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
“Gather Us In”
#2236 TFWS
Welcome
Threshold Moment
P:We all come into this world as seeds of potential. Just as mighty oak trees grow from tiny acorns and beautiful butterflies grow from humble caterpillars, each one of us is gifted with unique potential for growth and transformation. Today as we continue our journey through the “Emerge” series, we dare to imagine unfolding our wings and claiming our space in this beloved community.
“Come Out!” · Mark Miller
Come out! Come out of your comfortable spaces.
Come, meet Jesus in the difficult places.
Questions for Metamorphosis
Liturgist:When we arrived in this world, we wondered…
All:…from where will I get my sustenance and care?
Liturgist:When we were children, we wondered…
All:…who will I become on this adventure called life?
Liturgist:Change can make us feel awkward and fragile, and we wonder…
All:…how can I move through this change with grace?
Liturgist:When we give ourselves permission to dream big dreams, we wonder…
All:…how can I realize that vision?
Liturgist:Then the love of the Divine reminds us,
All:“You too are my child. You can emerge to renewed life. Again and again.” 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
“Step by Step”
#3004 W&S
Young & Young at Heart Time
Contemporary Reading
Becoming
by Donna Ashworth
You are always becoming,
the person you were born to be
before the world began to mould you
to its pattern
and not your own.
You are always becoming
she who learned to hide
and shape-shift
to suit the crowd
the mood
the room.
You are always becoming
and every time you release
a little more of her to the world
I like to think Mother Nature breathes out
exhales
a little more deeply…
here she is.
Keep becoming,
keep becoming.
COMMUNITY PRAYER ~ THE LORD'S PRAYER
Sung in Echo
Our Mother, Father, Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven, On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day, Give us this day
Our daily bread, Our daily bread
And forgive us all our sins, And forgive us all our sins
And lead us not, And lead us not
Into temptation, Into temptation
But deliver us from evil, But deliver us from evil
For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
Forever, Forever
And ever, And ever
Our Mother, Father, Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Hallowed be thy name
Ancient Readings
MATTHEW 16:13-20 (NRSVUE)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
We Sing
“My Hope Is Built”
#368 UMH
Message
“"Unfold: Claiming New Possibilities"”
Rev. Dr. Michele Robbins
Offertory
“Fly · Tracy Wong”
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 Blessings Flow”
#94 UMH
*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.
Communion Setting
#2257 a, b, c, d TFWSLiturgist:Bring all the places you’re weary, all the ways you’re restless. Bring your hunger for peace, your thirst for justice. Bring it all -- and come! Jesus invites us to dine as friends! Come! God’s welcome feast is set for us, for all!
Pastor:It’s a good and joyful thing to open our hearts in thanks and praise to you -- always and everywhere. So, we join with all of creation, with people on earth and all the saints in their unending song of praise:
Liturgist:Creative God, You formed all that is. You created us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast, calling us home. With Jesus, we take, bless, break, and share our daily bread. You fill us and heal us to send us into the world as a community of faith, hope and reconciliation. So, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Pastor:Holy One of Love and Mystery, you blessed your son, Jesus Christ, anointing him with your Spirit to preach good news to the poor, to announce freedom to all captives, vision to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to spread the word that help and healing were at hand.
Liturgist:Continue to pour out your life-giving Spirit, O God. Make us one body in Christ, one ministry to the whole world.
Pastor:On the night before he gave everything, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body, given for you. Every time you share it, remember me.” When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, and again gave you thanks and praise. He gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you. This is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and for all people, filled to overflowing with forgiveness for everyone. Whenever you share it, remember me.”
Liturgist:And so, we do remember -- the movement of your powerful Spirit, and your amazing love in Jesus. As we eat this bread and share this cup, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving. In God, with Christ, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, forever and ever.
Getting Strong
“In the Midst of New Dimensions”
#2238 TFWS
Opportunities for Ministry
Opportunities where you make a difference: A strong church has members who are actively taking part in ministry and service.
- ⤷Gentle Yoga: Every Wednesday and Saturday with hand weights at 8:15 am, yoga at 8:30 am in the Social Hall led by Pastor Michele.
- ⤷Church Conference: Sunday, May 10th after the worship service.
- ⤷Recycling:
- ⤷Pride March:
- ⤷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 Casey 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, socks, Men’s pants (size 32-38), Backpacks, Blankets, Sleeping bags, Razors, Dog food
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
“I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen”
Gaither
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.