May 10, 2026
Sunday Gathering
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-PRELUDE-
“Turn Around” -H. Belafonte
Brenda Gardiner
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-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-
We acknowledge that the place where we are gathered today is the ancient and ancestral homeland of more than twenty Indigenous tribes. We mourn the loss of their lives, livelihoods, homes, and cultures, and acknowledge the legacy of violence against them.
We acknowledge that the space where we worship today was established and built by those whose Black ancestors were also abused and mistreated - some even bought and sold as enslaved people right here in our city.
We acknowledge the women who’ve faced unfair treatment and misogyny throughout the ages, and we acknowledge those who identify as LGBTQ or other who’ve been mistreated and misunderstood.
We acknowledge our role and responsibility as professed followers of Christ to stand for and alongside all of these and others who have been and continue to be oppressed.
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“The Family of God”
I’M SO GLAD WE’RE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD;
AS WE DRINK FROM GOD’S FOUNTAIN
AND FEAST ON GOD’S LOVE.
WALKING WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL ALONG.
WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY,
THE FAM’LY OF GOD.
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-WELCOME-
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-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“The Family of God”
I’M SO GLAD WE’RE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD;
AS WE DRINK FROM GOD’S FOUNTAIN
AND FEAST ON GOD’S LOVE.
WALKING WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL ALONG.
WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY,
THE FAM’LY OF GOD.
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-CALL TO WORSHIP-
Today, we gather with gratitude
for all who have nurtured life
with courage, compassion, and grace.
WE HONOR THE LOVE THAT
COMFORTS, PROTECTS, TEACHES AND HEALS.
We give thanks for all who have mothered
others with tenderness and strength.
WE CELEBRATE EVERY PERSON
WHO HAS HELPED ANOTHER SOUL GROW.
Today, we also hold space for those who grieve,
those missing mothers,
longing to be mothers,
estranged from family,
or caring pain this day may bring.
MAY THIS COMMUNITY BE A PLACE
OF GENTLENESS, BELONGING, AND PEACE.
We remember that God’s love is wider
than any one role or title.
LIKE A MOTHER HOLDING HER CHILD,
GOD HOLDS US IN MERCY AND HOPE.
We hold each other.
WE HOLD EACH OTHER.
AMEN.
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-OPENING PRAYER-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH,
FOR THE SPLENDOR OF THE SKIES,
FOR THE LOVE WHICH FROM OUR BIRTH
OVER AND AROUND LIES,
GOD OF ALL, TO YOU WE RAISE
THIS OUR HYMN OF GRATEFUL PRAISE.
FOR THE WONDER OF EACH HOUR
OF THE DAY AND OF THE NIGHT,
HILL AND VALE, AND TREE AND FLOWER,
SUN AND MOON, AND STARS OF LIGHT,
GOD OF ALL, TO YOU WE RAISE
THIS OUR HYMN OF GRATEFUL PRAISE.
FOR THE JOY OF HUMAN LOVE,
SIBLINGS, FRIENDS, A PARENT, CHILD,
THOSE ON EARTH, AND THOSE ABOVE,
FOR ALL GENTLE THOUGHTS AND MILD,
GOD OF ALL, TO YOU WE RAISE
THIS OUR HYMN OF GRATEFUL PRAISE.
FOR THE GOOD THAT LOVE INSPIRES,
FOR A WORLD WHERE NONE EXCLUDE,
FOR A FAITH THAT NEVER TIRES,
AND FOR EVERY HEART RENEWED,
GOD OF ALL, TO YOU WE RAISE
THIS OUR HYMN OF GRATEFUL PRAISE.
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-SCRIPTURE-
Isaiah 49:15 (NRSV)
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
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-THE MESSAGE-
“Mothering”
Kenny Bishop
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying”
LORD, LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN PRAYING,
LORD, SEND YOUR SPIRIT IN THIS PLACE;
LORD, LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN PRAYING,
SEND US LOVE, SEND US POW’R, SEND US GRACE.
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-SHARNG JOYS & CONCERNS-
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-PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“As We Gather At Your Table”
AS WE GATHER AT YOUR TABLE,
AS WE LISTEN TO YOUR WORD,
HELP US KNOW, O GOD, YOUR PRESENCE;
LET OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE STIRRED.
NOURISH US WITH SACRED STORY
TILL WE CLAIM IT AS OUR OWN;
TEACH US THROUGH THIS HOLY BANQUET
HOW TO MAKE LOVE’S VICTORY KNOWN.
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-INVITATION TO COMMUNION-
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-COMMUNION MEDITATION-
“Shall We Gather at the River” arr.- S. Wilson
Brenda Gardiner
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-OFFERING-
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-IN GRATITUDE-
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-ANNOUNCEMENTS-
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-INVITATION TO RESPOND-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone”
AMAZING GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND
THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME!
I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW I'M FOUND;
WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE.
'TWAS GRACE THAT TAUGHT MY HEART TO FEAR;
AND GRACE MY FEARS RELIEVED.
HOW PRECIOUS DID THAT GRACE APPEAR
THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED.
MY CHAINS ARE GONE,
I'VE BEEN SET FREE.
MY GOD, MY SAVIOR
HAS RESCUED ME.
AND LIKE A FLOOD
GOD’S MERCY REIGNS,
UNENDING LOVE,
AMAZING GRACE.
THE LORD HAS PROMISED GOOD TO ME;
HIS WORD MY HOPE SECURES.
HE WILL MY SHIELD AND PORTION BE
AS LONG AS LIFE ENDURES.
MY CHAINS ARE GONE,
I'VE BEEN SET FREE.
MY GOD, MY SAVIOR
HAS RESCUED ME.
AND LIKE A FLOOD
GOD’S MERCY REIGNS,
UNENDING LOVE,
AMAZING GRACE.
THE EARTH SHALL SOON DISSOLVE LIKE SNOW,
THE SUN FORBEAR TO SHINE.
BUT GOD WHO LOVES ME HERE BELOW,
WILL BE FOREVER MINE,
WILL BE FOREVER MINE,
YOU ARE FOREVER MINE.
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-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-
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-SINGING TOGETHER-
“Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone”
MY CHAINS ARE GONE,
I'VE BEEN SET FREE.
MY GOD, MY SAVIOR
HAS RESCUED ME.
AND LIKE A FLOOD
GOD’S MERCY REIGNS,
UNENDING LOVE,
AMAZING GRACE.
. . . . . . . . . .
-THE TEAM-
ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner, Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Tiff Jones
BUILDING CARE: Travis Hines, Barry Thompson
FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Steve Melton, Seth Tuska
NURSERY: Linda Netherton
PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner
PROPERTY CARE: Skeet Freytag, West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste
SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Barry Thompson
SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Chris Cook
TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Erin Drenkhahn, Dale Hamilton, Keith Moore, Timmy Smallwood
MAY BULLETINS