Image: Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber ©2022. Notice the shadow from a jasmine blossom falling upon a morning glory blossom. 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 further notice.

We Gather

“We pray that decision makers around the world be filled with compassion and love for the people for whom their decisions are impacting and that they take all of us into consideration, especially those who are unhoused, in detention centers, imprisoned, elders, children, lonely, sick and the very least of these.” – Indigenous Women Defending Mother Earth Treaty New Moon Prayer, August 27, 2022 (used with permission)

Prelude (musician)

Welcome and Acknowledgements (pastor) Welcome! No matter who you are… No matter where you are on life’s journey… You are 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 with peace toward all beings.

Flowers For the Glory of God

Worship Team Musician Ian Pong, Liturgist Norman Chong, Pastor Rev. Kathryn Schreiber.

Invocation (liturgist) High King of Heaven, Almighty Sovereign, Lord of Life, Ruler of the Universe – we gather in Your presence to worship You and practice the ways of Jesus Christ. We gather as Your Beloved Ones, made in Your image and shaped by Your blessings. May this service bring You glory, benefit our neighbors, and comfort our souls. 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)

Votive Lighting Music (musician)

Opening Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” Chalice #33 (musician)

Passing the Peace (all share gestures and words of peace; pastor)

Time for Children “Prayerful Support” (pastor) Everyone can pray for anyone.

We Rest in God’s Grace

Prayer and Silence (pastor) 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) We have been assured that we are made in the image of God. What an astonishing idea! Let us take heart on those days when we feel too small, too weak, too broken, too “whatever” to be partners with Christ. No matter who we are, no matter where we are on life’s journey, we can always pray for God’s will to be done here on earth and in heaven. Even if we don’t believe in the power of our prayer, God does. Dear Ones, this is a most powerful grace. Amen.

Special Music (musician)

We Listen

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NRSV; liturgist) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

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

Reflection: “Praying for Decision Makers” Prayer is powerful! Today’s message includes stories about praying for national leaders and the monthly prayers offered by the Indigenous Women Defending Mother Earth Treaty.

Sermon Hymn: “We Sing Your Mighty Power, O God” Chalice #64 (musician)

We Pray

Prayer Requests (pastor; all)

Pastoral Prayer (pastor) Sovereign of the Universe, every being dwells in the shadow of Your glory. You infuse us with Your goodness and wisdom though we struggle to perceive these gifts. Grant us encouragement to continue offering our little prayers for they are more than sufficient. Today, we especially pray for all persons in positions of authority. Grant them what they need to protect the dignity of all living beings and nourish the lives of all in their care. We offer our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, Ruler of our Hearts. Amen.

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

Offering of Praise “Doxology” (musician; all)

We Transition

Announcements (pastor)

• Senior Center Reopens THIS TUESDAY
• Next Sunday: “Emerging Church” report from The Summit (UCC)
• No Care and Prayer this week
• Pastor’s Sabbath shifts to FRI this week

Sung Benediction: “Circle Me” chant by Simon de Voil (Pastor Kathryn; recording)

Spoken Benediction (pastor) Let us close with prayers to Almighty God, praying with the Indigenous Women Defending Mother Earth Treaty: “We send our love and gratitude to You, Great Mystery, Creator and the unseen helper beings who are listening. We are very grateful for the gifts of life and for one another. Thank You for making us strong enough on this day to send our prayers to You.” Amen. (iwdmetnmp)

Postlude (musician)

The service is concluded.

Worship Resources:

A special word of thanks to (iwdmetnmp) Indigenous Women Defending Mother Earth Treaty New Moon Prayer, who allowed use of their published August 27, 20212. It has been quite a gift to pray with these amazing women, online, since 2020. If you would like to pray with them, with us, see Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousWomenTreaty.  

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

(NRSV) New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright ©1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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: September 13, 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 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: “Kathryn Schreiber”