St. Andrew’s United Church “Gifts have ribbons, not strings” May 10, 2015 Vanna Bonta

Opening our Doors PreludeWendy Hardman Welcome & Announcements - Presbytery Questionnaires due TODAY! Children's MessageBianka Warren * Passing the Peace * Hymn "God Is Here" (Voices United #389 & Screen)

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer, may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share. Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts wait the coming of the Spirit into our open minds and hearts.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Here are symbols to remind us of our life-long need of grace; here are table, font and pulpit; here the cross has central place. Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech, here in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold; here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us, as of old. Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore what it means in daily living to believe and to adore.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta God of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out. Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive; we who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe! - Words: Fred Pratt Green - Music: William Rowlands

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta * Call to Worship One:A prophet-woman broke a jar, by Love's divine appointing. With rare perfume, she filled the room, presiding and anointing. ALL:A prophet woman broke a jar, the sneers of scorn defying. With rare perfume she filled the room, preparing Christ for dying.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta One:A faithful woman left a tomb by Love's divine commission. She saw, she heard, she preached the Word, arising from submission. ALL:A faithful woman left a tomb, with resurrection gospel. She saw, she heard, she preached the Word, apostle to apostles.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta One:Though woman-wisdom, woman-truth, for centuries were hidden, unsung, unwritten, and unheard, derided and forbidden, ALL:the Spirit's breath, the Spirit's fire, on free and slave descending, can tumble our dividing walls, our shame and sadness mending.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta One:The Spirit knows, the Spirit calls, by Love's divine ordaining, the friends we need to serve and lead, their powers and gifts unchaining. ALL:The Spirit knows, the Spirit calls, from women, men and children, the friends we need, to serve and lead. Rejoice and make them welcome! AMEN. - Brian Wren (1991)

Opening our Hearts Prayers for Peace & Candle Lighting Silent Prayer & Lord's Prayer (Voices United #959) Presentation of Tithes & Offerings Offertory * Song "God of Love" Screen (sung to the tune of "Edelweiss")

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta God of love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you. May our lives do your will, guide and guard us forever. Give us courage to stand for truth, help us care for others. God of love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you. * Prayer of Dedication

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta * Hymn "She Comes Sailing..." (Voices United #380 & Screen) She comes sailing on the wind, her wings flashing in the sun; on a journey just begun, she flies on. And in the passage of her flight, her song rings out through the night, full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Silent waters rocking on the morning of our birth, like an empty cradle waiting to be filled. And from the heart of God the Spirit moved upon the earth, like a mother breathing life into her child.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Many were the dreamers whose eyes were given sight when the Spirit filled their dreams with life and form. Deserts turned to gardens, broken hearts found new delight, and then down the ages still she flew.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta She comes sailing on the wind, her wings flashing in the sun; on a journey just begun, she flies on. And in the passage of her flight, her song rings out through the night, full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta To a gentle girl in Galilee, a gentle breeze she came, a whisper softly calling in the dark, the promise of a child of peace whose reign would never end, Mary sang the Spirit song within her heart.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Flying to the river, she waited circling high above the child now grown so full of grace. As he rose up from the water, she swept down from the sky, and she carried him away with her embrace.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta She comes sailing on the wind, her wings flashing in the sun; on a journey just begun, she flies on. And in the passage of her flight, her song rings out through the night, full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Long after the deep darkness that fell upon the world, after dawn returned in flame of rising sun, the Spirit touched the earth again, again her wings unfurled, bringing life in wind and fire as she flew on.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta She comes sailing on the wind, her wings flashing in the sun; on a journey just begun, she flies on. And in the passage of her flight, her song rings out through the night, full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.

Opening our Minds Ancient Wisdom: John 15:9-17 Song "This The Gift to Be Simple" (Voices United #353 & Screen) Contemporary Wisdom: David Brooks MessageRev. James

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free, tis the gift to come down where you ought to be, and when we find ourselves in the place just right, it will be in the valley of love and delight.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta When true simplicity is gained, to bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed; to turn, turn will be our delight, til by turning, turning, we come round right.

Opening our Minds Ancient Wisdom: John 15:9-17 Song "This The Gift to Be Simple" (Voices United #353 & Screen) Contemporary Wisdom: David Brooks MessageRev. James

Opening our Minds Ancient Wisdom: John 15:9-17 Song "This The Gift to Be Simple" (Voices United #353 & Screen) Contemporary Wisdom: David Brooks MessageRev. James

Opening our Lives * Congregational Prayer God our Mother, Living Water, River of Mercy, Source of Life, in whom we live and move and have our being, who quenches our thirst, refreshes our weariness, bathes and washes and cleanses our wounds,

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta be for us always a fountain of life, and for all the world a river of hope springing up in the midst of the deserts of despair. Honouring and blessing, glory and praise to You forever. AMEN. - Miriam Therese Winter (1987)

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta * Hymn"Who Is My Mother" (More Voices #178 & Screen) Who is my mother, who is my brother? All those who gather round Jesus Christ: Spirit-blown people born from the Gospel sit at the table round Jesus Christ.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Differently abled, differently labelled, widen the circle round Jesus Christ: crutches and stigmas, culture’s enigmas, all come together round Jesus Christ.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Love will relate us color or status can’t segregate us round Jesus Christ: family failings, human derailings all are accepted round Jesus Christ.

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta Bound by one vision, met for one mission we claim each other, round Jesus Christ: here is my mother, here is my brother, kindred in Spirit, through Jesus Christ. Amen! - Words: Shirley Erena Murray - Music: Ron Klusmeier

“Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta * Benediction * Song Go make a difference. We can make a difference. Go make a difference in the world. - Steve Angrisano & Tom Tomaszek (1997) * Postlude Wendy Hardman

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! “Gifts have ribbons, not strings” Vanna Bonta