june 1ST, 2025

asbcsite
May 29, 2025
3 min read

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Valerie Holly

Please use this Order of Service to easily follow the service online.

CLICK HERE FOR HYMNS (or scroll to the bottom)

Prelude: Richard Harper

Chalice Lighting: Bringing Us Home To Love by Frances Koziar

We light this chalice today as a people dedicated to personal growth.

May it burn away the oppressions we have been taught, and glow instead with the humility

of learning.

May it reignite our dreams for a better world, and kindle our joy for simple living.

May its warmth extend out into the forgotten alleyways of exclusion, and bring us home to

love, to welcoming, and to all the challenges, the questions, and the blessings of this

beautiful path to becoming a beloved community.

Opening Hymn: “We Are a Gentle and Angry People” SLT#170

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship: “Let Us Worship God Today” by Beth Merrill Neel

Friends, let us worship God today, for God is great –God has blessed us with life, with

faith, and with community.

Let us worship God today, for God is good –

God forgives us, and encourages us, and loves us.

Let us worship God today –Because we are God’s people. Let us worship God.

Prayer of Invocation:

First Sacred Reading: John 17: 20-26 NRSV

Passing of the Peace

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns/Pastoral Prayer

Offering & Doxology: “Tis a Gift to Be Simple” SLT#16

‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free,‘tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,and when we find ourselves in the place just right,‘twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,to bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.To turn, turn will be our delight,‘till by turning, turning we come ‘round right.

Second Sacred Reading:

“I have a deep belief that God makes people as they’re meant to be. The rules forthemselves that people put upon others have nothing to do with me and my faith. I can’t allow narrow thinking that some Christians or Catholics have of what faith is to affect how vast I think faith can be. Faith is so big — so much bigger than set rules.

“As time changes, we are also meant to change. If me loving someone makes you upset, then we have to refocus. I think the main rule that we’re all supposed to follow is to love one another as you would love yourself. That’s it. That’s the big overarching thing. Am I making space to care for other people, be kind to other people, be as good to other people as I would have other people be to me? If those are the things I’m following, then I think I’m following my faith.” By Cynthia Erivo

Hymn of Reflection: “Courage to Be Who We Are” by Ruth Huber

Sermon: “It’s Important to Know” Rev. Dr. Valerie Holly

Special Music Choir: True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

Communion: Luke 22: 14-15 NRSV

14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.

15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, ”

19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the for you is the new covenant in my blood.[d]

Closing Hymn: “For All the Children” by David Lohman

Benediction:

Postlude: Richard Harper

All Souls Bethlehem Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

Ministers: All Members of ASBC

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Bill Nye

First Time Visitor?

Please sign our red Guest Book (located near the entrance)

and be our guest at the gathering following the service!