Bishop Pascua Brings Greetings

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday, February 26^th, 2007

Stewart Chapel

Welcome

Prelude Ümawit Kang Masaya (Sing Joyfully) Lucio San Pedro

Arr. Ed Avila

*Call to Worship

We have gathered in the presence of God our creator,

who sets before us the ways of life and death.

We have gathered in the presence of Jesus the Christ,

who calls us to accept the cost of discipleship that we may know its joy.

We have gathered in the presence of the Spirit, who sustains us in trial and rejoicing.

In our living and our dying, we belong to God.

In the shadow of God’s wings, we sing for joy.

Let us worship God.

*Hymn PH#101 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Prayer for Peace

Suffering God, from the wondrous cross light spills into our world revealing places of deepest shadow where your justice and your peace wait to be realized. In this time of Lent we are especially conscious of those living in the shadow who look to you as their hope and their salvation against the horrors this world inflicts upon them. Hear us God:

We hunger for your justice. We thirst for your peace.

In the Philippines today, O God, hear the cries of the afflicted and victims of injustice, those marginalized, the poor peasants and workers and those of our people struggling to live out their faith as your witness in spreading the good news of love and peace here on earth; uplift and comfort them and stand in protection against all the evils of this world. Always be with us in solidarity with our people as we know you are the God of history, justice and freedom. Hear us God:

We hunger for your justice. We thirst for your peace.

Alleviate your people’s suffering, Lord, we pray, but also we know that it is from these places of darkness that your justice and your peace ultimately spring. We have confidence that you are already at work and that the darkness cannot stand, but your kingdom will be established and so we have courage not only to wait and to pray, but to labor with you. Let our hands be your hands. Let our voices speak your word. Let our lives be for you and for all who suffer. Hear us as we pray:

Grant, O God, That your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that the barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear,

And hatreds cease, and that, with our divisions healed,

We might live in justice and peace;

Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Special Music Pagka't Ang Diyos Natiý Diyos ng Pagibig

(Because Our God is a God of Love) Elena Maquiso Arr. Ed Avila

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Readings 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Luke 13:1-5

Sermon “Faith under Fire” Bishop Pascua

*Hymn Kung Pista sa Nayon ("This is Our Fiesta")

1. Kung pista sa nayon ay nagsasayawan,

kay ganda-gandang pagmasdan ang maliliit na hakbang,

at ang manga basong may taglay na ilaw

sa ulo't mga kamay may ingat na nakalagay.
Ningas na taglay ng mga ilawan
Sa liksi ng pagsasayaw, ni isaý walang napatay,
di bumabagsak si gumigiwang
kay ganda-gandang pagmasdan walang kasing pantay..

This is our fiesta! Come and see the dancers;
every dainty step that they make adds a little more as they make
tapestries of magic, movement, light, and music
Oh! What skill to keep the lamp so steady on their heads and hands.
Yes, it's wonderful, quite incredible
even when they twirl round about, not a candle falls or goes out!
Share their sense of fun, many seeming one
praise to God who shows the way with such a bright gift of dance.

2. Kung pista sa nayon ay nagsasayawan,
kumikislap ba ilawan ay parang bituing kumikinang,
sa pagsasayaw ay matatag ang ilaw
at nakangiti sila na parang walang anuman;
Tayoý magsayaw sa Diyos na mahal
nagkikislap ang ilawan sa hakbang natin ang gabay,
sa 'ting pagindak manga ilawan ay
pakaingatan na ito ay di bumagsak.

This is our fiesta! Come and see the dancers;
every twinkling trace that they leave
adds a little more as they weave
Tapestries of magic, movement, light and music;
happy faces smile and shine, feet find one rhythm for tonight (today)
Let us now join in, gladly celebrate: may the Lord inspire us to dance
give us grace to bold fast our lampos,
teach us how to pray as we leap and sway,
when we’ve caught the Spirit's flame, there is no end to the light.

*Charge & Benediction

Pagka't Ang Diyos Natiý Diyos ng Pagibig

(Because Our God is a God of Love) Elena Maquiso Arr. Ed Avila

Participants in Worship:

Bishop Eliezer Malihan Pascua, General Secretary of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines

Rev. Edgar Avila, Musician

Mr. Arn Lou Mutia, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Dan Hoggatt, Musician

Mr. Aric Clark, Chaplain’s Assistant

Resources:

Greeting taken from the Book of Worship: United Church of Christ, adapted from Hebrews 12:2.

Call to Worship taken from the Book of Worship: United Church of Christ.

A portion of the Prayer for Peace adapted from The Book of Common Order.