April 11, 2010 ``Becoming Bread: Open Your Hand''

GATHERING
Prelude
Call to worship
Leader: People of God, if you are hungry, come to receive bread.
Followers of Christ, if you are thirsty, come and satisfy your thirst.
Why spend your money on what is not bread, and why labor on what does not satisfy?
Come and be filled; let God satisfy your deepest longings.
ALL:      We will listen to the Lord and eat what is good;
We will delight ourselves in the rich food of God's word.
We will worship God with thankful hearts.
Song sung as bread brought forward: Let us Break Bread Together

PRAISING GOD
Hymn : Praise to God, immortal praise HWB 91
Hymn : God of the Bible STJ 27

Offering

CONFESSING OUR HUNGER AND RECEIVING GOD'S GRACE
Prayer of confession:
Generous God, we confess that we are often afraid we won't have enough;
enough food, enough friends, enough time, enough work, enough to meet our needs.
We forget your goodness.
We forget that you uphold the weak and care for those in distress.
Help us to trust you and to be as generous as you are.
Become bread to us and fill us with your love.
We pray in the name of Jesus, bread of life. Amen.
Words of assurance:
``Blessed are you who are hungry now so you will be filled.'' Luke 6:21

HEARING AND RESPONDING TO THE WORD
A time for all God's children
Child Dedication
Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; John 6:1-14
Message
Sharing the Bread

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS
Commissioning of new Care Committee Members
Jan Atwood & Connie Warkentin

SENDING
Leader: Christ's food in our souls
ALL: our food shared like his.
Leader: Christ's life in our hands,
ALL: our lives shaped like his.
Leader: Christ's love in our hearts,
ALL: our love warmed through his.
Leader: Christ's peace on our path,
ALL: our path following his.