St. Andrew’s United Church

St. Andrew’s United Church May 11, 2014 “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Charles A. Beard

Opening our Doors Prelude Danielle Aaron Welcome & Announcements - UCW Service: Sunday May 29th - Stephen Lewis Concert: Friday May 30th * Passing the Peace * Hymn “In Loving Partnership” Voices United #603 & Screen

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” In loving partnership we come, seeking, O God, your will to do. Our prayers and actions now receive; we freely offer them to you. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” We are the hands and feet of Christ, serving by grace each other’s need. We dare to risk and sacrifice with truthful word and faithful deed. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Loving community we seek; your hope and strength within us move. The poor and rich, the strong and week are brought together in your love. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” In loving partnership, O God, help us your future to proclaim. Justice and peace be our desire, we humbly pray in Jesus’ name. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” * Invitation to Worship Marilyn Carter One: We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travellers on the road; ALL: we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” One: Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; ALL: pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” One: I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I'll laugh with you; ALL: I will share your joy and sorrow, till we've seen this journey through. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” One: Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; ALL: Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” One: I will hold the Christ-light for you, in the midnight of your fear; ALL: I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” One: We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travellers on the road; ALL: we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. Charles A. Beard

Opening our Hearts Joys & Concerns Silent Prayer & Candle Lighting Lord's Prayer Eternal Spirit : Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all. Loving God, in whom is heaven.

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen. Presentation of Tithes & Offerings Offertory Danielle Aaron Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” * Song “God of Love” (sung to the tune of ‘Edelweiss’) God of love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you. May our lives do your will, guide and guard us forever. Give us courage to stand for truth, help us care for others. God of love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” * Prayer of Dedication * Hymn “God of Still Waiting” More Voices #20 & Screen God of still waiting, God of deep longing, God of the heart’s true rest: hold us in fathomless peace, guard us with unwaning love. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Spirit of promise, Spirit of purpose, Spirit of ceaseless prayer: bathe us in life full and free, kindle our wonder and hope. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Word true and faithful, hope bringing Spirit, God of enfolding love: come in your fullness and grace; work through our lives for your praise. Charles A. Beard

Opening our Minds Children’s Time: Rev. James Ancient Wisdom: Luke 24:13-25 Song “God in the Darkness” More Voices #17 & Screen Contemporary Wisdom: Barbara Brown-Taylor Message: “Getting Engaged” Rev. James

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” God in the darkness, God beyond all knowing, patient creator, seed in secret growing, rock of the living, water ever flowing, come and renew us. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” God in the darkness, God in all our grieving, friend of our tears, companion never leaving, drawing us past the limits of believing, come and renew us. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” God in the darkness, God of holy dreaming, giver of hope, and pledge of our redeeming, Spirit of truth, our memory and meaning, come and renew us. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” “When I look around the world today, it seems clear that eliminating darkness is pretty high on the human agenda- not just physical darkness but also… psychological, emotional, relational and spiritual darkness.” Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Most people do not know what they mean by “darkness” except that they want to stay out of it. Just say the word and the associations begin to flow: night, nightmare, ghost, graveyard, cave, bat, vampire, death, devil, evil, criminal, danger, doubt, depression, loss fear. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Fear is the main thing. Almost everyone is afraid of being afraid. Beyond that, no one’s list is exactly the like anyone else’s. It fits the way a shadow fits, because darkness is sticky. It attracts meaning like a magnet, picking up everything in its vicinity that is not fully lit. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” “Darkness” is shorthand for anything that scares me- that I want no part of- either because I am sure that I do not have the resources to survive it or because I do not want to find out. The absence of God is in there, along with the fear of dementia and the loss of those nearest and dearest to me. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” So is the melting of the polar ice caps, the suffering of children, and the nagging question of what it will feel like to die. If I had my way, I would eliminate everything from chronic back pain to the fear of the devil from my life and the lives of those I love- if I could just find the right night-lights to leave on.” - Barbara Brown-Taylor Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” • “The absence of God is in there, along with the fear of dementia and the loss of those nearest and dearest to me. So is the melting of the polar ice caps, the suffering of children, and the nagging question of what it will feel like to die.” Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” “When, despite all my best efforts, the lights have gone off in my life… plunging me into the kind of darkness that turns my knees to water, nonetheless I have not died. The monsters have not dragged me out of bed and taken me back to their lair. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” The witches have not turned me into a bat. Instead, I have learned things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.” - Barbara Brown-Taylor Charles A. Beard

Opening our Lives * Congregational Prayer God of mercy, source of life, power of love: we are the proof of your presence. May we offer your light to everyone in darkness. May we show your kindness to everyone in our lives. May we share your joy with everyone in the world. AMEN.

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” * Hymn “Deep in Our Hearts” More Voices #154 Deep in our hearts there is a common vision; deep in our hearts there is a common song; deep in our hearts there is a common story, telling Creation that we are one. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose; deep in our hearts there is a common goal; deep in our hearts there is a sacred message, justice and peace in harmony. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Deep in our hearts there is a common longing; deep in our hearts there is a common theme; deep in our hearts there is a common current, flowing to freedom like a stream. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Deep in our hearts there is a common vision; deep in our hearts there is a common song; deep in our hearts there is a common story, telling Creation that we are one. Charles A. Beard

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” • * Benediction • * Song “Take, O Take Me as I Am” • Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be; set your seal upon my heart and live in me. • Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be; set your seal upon my heart and live in me. • * Postlude Danielle Aaron Charles A. Beard

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Charles A. Beard

St. Andrew’s United Church