face of the deep dark places, and the spirit of God swept over the face of the waters. And then God said, “Light.” And light broke in. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” 

Reader Two:  God created day, and night. And the sun came up, and the sun went down. And God said, “Sky.” So there were rain and clouds above, and seas and rivers below. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down. And God said, “Land.” And God called the land “earth.” 

Reader Three:  God said “Plants.” And there were trees and fruit and seeds and shrubs and flowers. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down. And God said, “Sun and moon and stars.” And so there were lights in the sky – the sun for day, the moon and stars for night. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down. 

Reader Four:  God said, “Fish and birds.” And every kind of fish in the sea and winged creature in the air appeared.And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down. And God said, “Animals.” And so there were mammals and reptiles and insects of every kind. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” 

Reader Five:  And then God said, “Let us make people who look like us, who are like us. And let them be the crowning achievement of what we are doing.” So, God created people – like God, in the image of God, male and female. And God blessed them. And God said, “This is exactly as I hoped it would be. This is very good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down.

• Rick asks discussion question: what can feel like it separates us from God, and from our true image?
• We sing “More Love, More Power”
• “Namaste” music loop begins, and runs continuously until the end of worship 
• “Potter working clay” loop runs on video
• A Journeyer reads Psalm 139; during it, “Genesis 9” loop plays

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. 
I'm an open book to you; 
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. 
I look behind me and you're there, 
then up ahead and you're there, too— 
your reassuring presence, coming and going. 
This is too much, too wonderful— 
I can't take it all in! 
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? 
to be out of your sight? 
If I climb to the sky, you're there! 
If I go underground, you're there! 
If I flew on morning's wings 
to the far western horizon, 
You'd find me in a minute— 
you're already there waiting! 
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! 
At night I'm immersed in the light!" 
It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; 
night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you. 
You shaped me first inside, then out; 
you formed me in my mother's womb. 
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! 
Body and soul, I am marvelously made! 
I worship in adoration—what a creation!

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

• A Journeyer reads a quotation from St. Francis of Assisi

I think God might be a little prejudiced.
For once He asked me to join Him on a walk
through this world,
and we gazed into every heart on this earth,
and I noticed He lingered a bit longer
before any face that was weeping,
and before any eyes that were laughing.
And sometimes when we passed a soul in worship
God too would kneel down.
I have come to learn: God adores His creation. 

• The same Journeyer gives instructions: we will not pass the baskets today; we will listen to the music, look at the images, and when you are ready, place your offering into the baskets in the middle. Then says an offering prayer. 
• The ushers DO NOT PASS THE BASKETS – we have two large baskets near the bright light in the center. People can come and put stuff in as music plays. 
• “Transfigured” loop plays during offering

Telling The Story and Our Story

• Rick talks 
• “Sun Behind Cross” loop  plays over and over while Rick talks
• Silence 

Go Out to Serve with Courage and Grace

• A Journeyer reads a quotation from St. Teresa

Saint Teresa of Avila, 16th century Spanish mystic, nun, and theologian, had powerful experiences of the presence of God. Here is what she said: 

Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing make you afraid.
All things pass away.
God never changes.
Patience obtains everything.
God alone is enough.

• The same Journeyer dismisses us
• “Within You, Without You” by the Beatles plays again as folks depart