Welcome! We hope this feels like a space you can take a deep breath in. You are loved, just as you are. Full stop. We breathe in. And out. God’s love is here. May we practice love so we can embody Jesus’ love in our daily lives, relationships & justice work.
A Quiet Room is available for anyone with sensory needs or young children. Ask an usher at the back of the sanctuary and they’ll point you toward the Quiet Room.
(*) You are invited to rise in body or spirit
Welcome | Community Life | Passing the Peace | Invitation to Centering
Prelude | Ash Grove Sam Kinney & Heidi Dum
*Call to Worship Thea Lawrence
The Spirit of God that breathes us into life, whispers: Come home.
We come home to the open arms of Love.
We come as we are.
We come with joy.
We come hungry for nourishment.
We come beaten down and burnt out.
We come eager to find our place in the whole.
We come bringing all of who we are;
our grief and our anger
our regrets and our longings.
We give God thanks, for Christ’s welcome is eternal.
*Vision of Faith
We are all God’s People! We are called by Christ to ministries of love, justice and reconciliation with our church, community and world!
*Song | God of Love and God of Power – Red Book #578 Sharon Cooper
Song | This Is Where Children Belong – Black Book #2233 Sharon Cooper
Kids Connect Pastor Jenny
Sacred Story | Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 CEB Thea Lawrence
Message | Break Open Our Roots: The Return We Didn’t Know We Needed Pastor Jenny
Hymn | You Are Mine – Black Book #2218 Joyful Noise
Joys + Concerns | Pastoral Prayer + Lord’s Prayer | Prayer Song | As the Deer – Black Book #2025 Joyful Noise
Offering + Prayer
God, receive these offerings as signs of our thanks and praise. Over and over, you extend to us the opportunity to join you in the work of justice, of redemption, of healing. Make us faithful stewards of your grace, O God. Amen.
*Song | In the Midst of New Dimensions – Black Book #2238 Sharon Cooper
*Benediction Pastor Jenny
Postlude Sharon Cooper
You’re invited to say hello after worship and enjoy coffee and snacks. Take a left and then a right as you leave the sanctuary to enter Herrmann Hall.
Community Notes
Children + Youth: All children & youth are invited to Sunday School following Kids Connect during the service. After worship, their adults can pick them up in Herrmann Hall.
Connect: When and if you feel ready to explore more, we’d love to hear more of your story and help you find a place to make friends and grow in faith. Contact Pastor Jenny at jenny@morningsideumc.org!
Open Door Church Potluck: All are invited to Keizer Clear Lake on Sunday, March 15 at 12:30 pm for a potluck lunch with our Methodist siblings in town! Morningside is invited to bring sides or salads.
Holy Week Services: We’ll host Walking For Peace: A Labyrinth Experience from 12:00-8:00 pm on Monday, March 30-Wednesday, April 1 in the sanctuary. We’ll gather for Maundy Thursday on April 2 at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm at First UMC. We’ll gather here at Morningside for Good Friday on April 3 at 7:00 pm.
Pastor: jenny@morningsideumc.org
Music Coordinator:
sharon@morningsideumc.org
Faith Formation Coordinator: julie@morningsideumc.org
Office Manager: office@morningsideumc.org