“Can These Bones Live?”, Rev. Kevin Omi

This entire service is available as an audio recording. Click here to listen and then follow the service on this page.

Please join me in our Call to Worship: 

Holy God, through the depths of your love, our hearts are connected to one another and you as we gather in our separate homes during this challenging time. Even in the midst of our growing concerns for our world, help us to find beauty and hope each day. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “In This Very Room”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcTfcpabYK8, DarleneBAZ, Composers: Carol Harris, Ron Harris

Opening Prayer for this day: Psalm 139:1-6 (The Passion Translation)

Lord, you know everything there is to know about me.
You perceive every movement of my heart and soul,
and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind.
You are so intimately aware of me, Lord.
You read my heart like an open book
and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.
You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way,
and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past, 
With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me.

May each of us share this blessing with others with a sincere and open heart. Amen.

Song: “Search Me, O God”, Michelle Higgs, Album: “Healing Rooms”, 2005 (no link available)

Scripture: Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones: read Ezekiel 37:1-14 in your bible, along with me or click here

Sermon: “Can These Bones Live?”, click here to read sermon as a PDF

Responsive Prayer: “A Prayer in the Days of the Coronavirus”, Adapted from A Prayer for Persons Suffering from Ebola, chausa.org, from “A Liturgy in the Wake of the Coronavirus” prepared by Rev. Todd Atkins-Whitney, Interim Director of Worship, Spring 2020, Pacific School of Religion

A Prayer in the Days of the Coronavirus

Merciful God/Goddess, hear our fervent prayer for all who suffer the effects of the coronavirus—its infection of sickness, fear, and anxiety.
God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

May those who are infected receive the proper treatment and the comfort of your healing presence. God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

May their caregivers, families and neighbors be shielded from the onslaught of the virus and give solace to those who grieve the loss of loved ones. God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Calm the anxiety and fear of those who fear its advent and protect those who are most vulnerable to its spread—the marginalized, the un- and under-insured, the immune-compromised, the elderly. God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Guide those who strive to develop tests, vaccines, and cure—that their work may limit and conquer the virus and restore communities to wholeness and health. God, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Holy One known by many names, help us rise above fear: Assure us of your presence when we are fearful. Calm anxieties with your Holy Spirit. We ask all this through the intercession of your child, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and in the name of all that is holy, just, and compassionate. Amen and Ashé

Closing Hymn: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”, Album: Gloria: The Sacred Music of John Rutter, Cambridge Singers & John Rutter, 2005, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCpxgEHqjFA

Benediction: And may the blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer— encourage and strengthen you in every good word and deed. Amen.

Blessings until we meet again, via phone, in-person, Zoom, or out doing God’s work.  Rev. Kevin Omi