Canton Church of the Brethren

SONG 1: PLEASE ACCESS THIS VIDEO AND/OR READ THE WORDS BELOW

I BELIEVE IN ANGELS by ABBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8BVrtpe9sM

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail

I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile

I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail

I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see

I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream

 

SCRIPTURE #1:

In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”

–Michelle Obama

 

SCRIPTURE #2:

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

 

SONG #2: PLEASE ACCESS THIS VIDEO AND/OR READ THE WORDS BELOW

LOVE OF THE COMMON MAN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUM_jK1q9_Q

Todd Rundgren

I’ve been burned in my prime
The simple things in life
Seem so hard to learn sometimes
And it takes so long
Catch it while you can
Too late tomorrow
And everyone
Said we all know what comes of that
Living in your pockets and talking through your hat
But it won’t take long
To turn your head around
Too late tomorrow
‘Cause everyone needs the love of the common man
Turn the world around
Too late tomorrow
‘Cause everyone
Everyone is waiting, just anticipating on you
Won’t you make a showing everybody knows what to do

Take a dive from your ivory tower
And fall on everyone will catch you, everyone
I would be so pleased to spend some time
To hear a little talk about what’s been on your mind
‘Cause it don’t take long
To turn my head around
If it comes easy
‘Cause everyone needs the love of the common man
Turn the world around
Too late tomorrow
‘Cause everyone

 

PRAYER #1:

God,

You are the source of human dignity, and it is in your image that we are created.

Pour out on us the spirit of love and compassion. Enable us to reverence each person, to reach out to anyone in need, to value and appreciate those who differ from us, to share the resources of our nation, to receive the gifts offered to us by people from other cultures.

Grant that we may always promote the justice and acceptance that ensures lasting peace and harmony.

Help us to remember that we are one world and one family.

Amen.

(From the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council)

 

SCRIPTURE #3:

God has showed you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 

 “Love the Lord Your God with all your soul and with all your mind”.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it.  “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40

 

POEM #1:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

 

OPEN CREED by Jim Burklo PLEASE READ OUTLOUD.

(NOTE: Original Word “We” has been changed to the word “I” for our purposes.)

I worship and adore God, source, essence, and aim of all things, spirit that enlivens all beings.  I follow the way of Jesus, who found God in himself and shared a way for others to find God in themselves.  He was born through love, he lived for love, he suffered for love, he died for love, but love never dies.  I submit myself to the leading of the love that is God, that I may be compassionate toward all beings, that I may live and serve in community with others, that I may ask for and offer forgiveness, that I may praise and enjoy God forever.  

 

SONG #3: PLEASE ACCESS THIS VIDEO AND/OR READ THE WORDS BELOW

Christa Wells, “I’ll Stand by You” (The Pretenders)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMh6zleap38

Oh, why you look so sad, the tears are in your eyes,
Come on and come to me now, and don’t be ashamed to cry,
Let me see you through, ’cause I’ve seen the dark side too.
When the night falls on you, you don’t know what to do,

I’ll stand by you.
Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I’ll never desert you,
I’ll stand by you.
And when, when the night falls on you baby,
You’re feeling all alone, you’re wandering on your own,
I’ll stand by you.

I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you,
I’ll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour,
And I’ll never desert you,
I’ll stand by you,

I’ll stand by you.
I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you,
I’ll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour,
And I’ll never desert you
I’ll stand by you

 

READING #2: Of One Substance by Robert Bos

At this moment, at every moment I breathe in air,

I breathe out air; the air I breathe is also the air you breathe.  We all share the same breath, the same molecules of air; we all share the same air. 

That which is part of you and gives you life is part of me

and gives me life…and not only we but all people, and not only those alive now but also those that once lived and those who are yet to live

My breath is your breath and everyone’s breath; also animals                                          share the same breath.  What is at one moment me is at the

next moment deer or turtle or sparrow and then is part of me again.

The air we breathe in is breathed out by plants; what was me                                                    is now plant and then me again 

My body is mostly water; I drink water from streams and rivers,                                              I drink rain and it becomes my body.

 What is at one moment me is at the next moment you and                                                 then creek or tree or raccoon or hailstorm.                                                                               Water flows through me and joins me to all things.

 At every moment I am part of the great cycles of Earth –                                                           cycles of air, cycles of water, cycles of life.  I am grasses,

I am oak, I am owl, I am catfish, I am river, I am wind,                                                                I am fire, I am Earth 

God becomes human, God becomes matter, God becomes                                                      breath, God becomes water, God becomes animal, God                                                        becomes plant.  That is what it means for God to be human

 At this moment I breathe molecules of air that God in Christ breathed; the water that is me was once the body of Christ.

Every breath I breathe is God’s breath, every sip I drink is God’s blood, every morsel I eat is God’s flesh.  The body of Christ is actually

Of the same substance as my body.  The blood of Christ is my blood

 All things are of one substance with the blood of Christ; all things are of one substance with God in Christ.

 

CLOSING SONG: PLEASE ACCESS THIS VIDEO AND/OR READ THE WORDS BELOW

Angels Among Us by Alabama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_4Xfj2LRSA

I was walkin‘ home from school
On a cold winter day,
Took a short cut through the woods
And I lost my way.
It was gettin‘ late, and I was scared and alone.

Then a kind old man took my hand, and led me home.
Mama couldn’t see him,
But he was standing there,
And I knew in my heart
He was the answer to my prayer.

Oh, I believe there are Angels Among Us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times
And had me down on my knees
There’s always been someone
To come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger
To lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend
Just to say I understand
Now ain’t it kind of funny
At the dark…

 

CLOSING PRAYER:

Here I am Lord! Is it I Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

 

BENEDICTION:

Wherever you go,

Whatever you do,

May the Angels watch over you. Amen.

 

Contributors: Martha Harr, Robin Henry, Ed Carper, Kevin Kessler, Carol Davis