Call to Worship by Thom Shuman

 

We come this day, Precious God,
as people in need of your steadfast love:
with you is the fountain of life;
in your Light we see light.
We gather this day, Water-changing God,
as people looking for signs:
with you is the fountain of life;
in your Light we see light.
We worship this day, Gifting God,
as people who confess Jesus as our Lord:
with you is the fountain of life;
in your Light we see light.

 

Song – God With Us

 

Scripture Reading – Psalm 36:5-10

 

5 But your loyal love, Lord, extends to the skies;
your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains;
your justice is like the deepest sea.
Lord, you save both humans and animals.
7 Your faithful love is priceless, God!
Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the bounty of your house;
you let them drink from your river of pure joy.
9 Within you is the spring of life.
In your light, we see light.
10 Extend your faithful love to those who know you;
extend your righteousness to those whose heart is right.

 

Song – All People That On Earth Do Dwell

 

Prayer of Petition by Erik Alsgaard

 

Lord, we need a miracle today.
Like Jesus changing water into wine
at the wedding feast in Cana,
we need a miracle today.
We are tired, Lord, of the hurts of this world.
We are discouraged
in the face of injustice, war, poverty, and indifference.
We need a miracle today, Lord.
Your steadfast love, like a mighty mountain,
will not be moved.
Your gifts, as many as the mighty winds,
cannot be counted.
Your glory, like a mighty torch,
will not be put out.
Lord, crown us with your love.
Show us your glory,
that in you we may be moved
to acts of kindness, love, justice, and mercy.
Lord, we need a miracle today. Amen.

 

Scripture Reading – John 2:1-11

 

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.

 

6 Nearby were six stone water jars used for the Jewish cleansing ritual, each able to hold about twenty or thirty gallons.

 

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter,” and they did. 9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.

 

The headwaiter called the groom 10 and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.” 11 This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

 

Video Sermon

 

Prayer of Intercession Adapted from Bruce Pewer

 

God of wedding parties and new wine,
of love and laughter, dancing and singing,
we pause to pray for those among your worldwide family
who today may be feeling left out in the cold.

 

Bless the many people who must toil for such long hours
that there is no time or energy to laugh or sing.

 

Bless your children who feel so demeaned and exploited
that they view even angels of mercy with suspicion and fear.

 

Bless the many folk who are caught in vicious cycles of evil
and can see no way to escape.

 

Bless those among your children whose every waking hour is spent in pain,
and whose sleep is at the best fitful.

 

Bless those people who are drawn to Christ and new life,
yet who fear the scorn of family, friends or workmates.

 

Bless your children who once tasted the new wine of Christ
but have now slipped away into indifference, or maybe despair.

 

Bless those folk who with much trembling,
hand their lives over to you this day.
May they find faith and courage for the days to come.

 

Bless the people of your church,
that abundant love may flow in our prayers
and our prayers flow into generous words and deeds.

 

In the name of the Christ who makes all things new. Amen!

 

Benediction