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Ending Our Sand Ritual—Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
Darlene: Five days ago the leaders of MCC and the Fellowship processed down this
center aisle as we began the worship in General Conference 24.
Lillie: Each leader carried a carafe of sand, and the six carafes filled with earth
were intended to represent the six liveable continents from which we all came
to this place for the purpose of worship and growth.
Darlene: Throughout the week, more sand has been poured in. Some of it in times of
joyous celebration. Some of it in moments when we considered our deepest pains and
our greatest fears.
Lillie: But tonight, we acknowledge and bless all those things. We bless every
moment, every grain of sand, that has formed the essence of MCC General
Conference 24.
Darlene: And so we now mix these sands together, weaving all these experiences
together, removing the layers of sand and allowing the layer of joy to touch the layer of
pain.
Lillie: Allowing the layer of love to touch the continents from all around the
world.
Darlene: Allowing the prayers and the worship that have washed over these sands for
five days to now wash over one another, as Monday touches Thursday.
Lillie: As the young adult service touches the contemplative service.
Darlene: As opening worship touches closing worship.
Lillie: Each of these grains of sand tells a story. The story of all that we have
seen and heard here.
Darlene: Of all that we have learned here.
Lillie: Of how we have been changed here.
Darlene: And so we now release this sand into this world.
Lillie: We release this conference into the world.
Darlene: God, we pray you release us back into the world.
Lillie: As you go from this place tonight, these sands have been taken and
placed into small vials, so that you can take a small part of this week with you.
Darlene: Take these sands and allow them to bring you back here. Each time you see
them, remember this place.
Lillie: Remember the story.
Darlene: Remember the singing.
Lillie: Remember the dancing.
Darlene: And may those memories fuel our work until we gather together once again.
Lillie and Darlene: May it be so, amen.
Communion Songs
On Eagles Wings
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in God’s shadow for life
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge, My Rock in Whom I trust"
(Refrain) And I will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of my hand
The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear
Under my wings your refuge, my faithfulness your shield
You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.
Eagles Wings
Here I am waiting abide in me I pray. Here I am longing for You.
Hide me in Your love, bring me to my knees. May I know Jesus more and more.
Chorus: Come live in me all my life take over,
come breathe in me and I will rise on eagles’ wings. (repeat)
I Stand In Awe (This song should be last to get the congregation on their feet)
You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom, who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description, majesty enthroned above
(Chorus) And I stand, I stand in awe of you; I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of you
Nancy: Closing Prayer: Oh God our help in ages past, guide us now as we
depart from this place and return to our homes, as we return to the places you
have called us to serve and minister. May the things we have experienced
together this week transform our home churches, our cities, our countries, and
our world. Through the name of the one who is, who was, and who is to come,
we pray, AMEN!
Imagine/Halleluiah Finale