Leader: God illuminates our hearts and minds
People: To the injustices in the world.   
Leader: Aiding us to see not only our gifts
People: But Holy Wisdom, our vital companion,
Leader: Empowering us with the bold courage of two midwives
People: That we may stand up for life and dignity and civility
Leader:  Let us worship God who we cannot [...]

 
Leader: God calls us away from that which is familiar and comfortable
People: To unmarked paths and unstable terrain.
Leader: We are showered with gifts
People: Yet, we often embrace the struggles more than the blessings.
Leader: God’s time is God’s time
People: Yet, we sometimes connive or cheat to get what we want, when we want it.
Leader: Come, let [...]

CALL TO WORSHIP
 
Leader: Out of darkness God brought
People:  And continues to bring light.
Leader: Out of chaos the Holy One brought
People:  And continues to bring the rhythm of order.
Leader: Out of what cannot be seen our Creator brought
People: And continues to bring the miracle that is life.
Leader: And God deemed creation good.
People: Alleluia! Yes, it is [...]

Radical Hospitality
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Welcome to a time of wonder
People: And music that calls us home
Leader: Welcome to hear God’s words that inspire and challenge
People: And to reminders that we are offered holy hospitality -
Leader:  Hospitality that teaches us how to open our lives to others
People:  Leading us to fully live open minds, open hearts, [...]

Knowing Who We Are: Fitting In
CALL TO WORSHIP
Soloist or Choir sing the refrain from Near to the Heart of God; then the leader begins the Call to Worship
Leader: There is a place of quiet refreshment
People: Near to the heart of God
Leader:  There is a place for each of us to bloom and grow
People: Within the [...]

Knowing Who We Are: What is United Methodism?
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: We gather today remembering
People: Susannah Wesley and her passion for education,
Leader:  John Wesley’s disciplined approach to spiritual formation
People: And his never-wavering commitment to social justice,
Leader: Charles Wesley’s gift for music
People: And the legacy of faith-forming hymns he left
Leader:  Brethren who became our brothers and [...]

CALL TO WORSHIP
 Leader: Eternal One, ever creating always inviting
People: Take us to the green and thriving place
Leader: Redeeming Christ, Healing Teacher,
People: Forgive and mend this fractured world
Leader: Spirit of Fire who fills with passion and leads us even through the darkness
People: Inspire and empower us that we may love as the Samaritan called Good
Leader: Life-giving [...]

Isaiah 43: 1-4; John 15, 12-17
Knowing Who We Are; What It’s Like to Belong
 CALL TO WORSHIP 
Leader: We seek you, Living God
People: And all the while you have been seeking us
Leader: We strive to choose you from all that demands our attention
People: And you have chosen us since the beginning
Leader: As we center to worship you [...]

Litany of Remembering September 11
 
Leader: We remember people who died and people whose lives were forever changed that day
People: And surround each aching heart with our prayers.
Leader:  We remember people who risked and sometimes gave their lives
People:  Working to rescue strangers and loved ones.
Leader:  We remember those who supported the rescue workers
People:  With food, counseling, [...]

Planning for Your Memorial Service or Funeral
 
Name: ______________________________________________________­­­­______
 
 
Today’s Date: ______________________________________________________  
Date of Birth: _______________________________________________________
 
Do you desire burial or cremation? ______________________________________
 
Where do you want your body buried? ___________________________________
 
Do you want your cremains interred or scattered? _________________________
Where? ___________________________________________________________
 
Do you have a preference for where a memorial service or funeral would take place?
If so, where? _______________________________________________________
 
What writings would you [...]