Note: This bulletin can be printed by pressing cntrl+P or by clicking here.

World Communion &
Blessing of the Animals
10/04/2026 - 10:30 am     

 

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTE FOR MISSION                     “Clean Start”                                      Dana Johnson

CENTERING MUSIC                       “His Eye is On The Sparrow”                   C.H. Gabriel

MOMENT OF HOPE

CALL TO WORSHIP:

One: Throughout God’s world this day Christian churches are celebrating the Eucharist as one family dining together in one room under one roof.

People: Our sisters and brothers in Africa, Europe, Central America, Asia and in all lands and countries join us in lifting the bread of life and the cup of salvation.

One: Neither powers nor principalities shall stop us nor deter our purpose, our sense of mission, or our challenge to go forth as disciples into every town, village, and crossroad proclaiming the love of Christ for all creation.

People: In Christ’s love there is no East, no West, no North, no South, but only one Spirit of hope, love and peace for all.

One: Let us praise Christ!  May this holy meal empower each of us to be agents of hope and peace in a time of uncertainty and strife.

People: The bread and wine are not for us alone, but are symbols of a universal message that surpasses the might of missiles and the walls of oppression.

One: May Christ bless the worldwide communion of the church this day!

People: Praise be to Christ our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior!  Amen.

*OPENING HYMN  #505    The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing

The trumpets sound the angels sing; the feast is ready to begin. 
The gates of heaven are open wide, and Jesus welcomes you inside.
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight.
Come and revel in heaven’s love and light.
Take your place at the table of the King.
The feast is ready to begin; the feast is ready to begin.

Tables are laden with good things; O taste the peace and joy he brings.
He’ll fill you up with love divine; he’ll turn your water into wine.
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight.
Come and revel in heaven’s love and light.
Take your place at the table of the King.
The feast is ready to begin; the feast is ready to begin.

The hungry heart he satisfies, offers the poor his paradise.
Now hear all heaven and earth applaud the amazing goodness of the Lord.
Sing with thankfulness songs of pure delight.
Come and revel in heaven’s love and light.
Take your place at the table of the King.
The feast is ready to begin; the feast is ready to begin.

PRAYER CELEBRATING GOD’S PRESENCE WITH ALL LIVING THINGS:

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in
heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of
weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and
herbs.

Lord, may we realize that as our pets trust us to take care of them, so we should trust You to take care of us, and in taking care of them we share in Your love for all Your creatures. Enlighten our minds to preserve all endangered species so that we may continue to appreciate all of Your creations. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL

        Come Away with Me to a quiet place
        Apart from the world with its frantic pace
        To pray, reflect and seek God’s grace.
         Come away with me, Come away.

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

One: God offers rivers in the deserts of our arid lives, that we might recognize and honor the One who creates and provides.  We are nourished in body and spirit at the table Christ sets before us.  Together with all creation, we sing God’s praises for God is doing a new thing within us and among us.  Move ahead in faith, praising God for giving us community with all creation.  Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader:      The peace of Christ be with you.
People:     And with you also.
Leader:      Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People:     The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)

ANTHEM                                 “All Creatures of Our God and King”                                  by Mark Hayes
                                                     Words by St. Francis of Assisi

MOMENT FOR CHILDREN

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader: God in your grace,
People: Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you.  Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.

Your kingdom come, your 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.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

                        Psalm 148:7-14;  1 Corinthians 12:12-31;  John 17:20-23

RESPONSE

Reader:      The Word of the Lord
People:     Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION,  from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor:       May the words of my mouth
People:     And the meditations of our hearts
All:            Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
                 Our rock and our redeemer.  Amen.

SERMON:  Unity of Creation                                                           Pastor Barbara Barkley

MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS AND OUR PEACEMAKING OFFERING (The peacemaking offering goes to support, inspire, equip and connect Presbyterians working towards reconciliation and peace in the world.)

OFFERTORY              “Bless the Beasts and the Children”             Barry Devorzon

*DOXOLOGY                                                                                  Tune: OLD HUNDRED

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.   Amen.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

All we have is yours, Oh God.  With gratitude for all you have done for us, we return this small portion back to you with prayers that it may be used to your glory.  In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

HYMN: #753   Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there isa darkness, only light, and where there’s sadness, ever joy

O, Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled,
as to console, to be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love, with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

Communion Litany:

One: Let us give thanks!

People: Our God has bent down and fed us!

One: Like a mother, God has held us;

People: Our God has calmed and quieted our fear!

One: Like a father God has forgiven us,

People: and removed our sins from us!

One: Bless God’s holy name!

People: And forget not all God’s benefits!

All: We thank you for the promise of this meal; presence to break the bonds of isolation, power to overcome our powerlessness.  We thank you for the promise of this day: new life for tired spirits, victory for the faithful.  Help us to reach out to each other in community and be agents of renewal.  May your resurrection happen in and through us.  Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE: SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP

Here at Clayton Valley, we practice open communion, and all believers are welcome.  We do not use alcohol so that all may come to the table of our Lord.

 

Each row will be directed by an usher to come to the front of the sanctuary by way of the center aisle.  Please tear a piece of bread from the loaf.  When offered the cup, dip your bread into the cup.  After receiving the bread and the cup, you may respond, “Amen”.  At that point, please make a circle around the outside of the sanctuary so we may face and see one another for the closing prayer.

COMMUNION PRAYER

CLOSING HYMN:   #527      Eat This Bread

                        Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry.
                        Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and you will not thirst.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE      Go with God

Go with God, go with God.
As you leave this place, go with God.
God will direct your way, God will light every day.
As you leave this place, go with God.

*POSTLUDE                “Talk to the Animals”                                            Leslie Bercuisse