Online Contemplative Service

Welcome to Worship at McFarland United Church of Christ!

April 9, 2025 ✝ Contemplative Service

Opening Prayer, Psalm 62, from Psalms for Praying

Pray Responsively:

For You alone my soul waits in silence;

From the Beloved comes my salvation

Enfolding me with strength and steadfast love,

My faith shall remain firm.

Yet how long will fear rule my life,

Holding me in its grip like a trembling child,

A dark and lonely grave?

Fear keeps me from living fully, from sharing my gifts;

It takes pleasure in imprisoning my soul.

Fear pretends to comfort, so long has it dwelled within me;

Truly, it is my enemy.

For You alone my soul waits in silence;

My hope is from the Beloved,

Enfolding me in strength and steadfast love,

My faith shall remain firm

In the silence rests my freedom and my guidance;

For you are the Heart of my heart,

You speak to me in the silence.

~*~

A Guided Meditation by James Finley

Silent Meditation followed by Reflections

~*~

A Prayer for Lent

(adapted from Kate Bowler)

Pray Responsively:

Blessed are we, searching for hope:

for peace breaking through like dawn,

for the hungry to be fed,

for pain to be relieved.

Blessed are we, who dare to dream:

parents might not fear for their children,

leaders might guard their people,

Blessed are we when good news is hard

to find.

Here, in this unfinishable life,

we bring our burdens, so heavy

to hands strong enough to carry them.

Blessed are you, walking the path of courage:

finding improbable ways to love,

offering creative acts of mercy,

and practicing irreverent defiance of despair.

Blessed are you, who create

beauty in this world.

May you carry this quiet revolution into

a world aching for signs of hope.

Blessed are we, trusting that somehow,

even now, today could be a sign

of good things to come.

The Lord’s Prayer – Celtic Version

In Unison:

Holy One beyond all names, Eternal Wellspring

May love rise again in us today

With food for every table, shelter for every family

And reverence for every life.

Forgive us our failings in love, and free us from all falseness

That the light of our souls may shine

And the strength of our spirits endure

For Earth and all its people,

This day, tonight, and forever.

Amen.

~*~

Passing of the Peace of Christ

~*~

Communion

The Lord be with you,

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts,

We lift them to the Lord

Communion will be passed from person to person, saying:

“The Bread of Life, the Cup of Blessing”

~*~

Post-Communion Prayer

In Unison:

God of Love and Light, we give thanks once again for this spiritual food and for all that it means to us.

Open our hearts to the needs of others,

especially those who are suffering or in need.

May we be a source of comfort and support, reflecting your compassion in our words and actions.

Help me to see your presence in every person and to serve you through serving others.

Amen.

~*~

Laying on of Hands with Prayers for Healing

All are welcome to come sit or kneel at a healing station to offer and receive prayers for healing with anointing.

All others sing continuously:

O Lord hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer,

When I call, answer me,

O Lord hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer,

Come and listen to me.

~*~

Prayers for Ourselves and for the World

Leader:

I ask your prayers for ourselves and for the world…

[prayers offered by members]

God in your mercy-

Response:

Hear our prayer

Closing Prayer

In unison:

God, give us courage, give us strength, give us hunger for You.

Let this set time of less be a chance for more of You.

Let this fast be an entrance into the discernment we desire, the divine presence we are longing for,

and the hope to will what You will,

oh God, to be who You've called us to be.

Amen.

~*~

What is Taizé?

The Taizé form of worship uses calming music, candlelight, and silence to promote an atmosphere of peaceful, meditative worship.

Taizé originated during World War II, in the town of the same name in the Burgundy region of France. What began as an effort by a Christian brother and sister team to hide and protect those fleeing the war later developed into an ecumenical monastery devoted to a common life of service and great simplicity, and a world pilgrimage site.

Song is one of the most essential elements of worship. In the Taizé prayer service, words are sung over many times, gradually penetrating the whole being, uniting prayer and daily life. It becomes a way of listening to God.

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Thanks so much for joining us this evening!

To receive our weekly electronic newsletter The Pulse or for a name tag, provide your name and/or email to one of our ushers or email your information to office@mcfarlanducc.org.

Pastor: Bryan Sirchio pastorb@mcfarlanducc.org

Cell: (608) 577-8716 Office: 608-838-9322

Our Servant and Leadership Team (SaLT): Moderator - Donna Grossman (donna@mcfarlanducc.org); Vice moderator - Walt Jackson; Treasurer - Kathy Schwenn; Clerk - Diane Mikelbank; At large members - Lynn Belleau, Colleen Krattiger, Lisa Schweitzer, Cody Dewayne Shingler, and Judy Taber

Healing Prayer Team: Cameron Macdonald (Cameron1985@gmail.com), Lisa Ludwig, Martha Olsen, Trish Kalhagen, Anne Simon-Wolf, Tom Ludwig

Pianist: Bryan Sirchio

“The Wine of Sweet Communion,” Ken Medema