“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly . . .”
WORSHIP WITH CAPITOL HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1100 Fillmore St.
Denver, Co. 80206
303-333-9366
www.capitolheightspresbyterian.org
June 18, 2017
“If we measure eternity over against the concept of life,
not death, then we come upon the definition of eternity
put forward by the Latin philosopher Boethius ‘eternity is the unlimited, whole, simultaneous, perfect
possession’ - or, I would say, enjoyment - ‘of life’.
“If this is applied to God, then God’s eternity means
God’s eternal life, God’s blissful vitality, and God’s
inexhaustibly creative fullness of life. Applied to human
beings, it means that this life itself is already eternal
life, because it is affirmed through God’s YES and is
loved with God’s creative love . . .” Jürgen Moltmann
“Life is affirmed and loved and enjoyed in the living
God.”
Moltmann, The Living God and the Fullness of Life
Our blue light shines with prayers for healing for all who struggle with AIDS.
Our light amid barbed wire shines with prayers for healing and freedom
for all with chronic illness, severe pain, and under oppression,
and for all who suffer from spread of violence.
We always light a candle in prayer for Shalom,
the fullness of peace and well-being.
Let us open with a meditation Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.
THOUGH I MAY SPEAK
Hymn 335
An affirmation of a faith orientation If I love I shall speak with the tongues of humans and of
angels.
In love I see the mysteries of God,
and take delight in knowing God for God’s sake.
As I live in love faith stops before nothing as made
impossible.
As I love my life abounds in the fullness of all life, every life
even those in disregard become my brothers and sisters,
and the brokenness of things are held as being made whole.
In love I am not consumed with self interest, but I live free
with a whole creation in my heart, my hands bearing
blessing.
Indeed, there abides in the livingness of God’s dear creation,
faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.
Now praying - with Julia Esquivel of Guatemala
Let Your kingdom come;
Your kingdom which is freedom and love,
which is sisterhood and brotherhood,
which is righteousness and life,
which is truth and justice.
[And from the Philippines]- Lord, in these times
when we fear losing hope or feel our efforts are futile,
let us see in our hearts and minds the image of Your resurrection,
and let that be the source of courage and strength; with that and in Your company
help us to face challenges and struggles
against all that is born of injustice - for in You
the enduring governance, the free empowerment, and the beauty abide forever,
amen.
A brief reflection on giving together in love from a dear brother . . .
The Morning Offering with music for continued meditation . . .
Another affirmation of our faith practice We know what God in keeping with God’s character and way requires of us simply to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly
with the God of us all, amen.
Reflection on God and God’s Meaning for Fullness of Life,
remembering Jesus who said - I am come to seek and to save the lost . . .
An invitation to a common table set within and through the life of Jesus gathered with prayers of remembrance, thanks, and hope . . .
Communion as we sing - AS WE GATHER AT YOUR TABLE
As we gather at your table,
as we listen to your word,
help us know, O God, your presence;
let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet
how to make Love's victory known.
Turn our worship into witness
in the sacrament of life;
send us forth to love and serve you,
bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion
to forgive as you forgave;
may we still behold your image
in the world you died to save.
Gracious Spirit, help us summon
other guests to share that feast
where triumphant Love will welcome
those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us,
nor will pride our peace destroy,
as we join with saints and angels
to repeat the sounding joy.
Prayerfully, our celebrations, concerns, opportunities,
and reflections we celebrate today as it is the 45th Anniversary of Bill
Calhoun’s ordination!
ETERNAL GOD WHOSE POWER UPHOLDS
Hymn 412
"Beauty is before me,
and
Beauty behind me above me and
below me hovers the beautiful.
I am surrounded by,
I am immersed in it.
In my youth, I am aware of it,
and, in old age,
I shall walk quietly the beautiful trail.
In beauty, it is begun.
In beauty, it is ended." Navajo Blessing
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Please join us following worship for fellowship with refreshment downstairs in our
social hall.
Today’s Dialogue at 11 welcomes Mattvei Lapitshy, a Story Teller from Close to Home
who will share with us his from his experience of having lived without a home. Please come and share with
Mattvei in this important work he is doing in telling such a story.