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After Running Through the Thistles… A Service About Ministry
February 11, 2024, Worship Service
new.firstparishinbrookline.org/
382 Walnut Street, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 566-1933
*Hearing assistance devices are available to the congregation*
Gathering Bell
Introit From You I Receive Chancel Choir
(Joseph and Nathan Segal; arr. Jim Scott)
Words of Welcome Jody Leader, Board Member
Announcements
Call to Worship
Opening Hymn Gather the Spirit (Gray Hymnal, #347)
When our hearts is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place
We are bless’d with love and amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.
When we trust the wisdom in each of us,
Ev’ry color cv’ry creed and kind,
And we see our faces in each other’s eyes,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
When our hearts is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place
We are bless’d with love and amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.
When we share the silence of sacred space,
And the God of our Heart stirs within,
And we feel the power of each other’s faith,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
When our hearts is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place
We are bless’d with love and amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.
When our heart is in a holy place.
Unison Chalice Lighting
Nos entregamos y nos comprometemos a caminar juntos como
congregación, prometiendo con mucha fe cuidarnos mutuamente
y deleitarnos en el amor que permanecerá entre nosotros.
We give ourselves one unto another, covenanting to walk together.
as a congregation, promising faithfully to watch over one another,
and to delight for love to abide in our midst. 1717 Covenant (adapted)
Stones of Joy and Sorrow
Go Out and Love the World
Go out and love the world!
Vá e ame o mundo!
¡Vayan a amar al mundo!
Ale e renmen tout moun! (2x)
Anthem Pebbles (Sharon Scholl) Chancel Choir
Here are the pebbles of my heart
I shall drop them into the pond of living
Watch the ripples spread to far banks
Beyond my seeing
I cannot do everything
Still I can do something
No one should be hopeless
There is too much work to do.
These are the pebbles of my dreams.
I shall drop them into your dreams.
Watch the ripples spread to places beyond our daring
I cannot do everything.
Still I can do something.
No one should feel hopeless;
There is too much work to do.
These are the gifts that I can bring
To support the things I believe in.
Watch the ripples of my gift
Spread far beyond my knowing
No one should feel hopeless;
There is too much work to do.
Reading
Offering Words
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Offertory
Life Calls Us On (Jason Shelton) Chancel Choir
Here in reverence, now we gather
For the blessings we have known,
With a pledge to one another
That we journey not alone.
Joy and sorrow make us wise,
Kin to all that lives and dies;
Love calls us on.
Words and deeds of those before us
Waken here to keep us strong;
Blend our voices in the chorus
Of creation’s living song
Courage bids us lift our eyes
Upward to the shining skies;
Hope calls us on.
Loyal guides in love and duty
Lead us with a trusted light;
Blest are they whose inward beauty,
Shows the path of truth and right.
Honor is their earthly prize,
By their work we realize.
Faith calls us on.
We have shared a radiant hour,
When the truth has made us free,
And the spirit’s gracious power
Dreamed of good that yet shall be.
Bright the path before us lies
Joyful pilgrims now we rise;
Life calls us on!
Blessing of the Gifts
Sermon
After Running Through the Thistles…A Sermon about Ministry
Closing Hymn
What Gift Can I Bring?
Extinguishing The Chalice
Unison Affirmation
Apagamos esta llama pero no la luz de la verdad,
Ni el calor de la comunidad ni el fuego del compromiso.
Estos los llevamos con nosotros y los ofrecemos para bendecir al mundo.
We extinguish this flame and not the light of truth,
The warmth of community or the fire of commitment.
These we carry with us and offer as gifts onto the world.
Benediction