GATHERING

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION

 

We are the vessels of God’s voice, her words

blowing through us, bidding us to tell the tales

that only we can speak.

Jan L. Richardson, In Wisdom’s Path     

    

CANDLE LIGHTING

 CALL TO WORSHIP                        

Leader:                        A wind breathes among us,

                                    calling us to gather

                                    in the name of the Holy One.

People:                        A fire burns within us,

                                    calling us to service,

                                    calling us to prayer.

Leader:                        A spirit moves around us,

                                    calling us to turn in compassion

                                    toward the sorrows of the world.

All:                               Burning, breathing Spirit,

                                    we bring our lives to you.

INVOCATION

HYMN

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

SILENCE

PRAYERS

CONFESSION

Leader:      We turn away
from the wind of the Spirit
afraid to know our deepest desire.

Voice 1:     We hide from our longing,
fearing to hear the voice of God.

Voice 2:     We turn away
from the light of Christ
afraid to feel it burning within us.

Leader:      We run from our calling,
fearing to see a hurting world.

All:             We turn away
from the touch of God,
unwilling to trust this healing fire.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE

Leader:      In a rush of wind,
the Spirit burns away our fears,

freeing us to carry the light of Christ into the world.

All:             Amen.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

PRAYER OF 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

GREAT THANKSGIVING

Leader 1:                   Holy Source of fire and wind, we give you thanks

                                    that you open our hearts to the sound of your voice,

                                    and fill the world with abundant life.

 

People:                        We give you thanks for each breath we take,

                                     each opportunity to know the pain of the world

                   as an invitation to spread your compassion and grace.

 

Leader 2:                     We give you thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit,

                                    blowing in us and around us and through us,

                                    giving voice to the yearnings of all creation.

 

All:                               We give you thanks for Jesus, the Christ,

                                    who heals all wounds with the warmth of divine love,

                                    and lights the way to justice and to peace.

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 a broken 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

 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:      God of all creation,

let your bright, intoxicating Spirit

send us out to spread your word like fire.

All:             Amen.