From the Sunday bulletin

This was used at the end of a litany to recognize the graduates in our congregation. These words were theirs to close the time of celebration.

Eternal light, shine in our hearts.

Eternal goodness, deliver us from evil.

Eternal power, be our support.

Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance.

Eternal pity, have mercy on us

That with all our heart and mind

and soul and strength we may seek your face

and be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence.

(Alcuin of York, 8th century)

And this was our call to worship:

Leader: The sinners, the saints, the broken, the whole...

All: We all come to this place seeking grace and hope.

Leader: The doubters, the devout, the wonderers, the wanderers...

All: We come yearning for justice and hope for all God's people.

Leader: The hesitant, the heroic, the grandparents, the little children...

All: We come to listen for the songs of joy and sing our thanks for the gifts of life, love and peace!

This was Strawberry Festival Sunday. Every year around Father's Day, when the strawberries are ripe, our church puts on a festival that Saturday and Sunday, serving strawberry shortcake, smoothies, homemade jams, pies, breads, and of course, chocolate covered strawberries. But the best part is the Sunday morning worship before we start working again. Our church band, Don't Be Alarmed, plays fantastic music. The whole congregation is awash in a sea of red as we wear our festival t-shirts. It's one of the most Spirit-filled services during the year. In a way, it's our Pentecost. We welcome visitors and crafters from all over to our town and our church. Everyone works together and pitches in, whatever can be done. The music is lively and so are we.

To quote a song we sang:

Leader: God is good...

All: All the time

Leader: And all the time...

All: God is good!

Our church band, Don't Be Alarmed