Photo: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2021. Original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.

Public Health Safety Note: Effective 5/29/2022, Sunday morning worship services will be outside in the Courtyard until increased COVID spread declines.

We Gather

“We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be; all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.” Lyrics by Rev William Walsham How, 19th c. English minister

Prelude (musician)

Welcome and Acknowledgements (Pastor Kathryn)

Welcome! No matter who you are… No matter where you are on life’s journey…

You’re welcome here! Welcome guests.

Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community.

We honor this holy ground, unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people,

standing in non-violence with hope for the safety and well-being of all beings.

Flowers In honor of Ede Donnell’s birthday. Given by Mark and Anita.

Worship Team Worship/Preacher Rev. Bladimer Paeste, Musician Vicky Jennings, Liturgist Darlene Hamady.  

Call to Worship (liturgist; Psalm 100:1-5, NIV)

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before God with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is God who made us, and we are God’s; we are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.

Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and God’s courts with praise; give thanks to God and praise God’s name. For the Lord is good and God’s love endures forever; God’s faithfulness continues through all generations.

Christ our Light, be with us! Amen.

As Pastor Kathryn lights the Christ Candle and Altar Votives, let us remember those who are not physically present, but with us in spirit or thought. Amen.

Light The Christ Candle and Altar Votives (Pastor Kathryn)

Votive Lighting Music (musician)

Time for Children “Good Gifts” Genuine giving (Pastor Kathryn)

Passing the Peace (all share gestures and words of peace) (Pastor Kathryn)

We Rest in God’s Grace

Prayer and Silence (Pastor Kathryn)

Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.

Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)

Be still. (Breathe slowly)

Be. (Breathe slowly)

(Breathe in silence) Amen.

Assurance of Grace (Pastor Kathryn) Sometimes, it isn’t easy to give. Obligations, expectations, and social customs require we share our wealth with others. Our spirits might feel coerced into doing something we don’t want to do, or maybe, we really do wish to give, but don’t have what we desire to offer.

The poor woman in today’s parable exercises free will. She chooses to boldly express her love of God financially. Her generosity is genuine. If we could speak with her, I believe she would tell us that her gift brought her deep joy.

Jesus invites us to give as she gives. What can we boldly, freely give? May God grant us the grace to welcome and embody such blessed generosity. Amen.

Special Music (musician)

We Listen

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4 (liturgist; version: NIV) As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.

Sermon: “She Gave Her All” Rev. Bladimer Paeste, member of BCCC

Sermon Hymn “Take My Life” Chalice Hymnal #609, all verses (musician)

We Pray

Pastoral Prayer (Pastor Kathryn) Source of All Life, when our woundedness advises us to horde — call us to share. When our limited vision sees only risk — open our eyes to possibilities. When we forget Your endless generosity — help us be grateful for the gift of life, for those who love us, for the free wonders of each day, and for the eternal strength of Your love. Amen.

Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer (Pastor Kathryn)

Offering of Praise “Doxology” (musician; all)

We Transition

Closing Hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” Chalice Hymnal #82, all verses (musician) Note: Let’s imagine the woman with two coins singing with us!

Announcements (pastor)

• Next Sunday
• Continue to Gather Waters

Sung Benediction “Circle Me” by Simon de Voil (Pastor Kathryn will teach the chant acapella)

Postlude (musician)

The service is concluded.

Worship Resources:

(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.

(NIV) Scripture quotations taken from ®NIV Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!

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Online Publishing Date: August 9, 2022.

Permission: Permission is not granted to share or distribute this resource beyond your community without additional permission from the author. Please attribute source and observe ethical use of all resources. Follow your platforms’ publishing requirements for all created content especially if publishing online or broadcasting. Thank you!

Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is offered free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and YouTube channel: “Kat