9:30am Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Opening Songs - “Open the Eyes of My Heart"/“Indescribable" - Kelly & Will McGlenn Blessing of the Backpacks Children’s Message - Bailey Beam Sermon - “Listening with the Ears of the Heart” Two main characters in today’s story: Balak: King of Moab Balaam: for hire Balak is afraid of the Israelites and hires Balaam to put a curse on them: “A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a on these people, because they are too powerful for me.” —Numbers 22:5 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. Then the Lord the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” —Numbers 22:27-28 God is willing to use anything to get our attention— even a donkey! What is the first rule of St. Benedict? To with the ear of the heart. How are you attentive to God? Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” —Numbers 22:34 Finally, Balaam has the eyes to see God in the world. I hope we do too. Because God is at work in every moment of every day. Song - “Know You” Offering Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer Closing Song - “Be Thou My Vision” Benediction Postlude 11:00 Prelude - Jeff Perks Welcome - Rev. David Bonnema Call to Worship - Rev. Dana Seiler Leader: We come to worship the God of the unknown People: Open our minds to the possibilities around us. Leader: We come to worship the God of wonders; People: Open our eyes to see the beauty of creation. Leader: We come to worship the God of abundant joy; People: Open our hearts to experience the love around us. Hymn - “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” - #288 3 Verses Prayer of Confession Almighty God, today we come to confess that we often try to put You in a box. We set limits on the things that we think You can and will do. We scoff at anything that hints at the supernatural. Yet we know that You are at work in our lives, even when we cannot see or understand. Continue to reach out to us in creative ways, and open our eyes to the wonder of Your almighty power, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen. Declaration of Forgiveness Blessing of the Backpacks Children’s Message - Bailey Beam Anthem - “Day by Day” by How - Unity Choir Sermon - “Listening with the Ears of the Heart” - David Bonnema Two main characters in today’s story: Balak: King of Moab Balaam: for hire Balak is afraid of the Israelites and hires Balaam to put a curse on them: “A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a on these people, because they are too powerful for me.” —Numbers 22:5 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. Then the Lord the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” —Numbers 22:27-28 God is willing to use anything to get our attention— even a donkey! What is the first rule of St. Benedict? To with the ear of the heart. How are you attentive to God? Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” —Numbers 22:34 Finally, Balaam has the eyes to see God in the world. I hope we do too. Because God is at work in every moment of every day. Anthem - “Open My Eyes” by Scott - Unity Choir Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer Doxology Affirmation of Faith - The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Closing Hymn - “Be Thou My Vision” - #339 3 Verses Benediction Postlude