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
“Here I Am Lord”
#593 UMH
Welcome
Threshold Moment
Kay:Gregory Boyle reminds us that the divisions we create between “us” and “them” can keep us from seeing the sacred worth that exists in every person. Today’s scriptures invite us to remove that blindfold. In Matthew, Jesus tells us that when we welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, and care for those in need, we are caring for Christ himself. In Luke, even as he hangs on the cross, Jesus sees beyond labels and judgments to offer mercy and belonging to the one beside him. As we enter worship, let us ask God to open our eyes to the dignity, belovedness, and humanity that connect us all. May we cross this threshold ready to see one another as God sees us—cherished, forgiven, and forever belonging.
“You Are Mine” v.1 + refrain · #2218 TFWS
I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear my voice
I claim you as my choice
Be still and know I am here
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow me, I will bring you home
I love you, and you are mine
Call to Worship
L:Come, people of God. Come as you are—bringing your joys, your burdens, your certainty, and your questions.
All:We come, trusting that Christ welcomes us all.
L:Jesus teaches us that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, and visit the forgotten, we meet Christ already present among us.
All:Open our eyes to recognize your presence in every person.
L:The blindfold we wear is the illusion that some people are worthy of belonging while others are not. God’s love removes every blindfold and reveals that we belong to one another.
All:Remove the scales from our eyes. Teach us to see with compassion instead of judgment. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Kay:The Peace of Christ be with you.
All:And also with you.
Kay:You are invited to pass the peace among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely.
Praising
“Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone” (You can replace wretch with soul and ransom with welcome.)
#3104 W&S
Young & Young at Heart Time
Contemporary Reading (Liturgist)
A Blessing for Those at the Edge
by Alison Davis
Maybe you walked here.
Maybe you ran here.
Maybe you followed a trail of stones, of feathers, of flowers,
of scents, of sky.
Maybe you went afoot with the Mystery & so how you got here
is also a mystery.
But here is where you are & here
is always its own kind of blessing & here
at the edge, blessings compound.
Bless those at the edge of the river
of their heart,
full of promise.
Bless those at the edge of the morning,
singing the bright face of day
into the blue.
Bless those at the edge of what they know,
watching the old certainties crumble.
Bless those at the edge of doom,
bearing it out, as the famous bard wrote,
with or without the draw of a happy ending.
Bless those at the edge of love
of self, of other, of world,
as the way forward grows more subtle, less sound.
Bless those at the edge of language,
whose tongues & tales & names
are more pledge than guarantee.
Bless those at the edge of believing
a life can be lived at the edge.
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 25:34-35 (NRSVUE)
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
LUKE 23:32-43 (NRSVUE)
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
We Sing
“Open My Eyes, That I May See”
#454 UMH
Message
“The Blindfold”
Kay Lieberknecht
Offertory
“You Say · Lauren Daigle”
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
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*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
“Together We Serve”
#2175 TFWS
Opportunities for Ministry
- ⤷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.
- ⤷Photo Directory: Our photo directory is coming along. If you have not had your photo taken yet, please contact Trudy Morgan (morganmiller95482@gmail.com) to set up a time to have one taken, or send a headshot to Debbie in the office (office@ukiahumc.org).
- ⤷Recycling: Annie is collecting CRV bottles & cans, to benefit Ukiah UMC. Text Annie at 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 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: Eating utensils, paper plates, napkins, water, ice, soda, to-go containers, paper towels
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
“Cantemos al Señor”
#149 UMH
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.