I'm preparing for my last service at Blackwood UC. The gospel reading is Luke 15:1-32. Here's my worship planning so far. I haven't included everything.
I have a series of images on the theme "Come Home" that begins with a view from outside a house, then a close-up of a house, then an open front door, finishing with a view of a table inside a house. Three photos are on Creative Commons licences from flickr.com and one I bought from Shutterstock. The photos are sequenced throughout the service to indicate a journey. This first photo is by Beth.
Video and Music
I've combined Padraig O'Tuama's wonderful song "Yearn" with a portion of the video from All India Radio's video of "Tijuana Dream."
Call to Worship
Adapted slightly from a piece by Roddy Hamilton from Mucky Paws.
There is a place
shaped for the lost
a place that knows your name
and calls you home
Love’s homecoming place
There is a place
shaped for the estranged
a place that reaches out
and welcomes you home
Love’s homecoming place
There is a place
shaped for the lonely
a place that meets you
and knows your need
Love’s homecoming place
There is a place
shaped for the refugee
a place that is empty without you
and knows your worth
Love’s homecoming place
There is a place
shaped for the broken
a place that knows your brokenness
and promises healing
Love’s homecoming place
There is a place
shaped for you who have never left
a place that waits
and longs for each return
This is God’s place and God’s time
All are welcome here
Let us come home to Love.
[Above photo by Joe Zimny]