Oakhurst Presbyterian Church USA

May 1, 2022 Worship

Earth Sunday 

Invest in Our Planet

Order of Worship

Prelude                                     Matt Wauchope

WE GATHER

Welcome and Announcements             Rev. Amantha Barbee                                                         

Call to Worship        John Baldwin                                                                                                

Like Job in the whirlwind, or Jonah in the storm at sea, we come before you in awe of your power, God. We recognize that today’s storms and whirlwinds are not your judgment on your people, but the distortion of natural systems through our own sin and hubris. As the storms and whirlwinds of the climate crisis accelerate around us, may our sanctuary be a place of refuge and resilience, where all of God’s creation might be protected and sustained, and from which we, People of God, might be sent forth to bring healing and justice                                      

Invocation       Margie Ashe                             

Prayers for the World  

For all those around the world who have lost their homes, livelihoods, or communities to the climate crisis and to raging wars. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

For our nonhuman siblings whose habitats are destroyed by the effects of greed and accumulation. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

For decision-makers, that their choices might create a more beautiful, whole, resilient world.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

For our own church, that we might be bearers of hope and resilience in our community, a place of refuge in the midst of crisis and disaster. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

Opening Hymn                         All Things Bright and Beautiful           Cecil Frances Alexander

Refrain:

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful,

the Lord God made them all.

1 Each little flower that opens,

each little bird that sings,

God made their glowing colors,

God made their tiny wings. [Refrain]

2 The purple-headed mountain,

the river running by,

the sunset, and the morning

that brightens up the sky; [Refrain]

3 The cold wind in the winter,

the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden,

God made them, ev’ry one. [Refrain]

4 God gave us eyes to see them,

and lips that we might tell

how great is God Almighty,

who has made all things well. [Refrain

OUR HUMANITY

 Prayer of Confession & Pardon       

Responsive Reading       (Taken from the Psalms)                                                              Peter Ward

Reader: Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. 

All: Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Grant us courage to act as your hands and feet. 

Reader: God covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. 

All: We ask forgiveness as more of your world is wounded, as people suffer, as species die. 

Reader: You made people rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 

All: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.             

Passing of the Peace                        Peter Ward                         

   THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination                                                                                         Suzette Gooch

Old Testament Reading:       Job 12:7-10 ESV

Anthem                 Hear Our Prayer                                                       

Introduction of Speaker   Dorrie Toney

New Testament Reading:                     1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV                       Hermina Glass-Hill

Sermon:                 SOS! Canary in the Coal Mine

  IN RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Holy Communion

Communion Hymn         Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ            Fred Kaan/Doreen Potter

Let us talents and tongues employ,

reaching out with a shout of joy:

bread is broken, the wine is poured,

Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one,

at his table he sets the tone,

teaching people to live to bless,

love in word and in deed express.

Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out

bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

gives us love to tell, bread to share:

God (Immanuel) everywhere!

Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Invitation to the Table                   

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts!

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…..

Holy, holy, holy, Lord 

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest! 

Prayers of the People         Text Your Prayer Requests to: 404-551-3790          

The Lord’s Prayer

Words of Institution           

Partaking of the Bread and Cup            

Prayer after Communion  

Tithes and Offerings                         

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Hymn of Praise                             Hallelujah We Sing Your Praises                                      Grindall

[Refrain:]

Hallelujah! We sing your praises,

all our hearts are filled with gladness.

Hallelujah! We sing your praises,

all our hearts are filled with gladness.

1. Christ the Lord to us said:

I am wine, I am bread;

I am wine, I am bread,

give to all who thirst and hunger. [Refrain]

2. Now he sends us all out,

strong in faith, free of doubt;

strong in faith, free of doubt,

tell to all the joyful Gospel. [Refrain

Doxology - Prayer of Thanksgiving

          Praise God from whom all blessings flow

          Praise Christ all people here below

          Praise Holy Spirit ever more

          Praise Triune God, whom we adore

Call to Action                                                                                                                 Anna Bennett 

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” – Dolores Huerta

Introduction of Representative from Chattahoochee Nature Center                   Micah Lipscomb

Remarks about our visitor – the owl                                                                     Mary Etta Gregory

Sending Song                                      God of the Sparrow                                        Vajda/Schalk

1. God of the sparrow

God of the whale

God of the swirling stars

How does the creature say Awe

How does the creature say Praise

2. God of the earthquake

God of the storm

God of the trumpet blast

How does the creature cry Woe

How does the creature cry Save

3. God of the rainbow

God of the cross

God of the empty grave

How does the creature say Grace

How does the creature say Thanks

4. God of the hungry

God of the sick

God of the prodigal

How does the creature say Care

How does the creature say Life

5. God of the neighbor

God of the foe

God of the pruning hook

How does the creature say Love

How does the creature say Peace

6. God of the ages

God near at hand

God of the loving heart

How do your children say Joy

How do your children say Home

Benediction                                                                                                   Rev. Amantha Barbee

Worship Leaders today include:  

Hermina Glass-Hill, Speaker; Rev. Amantha Barbee, Senior Pastor, 

Matt Wauchope, Musician;  EarthCare Team, Liturgists

We welcome Hermina Glass-Hill, Field Rep. GA Oceana Staff to our pulpit today. As Oceana’s Georgia Field Representative, Hermina builds on-the-ground support for Oceana’s U.S. campaigns in the coastal state of Georgia. She is a woman of great honors and work. Please find more about her here