Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC
Put your roots down,
put your feet on the ground,
you can hear the earth sing
if you listen. (Repeat)
'Cause the sound of the river
as it moves across the stones
is the same sound as the blood in your body
as it moves across your bones.
Are you listening?
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you… ...and also with you
* SONG Draw the Circle Wide
Draw the circle,
Draw the circle wide,
Draw the circle,
Draw the circle wide.
No one stands alone,
We'll stand side by side.
Draw the circle,
Draw the circle wide. (repeat)
Draw the circle wide.
Draw it wider still,
Let this be our song
No one stands alone!
Standing side by side,
Draw the circle,
Draw the circle wide.
SCRIPTURE Mark 4: 2 - 9 reader, Johnny Buranosky
READING from an 1899 letter written by William James
to artist & friend Sarah de St. Aubin Whitman
SONG OF PREPARATION Blessed Be the Tie That Binds
Blessed be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the sharing of a common life
is like to that above.
Before our God we come
and pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share each other's woes,
Each other's burdens bear.
And often for each other flows
a sympathizing tear.
When we are called to part
it gives us inward pain,
But we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
SERMON Rev. Rebecca Anderson
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Family (from Dreamgirls)
Keanon Kyles, baritone
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
When in the past week did you see God at work?
What concerns would you like to turn over to God’s care?
PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father/Creator/Parent, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen
GIVE, SERVE, SHARE: Announcements
OFFERTORY
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* CLOSING SONG I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
When I wake up, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out, yeah, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver, yeah, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's haverin' to you
[Chorus]
But I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand
Miles to fall down at your door
When I'm workin', yes, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's workin' hard for you
And when the money comes in for the work I do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you
When I come home (when I come home), oh, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growin' old with you
[Chorus]
Da-da da da (Da-da da da)
Da-da da da (Da-da da da)
Da-da dum diddy dum diddy dum diddy da da da
When I'm lonely, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you
And when I'm dreamin', well, I know I'm gonna dream
I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you
When I go out (when I go out), well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
And when I come home (when I come home), yes, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home with you
I'm gonna be the man who's comin' home with you
[Chorus]
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Circle of Life (from The Lion King)
Keanon Kyles, baritone
* * *
Announcements
Yasuko in Girls of Yellow Diamonds - May 1st
On Friday, May 1st at 7:30pm, Art Song Chicago is presenting Girls of Yellow Diamonds, a musical journey through the lives of Asian-American women--past, present, and future. Come hear our music director, Yasuko Oura, along with Helen Huang and Alice Chung, perform this intimate recital highlighting underrepresented works by Asian American women composers, offering poignant narratives of identity, joy, and resilience. Use code OURAFRIEND to save 50% off. Tickets and more information here
Spring Migration Birding Group - May 4th
In celebration of our May theme, “Spring Migration,” Vince Amlin and Xander King will be leading a birding small group on Monday mornings, May 4, 11, and 18 at 7am at Montrose Bird Sanctuary. No experience necessary. Sign up here, bring a pair of binoculars, and join us at a world-famous birding spot right in our own neighborhood.
Book Group reads The Reservation - May 6th
Join us for our next Book Group on May 6th at 7pm. We’ll be reading The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffmann:
The Reservation explores the loves and labors of an ensemble of more than a dozen restaurant workers as they strive to get perfect meals to table. Early morning on the day of the most important booking in the restaurant’s history, the discovery of the theft of 22 ribeye steaks creates turmoil amongst the staff and an endearing “who-done-it” ensues.
Rebecca Kauffman's talent for crafting rich, empathetic characters is on full display in The Reservation, where she guides a vibrant cast through a single, high-stakes day in the life of a bustling restaurant. With her signature wit and spirit, Kauffman serves up a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the drama, grace, and grit it takes to bring a beautiful meal to the table—served with a side of chaos.
Sign up here if you plan on reading with us!
The Ancient World of Jesus Small Group - May 7th
Jesus said some outlandish things. But when we recognize that he lived in a specific historical moment of political and religious conflict, his ideas make a whole lot more sense. Together, we will learn about the ancient context that influenced Jesus' ministry to help us better interpret and apply his teachings as we navigate our own turbulent times as individuals, citizens, and seekers of justice. The group will meet May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Sign up here!
Volunteer at Nourishing Hope - May 9th
Gleaning & Sorting @ The Hub
Address: 5151 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Day & Time: Saturday, 5/9, 11:30am-3pm
Sort through donations of food and non-food items arriving at our warehouse. Check items for quality and box by item type. Help keep the warehouse clean and organized. Volunteers need to be able to stand for the majority of the shift and occasionally lift 15 lbs. Closed-toed shoes are required. Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing - something that can get a little messy. Sign up here to join!
Outer Belt Pilgrimage - May 16th
Join us for the next leg of our Outer Belt Pilgrimage! We’ll be walking together on
Saturday, May 16th.
Sign up here if you plan on joining! For more info, reach out Vince at vince@bethanychicago.com and/or go to outerbelt.org.
Spring Congregational Meeting - May 17th
Please join us for our annual congregational meeting immediately after church on Sunday, May 17. We will share and celebrate some highlights of the last year and mark the changing of council members. We will thank Wyatt Steele and Xander King for their service as they roll off the council and vote on our proposed new council members Sandra Hamilton and Ken Bertand. The meeting will be followed by a coffee hour. We hope you will join us!
Family Campout- May 23rd- 25th (Memorial Day Weekend)
Bethany UCC is making plans for our second family camp out weekend for Memorial Day weekend!
We again have reservations at Tower Hill UCC Camp in Sawyer, Michigan (right next to Warren Dunes State Park). The weekend will run Saturday afternoon May 23 to late morning Monday May 25.
The camp has hiking trails, sports fields, camp fire rings, and is walkable the beach on Lake Michigan! Read more at the link below.
To confirm plans for lodging and food, we are asking for an RSVP by Wendesday April 15.
For more information, and to let us know whether you can join us this year, please RSVP at this Google Form.
Questions? Please contact Pastor Vince or Charlie Wysong.
Help Make Worship Happen
For the next couple months, our pastors will be flying solo, which means we could use your help now more than ever! Please sign up here if you’re able to help.
Subscribe to Bethany’s Google Calendar (a work in progress!)
