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Jesus came bringing us hope, Jesus came bringing us hope, Jesus came bringing us hope, hallelujah forever more!

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We worship in the light of Christ, who has called us here today. Through this light, may we understand our calling as disciples. Amen

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We come to worship today, learning from our past. We have learned from prophets, people with vision. We come as people with doubts. We are learning to be people of courage.

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We come with regrets, learning from those with wisdom. We are people with parts to play in the story of faith, learning our jobs in the ministry Christ began.

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God, you touch our lives with mystery and hope. We come to this place today, ready to see your power working through us. Help us to be open to your word, and to answer your call among us. We pray in the name of our Example, Jesus. Amen

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Ephesians 3: 14-21

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For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

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I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

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I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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We welcome the symbol of water, and ask you to bless it for its cleansing powers and promise of nurture in spiritual life.

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Gracious and Holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation. By water, comes the growth of the earth.

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Through water, you led the children of Israel to freedom. In the waters of the Jordan your child, Jesus, was baptized to strengthen him for ministry.

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Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all as we renew our promise to live in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen

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Listen to the water’s free-flowing powers

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Listen to thewater’s releasing powers.

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Listen to the water’s welcoming powers.

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Take Up His Song

MV 213

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Take up his song of peace and go into the world, Take up his song of peace in ev’ry moment. In ev’rymoment of the journey, we’re laying down our lives’ lay them down, in peace, lay them down, and take up his song.

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Take up his song of hope and go into the world, Take up his song of hope in ev’ry moment. In ev’rymoment of the journey, we’re laying down our lives’ lay them down, in hope, lay them down, and take up his song.

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Take up his song of faith and go into the world, Take up his song of faith in ev’ry moment. In ev’ry moment of the journey, we’re laying down our lives’ lay them down, in faith, lay them down, and take up his song.

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Take up his song of love and go into the world, Take up his song of love in ev’ry moment. In ev’ry moment of the journey, we’re laying down our lives’ lay them down, in love, lay them down, and take up his song.

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Lord, You Give the Great Commission

VU 512

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Lord, you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.” Lest the church neglect its mission, and the gospel go unheard, help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity; with the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us for the work of ministry.

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Lord, you call us to your service; “In my name baptize and teach.” That the world may trust your promise, life abundant meant for each, give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community; with the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us for the work of ministry.

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Lord, you make the common holy: “This my body, this my blood.” Let us all, for earth’s true glory, daily lift life heaven-ward, asking that the world around us share your children’s liberty; with the Spirit’s gits empow’rus for the work of ministry.

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Lord, you show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive.” Yet we hoard as private treasure all that you so freely give. May your care and mercy lead us to a just society; with the spirit’s gifts empow’r us for the work of ministry.

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Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end.” Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend, and, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity, with the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us for the work of ministry.

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Loving God, accept the prayers of your people. In your great mercy, look with compassion on us and all who turn to you for help. To you we give glory for you weep with us who weep and rejoice with us when we rejoice. We pray with the words Jesus taught, and so we say… 35

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In the name and spirit of Jesus, we bring our gifts to you, O God. Help us to give – with them – a ready mind, a willing spirit, and a joyful heart, as we begin a new sense of ministry in this place. Amen

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Come and Bless Us, God

VU 596

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Come and bless us, God, save us from dissension, that we may as one further your intention. Never on our own, yours for ever after, both our tears and laughter blessed by you alone.

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Not for us to keep do you give your blessing, talents richly given not for our possessing. As we share our all blessing grows and flowers, loving grace empowers, bursting evil’s thrall.

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Peace you granted once, peace again must flourish, as you promised us, as the earth we nourish. Help us stand the test! Those who sow with weeping, when it’s time for reaping, will find peace and rest.

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Come and bless us, God, save us from dissension, that we may as one further your intention. Never on our own, yours for ever after, both our tears and laughter blessed by you alone.

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Go into the world to dance, laugh, sing and create. We go with the assurance of your blessing, O God. Go into the world to risk, explore, discover and love. We go with the assurance of grace we learned through Jesus.

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Go into the world to believe, hope, struggle and remember.We go with the assurance of

love, blessing us through the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God! Amen

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