Hello
The rainbow has always been a symbol of hope, a sign of the covenant, a memory of God’s love and promise to care for creation. If you remember the story in Genesis when God floods the earth, you know that Noah and his family single handedly gathered all of the animals of the earth two by two and loaded them onto the ark. For forty days and forty nights the rains poured and the earth flooded, and finally the sun came out and a rainbow was set into the cloud as a reminder not only to the earth but as a reminder to God of the promise to never again destroy creation. “My covenant is between you and me and every living creature of the earth.” As we consider the rainbow’s sign of hope, we cannot help but feel God’s incredible love for all of us. Truly this is a symbol of inclusion for all, a bond between us and our creator, and a sign of indestructible love. As we wear our bright colors and celebrate our intentional inclusiveness in welcoming all into our midst let us remember that God has loved us since creation, and desires nothing but love for us now! So let us celebrate!
Be sure to join us this Sunday and invite your friends and neighbors! The nurture commission has a feast planned! See you at the party!
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The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
Welcoming God
Children are welcome, Christ said one day,
When the disciples urged them away.
Children are welcome at Jesus' knee:
God's own example for ministry.
Welcoming God, You open the Way:
Even the smallest worship and pray,
Singing with faith and serving You well,
Your life to know and good news tell.
Women are welcome, as are the men;
Through God's own Spirit, we're partners again.
Partners as prophets, ministers, too:
No more divided - made one anew.
Welcoming God, You open the way;
Those once divided join now to pray,
Serving at Table, preaching Your Words,
So that Your love for all will be heard.
Outcasts are welcome; sinners are, too,
Eating with Jesus and being made new:
Some like Zacchaeus turned right around;
Wounded and poor ones felt peace profound.
God of great love, You stand at the door,
Welcoming people outcast and poor.
So You forgive and call us to be
Filled with the joy of Your jubilee.
So may we welcome into our pew
All who in Jesus are being made new-
All those who seek him, wanting to know,
Wanting to love him, wanting to grow.
Welcoming God, You stand at our door,
As someone different, outcast or poor.
With longing eyes, Lord Jesus, You search
May we all welcome You in Your church.
Sung to "Blessed Assurance"
Tune: ASSURANCE Irr.
Words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Co-Pastor, Limestone Presbyterian Church,
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Holy God,
You created the world and called it GOOD!
You know us and call us each by name, ever aware of our innate goodness.
May we see your creation the way you do, with love, concern, and a desire to preserve all that is good.
We celebrate this day for all of your creation, a world where all are included, all our loved, and all are welcome.
We pray that we might be the sanctuary we believe ourselves to be.
In the name of the one who lived with radical love,
Amen.
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Announcements
Did you miss the sermon this week? Just click here to listen now:
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org/podcast/sermons or http://fairviewcc.mypodcast.com/
Did you read about our celebration in the paper yesterday? If not read it now: http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/04/15/religion/dpt-fairviewchurch041608.txt
Open, Welcoming, and Affirming Celebration! April 20th, 2008
Come and celebrate our new status! This is a perfect Sunday to invite someone to church!
Progressive Christians Uniting Executive Director
Rev. Peter Laarman to preach!
Meet our new interim UCC conference minister Jane Fisler Hoffman, and welcome back our ABC executive minister Marcia Patton!
Wear bright colors to celebrate! Bring your friends and family members!
The Church that Reads Together, Grows Together!
Okay…so I made that up, but it must be true! A new
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
Join us on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7pm
at Rebecca and Libby’s house:
Divine on the Vine: Word and Wine on Wednesdays!
Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:00pm
Join us for Wine, Juice, Cheese and Goodies!
We love to study, question, discuss and grow.
Join our AIDS WALK team! Walk with us on May 10th or Sponsor us by clicking online: http://my.e2rm.com/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=58903&LangPref=en-CA
It’s that easy! Hope you’ll help
In Covenant,
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Halverson
(714) 545-4610
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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