We Join the Outsiders

ENTRANCE

The service begins with the ringing of a bell or the clamor of a gong.
The deacon or lay leader stands with the pastor in the back of the worship space, in front of the choir or musical ensemble, and announces:

Deacon or Lay Leader: Alleluia. Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The deacon or lay leader then announces and displays or calls attention to printed or artistically rendered images of occasions where the church or church members have engaged in ministry alongside people who are significantly different from them during the past year. Church members engaged in these ministries, and those alongside whom they worked, if present, or able to be virtually present via online platforms, may be invited to stand as each ministry occasion is named.

Filled with the Spirit’s Power UMH 537
Sois la Semilla (You Are the Seed) UMH 583

ABBREVIATIONS
AH = The Africana Hymnal

BOW = United Methodist Book of Worship

CCLI = Christian Copyright Licensing International, SongSelect

TFWS = The Faith We Sing (2000)

UMH = United Methodist Hymnal

W&S = Worship & Song (2011)

SOZ = Songs of Zion

OR

Take It to the Streets CCLI #4835981

Prayer for Illumination

(after “Sois la Semilla”)
Holy Spirit, you sent the deacon Philip
to join the chariot of an unclean man
in whom you were already stirring
to establish your church in Ethiopia.
Stir our hearts as we hear your Word
that we may join as faithfully with all
to whom you send us. Amen.

(after “Take It to the Streets”)
How did we become your miracles, Holy Spirit?
Open our lives to the witness of your word
read and preached today,
until we know the answer,
and we can only take your mercy, grace, and kindness to the streets. Amen.

WORD AND RESPONSE

Reading Acts 8:26-40 (NRSV)

Sermon We Join the “Outsiders”

Confessing in Song
The deacon, pastor, or others may prepare the Lord’s table, and the offering may be collected during the singing.

You’ve Got to Move AH 4077
This Little Light of Mine AH 4150 or UMH 585

OR

We Believe? (by ensemble) CCLI #7021409
Lyrics: http://www.theliturgists.com/gardenlyrics
Music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL9BLS60b2Q

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table UMH 8
Confession, Pardon, and Peace UMH 8

The Great Thanksgiving BOW 66-67

OR

The pastor lifts hands in prayer and invites all to join in this posture of prayer.

Holy Wisdom is with us.
We praise you, Christ Crucified.

Holy Spirit breathes in us.
Spirit of Power, Spirit of Life!

Holy Source of All draws near.
In you alone we boast!
With all creation we sing:

Holy Holy Holy UMH 21 or other setting

Holy are you, O God,
ever creating,
giving us the power to repent,
and setting the captive and colonized free.
Holy are you, O God.

Holy are you, O God,
enfleshed in Jesus,
delivering us from the power of sin and death,
empowering us by the Spirit,
and sending us into your mission in the world
where you are already acting.
Holy are you, O God.

Holy the food Jesus gave,
when on the night of his betrayal
he took bread, blessed it and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples.
Holy the words he spoke then,
and your Spirit speaks still:
"This is my body broken for you. Remember me."

Holy the drink Jesus offered,
when that same night he took the cup,
thanked you and shared it.
Holy the words he spoke then,
and your Spirit speaks still:
"This is my blood of the new covenant for you. Remember me."

We remember you,
Source, Wisdom and Spirit of Holiness.
We praise you not only with our lips
but with our lives:

Jesus Christ,
crucified, you called and claimed us,
risen, you have raised us,
coming again, you make all things new.
Even so, come Lord Jesus! Hallelujah!

Even so, come and fill this feast, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of Power, Spirit of Life.
Come upon us and these gifts of bread and wine.

Make them be for us what Jesus says they are,
Christ's body, Christ's blood.
Make us become what Jesus prays we are,
one body in him empowered and enlivened by his blood.

Deacon, Lay Leader, or Pastor:
One in service, one in witness, one in compassion,
and one even now in prayer, saying:
Lord, have mercy.

One with all persons kept in poverty or slavery,
with all who are in fear from abusers, terrorists, and oppressors,
with all who face addiction of any kind,
and with all who are targeted for unjust treatment because of who they are;
Lord, have mercy.

One with the earth, and all creatures upon it,
the riches in its depths,
and the fragility of its air and water;
Lord, have mercy.

One in prayer for leaders in religious, political, economic, and social life;
and for all who work to sustain and protect our lives
as military, civilian workers, and first responders;
Lord, have mercy.

One with families, friends, and neighbors,
near and far, like us and different from us;
with all who need your healing power,
Lord, have mercy.

So may this food and drink be holy,
and nourish us in holy conversation this day
and every day
as on that day we feast with him
in new creation.

And now and ever,
all glory to you,
Holy Spirit, Holy Wisdom, Holy Source
of all that was, and is, and is to come.
Amen.

The pastor breaks the bread in the sight of the people, then serves the servers, one of whom also serves the pastor. The people are then served.

Music During Communion

I Come with Joy UMH 617

AND/OR

You Feed Us, Gentle Savior W&S 3169

Thanksgiving after Communion

Almighty God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery
in which you come alongside us
and enter our chariots
and show us the way.

Send us now in the strength of your Spirit
to join others along their way
and open to them yours.
Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Whom Shall I Send UMH 582

OR

Every Move I Make CCLI #1595726

Deacon or Pastor:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go outside to join God’s mission already in progress.
People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!