GATHERING
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
If you would learn more, ask the cattle,
Seek information from the birds of the air.
The creeping things of earth will give you lessons,
And the fishes of the sea will tell you all.
There is not a single creature that does not know
That everything is of God’s making.
God holds in power the soul of every living thing,
And the breath of every human body.
Job 12:7-10. Cited in “Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation” (January 21, 2015)
CANDLE LIGHTING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In the days of Noah,
God directed him to save all of God’s creatures
by giving them a place in the ark.
Voice 1: It was a hopeful sign of God’s loving covenant
with every living creature.
Leader: In those days people watched the birds and beasts,
and knew that they were part of something bigger,
the Realm of God.
Voice 2: Today we watch the energetic flocks of birds,
and see a lesson in community,
reminding us that God holds the life
of every living thing.
Leader: In these days,
God’s promise is a new covenant in our hearts,
a sign of hope to guide us
as we learn to love and care for all creation.
All: In the darkness that is Lent,
we celebrate the promise of God’s abiding love.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: Holy One,
we confess that we have not asked the cattle
or looked for knowledge from the birds of the air.
People: We are more concerned
with our own creature comforts
than with the comfort of your other creatures.
Leader: We confess that we have not
taken lessons from the creeping things,
nor listened to the fish of the sea.
People: We want to go on living as we always have,
doing whatever we want,
without noticing what that does
to other creatures who share the earth.
Leader: We confess that we forget what all creation knows,
that everything is of your making.
All: Forgive us, Holy One, when we forget
that every breath comes from you.
ASSURANCE
Leader: God remembers the covenant
that is with all people,
and with all creation.
The Holy One loves and forgives us
even when we forget.
All: Amen
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
INTERCESSION AND PETITION
COMMITMENT
All: O Holy One, we come today
to claim our relationship with you.
We pray for the commitment to grow together,
sharing the gifts you give us with others
here and in the wider world.
Forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted,
and help us forgive those who have hurt us.
Give us strength and discipline
to nurture our relationship with you;
to care for every part of your creation;
to foster justice and be in solidarity with those in need;
to work to end all war, and violence, and discord;
and to respond joyfully when you call,
freely giving our selves as you have shown the way.
We open our hearts to you and your creation
in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
HYMN
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION
OFFERING
COMMUNION
PREPARATION
Leader 1: This is the table of the Heavenly Feast,
the joyful celebration of the people of God.
Leader 2: We gather now as one body, joined around the table.
Here we celebrate God’s presence among us
united in Christ’s spirit, broken and whole all at once;
All: Nourished and hungry, loved and loving,
sinner and forgiven; we make one circle of knowing,
believing, rejoicing, being,
as God lights and rests among us.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader 1: Holy and eternal Maker of all that is,
we give thanks for the cattle of the fields,
the birds of the air, the fish of the sea
and all other living beings that you have made.
People: We are bound together by our faith in Jesus, the Christ,
who taught us of your affection for every creature
and your loving care for each of us, so we give thanks.
Leader 2: We are thankful for your presence as the Holy Spirit,
informing our minds and quickening our hearts.
People: We join together as your Church,
the living body of Christ,
seeking to be ever more faithful stewards of all creation, so we give thanks.
BLESSING THE ELEMENTS
Leader 1: Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life,
to drink the cup of the new covenant.
Leader 2: Jesus said, I am the bread of life.
You who come to me shall never hunger,
You who believe in me shall never thirst.
Leader 1: On the night of his arrest, Jesus took bread,
and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,
This is my body,
broken for the healing of the world.
Whenever you eat it, do so remembering me.
Leader 2: After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,
This is the cup of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for all.
Whenever you drink it, do so remembering me.
All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of bread and cup
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.
SHARE THE ELEMENTS
If you do not wish to receive the elements today you are welcome to join the circle and allow them to pass, or remain in your seat. We serve grape juice in our cups.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
All: God of abundance and mercy,
we give joyful thanks
for your eternal love and healing presence
in our celebration of bread and cup.
Bless this body of Christ
that we may attend faithfully
to our call to be your servants,
with each other and throughout the world.
Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: Let us go forth, secure in the knowledge
that God is the source of all creation,
that in all creation wisdom awaits us,
and with all creation we are one.
In the name of the One who creates all,
fills all and enlivens all,
let us greet one another with signs of peace.
All: Amen.
