“I am the true vine.”Many of Jesus’ favorite metaphors for himself stem from the earth. Notice Jesus doesn’t refer to himself or God as divine warriors who are out to get you. Instead, Jesus refers to himself as the vine and God as the gardener who tends the garden so that it produces more fruit. Let’s bear fruit together as we worship today.

Print Bulletin

Prelude

 

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Adam

Amira: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. I will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle.

 

Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings

John 15:1-8

*Call to Worship – Amira

Amira: Please join us in the call to worship…

Amira: God is the gardener. The plants are growing.

All: May we grow in Christ.

Amira: God is pruning so that we might grow bigger in love.

All: May we grow in Christ.

Amira: God is nurturing us with water and the Spirit, that we may blossom.

All: Let us praise God, who is growing something new in us. Amen.

Children’s Moment

Passing of the Peace – Amira

Friends, I invite you to join me in the passing of the peace…Close your eyes…breathe…breathe again. Put your hands on your heart. In your mind’s eye, imagine the light that is in all of us. Some might call it the Soul or Conscience or Essence or maybe you call it God. Take a piece of that light and hold it close. Now hold out your hands, imagine the light, your light, traveling from your fingers out across the world, like a sun ray. As the rays travel, accept the light that is offered to you, as you offer light, as the light returns to you… Breathe. Breathe again. Hold the light close. May the Peace of Christ be with you…

 

Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.

  All: And also with you.

Song: We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Amira

Our God,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon – Spiritual Pruning

Communion – Amira and Adam

Unison Benediction – Amira

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

*Call to worship adapted from West Ohio UMC Conference “a perfect love week 1 – Worship Helps.”

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