Table of Contents
The words in **black bold** are spoken or sung by the congregation. Please, no food or beverages are allowed in the Sanctuary. * Indicates when to rise in body or spirit.
UMH--United Methodist (Blue), TFWS--The Faith We Sing (Black), W&S--Worship & Song (Green)
Prelude
“May You Run and Not Be Weary”
#2281 TFWS
Welcome
Threshold Moment
P:Today we begin a new worship series called "The Way." Making intentional journeys has been a ritual of humankind across time and traditions. Inspired by passages in the scriptures that talk about the journeys, roads and pathways of life, we will make our way together through this time.
P:The popular and poignant movie, The Way, about a father's pilgrimage in honor of his late son on the famed Camino de Santiago in France and Spain, accompanies us as our modern-day inspiration to live the life we've been given to the fullest.
P:Jesus went on a pilgrimage into the wilderness after his baptism by John in the Jordan River. A common practice among spiritual leaders of his day, this was a time to dig deep into the humanity of his soul. Along the way he encounters what we all encounter along the paths of life–temptations to stray from the path that God has intended for us. But "all who wander are not lost," as the saying goes, for it is often in the wandering that we find our true selves.
"A Wilderness Wandering People" · #3113 W&S
We are a wilderness wandering people
on a journey of the soul.
May we find our destination
in our longing to be whole.
Our Holy God is calling to us.
With Jesus by our side
may compassion be our compass;
may the Spirit be our guide,
on The Way, on The Way, on The Way.
Prayer for the Path
All:God of the Pilgrimage, be with us on The Way.
All:At times, we don't know if we are on the path you would have us travel.
All:How do we know the direction for our lives?
All:We come seeking your guidance, as Jesus showed us to do.
All:Help us to be at home even in our wanderings, knowing that you are ever with us. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Pastor:The Peace of Christ be with you.
All:And also with you.
Pastor:You are invited to pass the peace among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely.
Praising
“I'm Trading My Sorrows”
#3108 W&S
Young & Young at Heart Time
Contemporary Reading
Circle of Grace
by Jan Richardson
If you would enter into the wilderness, do not begin without a blessing.
Do not leave without hearing who you are: Beloved,
named by the One who has traveled this path before you.
Do not go without letting it echo in your ears,
and if you find it is hard to let it into your heart, do not despair.
That is what this journey is for.
I cannot promise this blessing will free you from danger, from fear,
from hunger or thirst, from the scorching of sun or the fall of the night.
But I can tell you that on this path there will be help.
I can tell you that on this way there will be rest.
I can tell you that you will know the strange graces that come to our aid
only on a road such as this, that fly to meet us bearing comfort and strength,
that come alongside us for no other cause than to lean themselves
toward our ear and with their curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
COMMUNITY PRAYER ~ THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Mother, Father
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 yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever
Amen
Ancient Readings
FIRST READING - PSALM 1 (INCLUSIVE BIBLE)
Happiness comes to those who reject the path of violence, who refuse to associate with criminals or even to sit with people who belittle others. Happiness comes to those who delight in the Law of YHWH and meditate on it day and night. They're like trees planted by flowing water—they bear fruit in every season, and their leaves never wither: everything they do will prosper.
But not wrongdoers! They're like chaff that the wind blows away. They won't have a taproot to anchor them when judgment comes, nor will corrupt individuals be given a place at the Gathering of the Just. YHWH watches over the steps of those who do justice; but those on a path of violence and injustice will find themselves irretrievably lost.
SECOND READING - LUKE 3:21; LUKE 4:1-13
Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only God.'"
Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
We Sing
“Blessed Assurance”
#369 UMH
Message
“"The Wandering Way"”
Rev. Dr. Michele Robbins
Offertory
“Wayfaring Stranger · American Folk Song”
Offerings can be placed in the basket on the table, online at ukiahumc.org, or mailed to PO Box 323, Ukiah
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
#95 UMH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Give thanks to God in love made known
Creator, Word, and Spirit One
Amen
*MEMBERSHIP STATEMENT
Members of the Ukiah United Methodist Church accept the freedom God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. We welcome opportunities to bring God's love to the world in as many ways as we can. We promise to uphold our beloved church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
Getting Strong
“The Summons”
#2130 TFWS
Opportunities for Ministry
Opportunities where you make a difference: A strong church has members who are actively taking part in ministry and service.
- ⤷Recycling: Annie is collecting CRV bottles & cans, to benefit Ukiah UMC. Text or call Annie 707-513-9634 for pickups and more information.
- ⤷Mendo Labor Co-op: Our church sponsors a worker-led co-op connecting underemployed and unhoused workers with people needing help around the house or yard. We need church members willing to hire workers with patience as we get started and work out the kinks. Call/text Cheryl and Braven at (369) 216-1512 to be matched, or fill out the online form on mendolaborcoop.ukiahumc.org.
- ⤷The Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center: If you would like to donate to Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center, below is a list of needed items. All donations can be dropped at HRC M-F, 9-5 or to Trudy's front porch at any time. Thank you to everyone who donates! Trudy•Items needed are: Adult underwear, Men's pants, Socks, Blankets, Sleeping bags, Backpacks, Bath soap, Razors, PENS!
Go For It!
South:Do all the good you can,
North:By all the means you can,
South:In all the ways you can,
North:In all the places you can,
South:At all the times you can,
North:To all the people you can,
All:As long as ever you can. Amen.
— John Wesley
Blessing
*STEPPING OUT
“On the Road Again”
Willie Nelson
WE ARE A WELCOMING & AFFIRMING CONGREGATION:
We welcome all persons into full participation in the life of the congregation regardless of age, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, marriage status, or physical or mental condition.