Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC Wild and Free by Sarina Partridge
Let there always be something wild here
Beating at the heart here
Standing at the edge of what’s known
There will always be something wild here
Wild and free
Wild and free
WELCOME
* OPENING SONG Some Glad Morning (I’ll Fly Away)
Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
[Chorus]
I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
Chorus
Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you… ...and also with you
* SONG Standing in the Need of Prayer #519
Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer;
Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer.
Refrain:
It’s me, it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer;
It’s me, it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer.
Not the preacher, nor the deacon, but it’s me, O God
standing in the need of prayer;
Not the preacher, nor the deacon, but it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer.
[Refrain]
Not my father, nor my mother, but it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer;
Not my father, nor my mother, but it’s me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer.
[Refrain]
Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it's me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer;
Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it's me, O God,
standing in the need of prayer.
[Refrain]
SCRIPTURE Isaiah 65: 17-18, 21-23 read by Sandra Hamilton
READING From “You are Accepted” by Paul Tillich
SONG OF PREPARATION - Amazing Grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.
SERMON Rev. Vince Amlin
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Home (by Greg Holden and Drew Pearson)
Sarah McCollum, mezzo soprano
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 Blackbird
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin Along
Sarah McCollum, mezzo soprano
* * *
Announcements
Refugee Team Supply Drive
The Bethany Refugee Team is organizing a supply drive to help out refugee families currently being served by RefugeeOne. We will be collecting items (box in the Narthex for small items) for the next few weeks. If you can help with the first items on the list (dishes), contact Judy Beaupre (jhbeaupre@yahoo.com) to coordinate pickup and delivery.
Items Needed:
-Three sets of dishes (for three families)
-Deodorant (men’s and women’s)
-Shampoo
-Bar soap
-Toothpaste
-Toothbrushes
-Toilet paper
-All-purpose cleaning spray
-Liquid laundry detergent'
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!)
