Second Sunday after the Epiphany: Honoring the Life & Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship (Trinity Church, UCC, Chicago, adapted)
One: Beautiful are the works of God!
Many: Beautiful also are the skins of God’s people!
One: Beautiful is the mind of God!
Many: Beautiful also are the hopes of God’s people!
One: Beautiful is the heart of God!
Many: Beautiful also are the souls of God’s people
One: God made the beautiful heavens and the beautiful earth.
ALL: To God be glory, praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done and made!
*Opening Hymn Come Thou Font
*Prayer of Invocation (unison)
Dearest Jesus, come and sit with us today. Show us the lies that are still embedded in the soul of American’s consciousness. Unmask the truths we have made our best friends. For they seek our destruction. And we are being destroyed, Lord. Reveal the ways the lies have distorted and destroyed our relationships. They break your shalom. Jesus give us courage to embrace the truth about ourselves and you and our world. You are God; jails, bombs and bullets are not. Give us faith to believe and give us faith enough to tear down the walls that separate us with our hands, with our feet, and with our votes! Amen Adapted from prayer written by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Scripture Reading Psalms 36:5-10
Gospel Reading Luke 10:25-37
Morning Meditation Rev. June Cooper
Musical Selection Precious Lord
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer (“Our father and mother… trespasses”)
*Hymn of Departure (insert) We Shall Overcome
*Assurance and Blessing
Postlude
*Please stand if able
During this time of covid caution we welcome all
to safe, cautious congregational assembly.
It is good to worship together.
To care for one another we wear masks
(except for worship leaders while they are speaking/singing)
and note that all of our leaders are vaccinated.
Cleaning has increased and we welcome your questions.
We have a touch-free offering today
That is, you may leave a gift in the basket,
deliver an envelope after worship, send a gift
via email or online, or any touch-free method you wish
Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
54 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA
www.nhcc.net 617 527 3898
Thanks to worship leader Rev. June Cooper, guest musicians Myran and Kenneth Brass, deacons Jeff Small and Tony Rudié.
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.