Friday Evening Worship. INVITATION Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Friday Evening Worship

INVITATION

Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which

you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

We invite all those present to take off your shoes and experience this place

as sacred space

GATHERING SONG: A Circle of Life

One great circle of life, living circle of lovePlants and trees, seas and riversand the blessed sky above.Creatures great, creatures smallform the web that weaves us allIn the circle of life.Words/music by Marty Haugen, CCLI license No. 2486767

SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 8:1-6, 17-36

Prints by Frank Tschakert

WORDS OF CONFESSION

Wisdom teach us stillnessALL: As the grasses are stilled with light

Wisdom, teach us sufferingAs old stones suffer with memory

Wisdom, teach us humilityAs blossoms are humble with beginning

Wisdom, teach us caringAs the mother secures her young

Wisdom, teach us courageAs the tree which stands all alone

Wisdom, teach us limitationAs the ant which crawls on the ground

Wisdom, teach us freedomAs the eagle which soars in the sky

Wisdom, teach us resignationAs the leaves which die in the fall

Wisdom, teach us regenerationAs the seed which rises in the spring

Wisdom, teach us to forget ourselvesAs melted snow forgets its life

Wisdom, teach us to remember kindnessAs dry fields weep with rain.

Amen.

Spirit of the Living GodO Spirit of the living God, thou Light and Fire

DivineDescend upon Thy Church once more and

make it truly ThineFill it with love and joy and power, with

righteousness and peaceTill Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin

and sorrow cease.Words: Henry H. Tweedy, 1933.Music: Forest Green, arranged by Ralph Vaughan Will iams, 1906, CCLI license No. 2486767

Blow, wind of God, with wisdom blow until our minds are free

from mists of error, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to Thee

Burn, winged fire, inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal

To preach to all Thy great good news, God’s glorious commonweal.

So shall we know the power of Christ, who came this world to save

So shall we rise with Him to life which soars beyond the grave

And earth shall win true holiness, which makes Thy children whole

Till, perfected by Thee, we reach creation’s glorious goal.

THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST

John 9:1-6 (NIV)

REFLECTION

“Mom, is the earth alive?” We all need new eyes to see

RESPONSE: CLAY MEDITATION

SONG: TOUCH THE EARTH LIGHTLY

Touch the earth lightly;use the earth gently,nourish the life of the world in our care:gift of great wonder,ours to surrender,trust for the children tomorrow will bear.

Copyright © 1995 by The Pilgrim PressCCLI license No. 2486767

Let there be greening,birth from the burning,Water that blesses and air that is sweet,Health in God’s garden,Hope in God’s children,Regeneration that peace will complete. God of all living,God of all loving,God of the seedling, the snow and the sun,Teach us deflect us,Christ re-connect us,Using us gently, and making us one.

BENEDICTION

Jesus said, “Pray and not give up.”Therefore let us not pray for easy lives;

But pray to be stronger women and men.Let us not pray for tasks equal to our powers.

But for power equal to our tasks.

Then, the doing of our work will be no miracle.We will be the miracle.

And every day we will wonder at the richness of life.And the power of hopethat has come to us by the grace of God.

SENDING SONG: The Peace of the Earth

The peace of the earth be with youThe peace of the heavens tooThe peace of the rivers be with youThe peace of the oceans tooDeep peace falling over youGod’s peace growing in you

Guatamalan folk song, CCLI license No. 2486767