2016 Recommitment – Lament and Promise

GATHERING

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION

We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Common English Bible (CEB)

CANDLE LIGHTING

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:                       The Holy One calls us to remember the Good News,

                                    to give thanks for the promises of healing and new life.

People:                        We come to worship God,

                                    carrying our troubles, our confusion, our pain,

                                    trusting that the one who calls us

                                    will mend all that is broken.

Leader:                       Jesus invites us to set down our burdens,

                                    to take up the cross and follow him.

People:                       We come to worship the Holy One,

                                    yearning for comfort, for certainty, for love,

                                    trusting the promise that God is with us.

Leader:                       The Holy Spirit flows

                                    around us and among us and through us,

                                    giving strength and courage for the days ahead.

All:                               Let us worship the God who calls us.            

OPENING PRAYER

HYMN

 WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 SILENCE

PRAYERS

CONFESSION

Leader:                        Holy Creator,

                                    we are troubled by the evils of this world.

People:                        We often lose our way in the fog,

                                    unable to see the path ahead.

                                    we wonder if the journey is worth the effort.

People:                        We judge others who do not believe as we do,

                                    forgetting that it is not our place to judge.

Leader:                        We are confused and discouraged,

                                    uncertain of your call.

All:                               In this season of recommitment,

                                    help us to renew our promises to you.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE

Leader:                        God knows our sins and our fears,

                                    and forgives them all.

                                    The promise of God’s grace rekindles our faith.

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

                                    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.

All:            Nourished and hungry, loved and loving,

                 believing, rejoicing, being,

                 as God lights and rests among us.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

Leader 1: God of love and faithfulness,

                 we give you thanks for each morning,

                 for the work that you set before us,

                 for your promise to be with us when we lament.

People:    God of justice and peace,

                 we give you thanks for Jesus,

                 who taught us how to love our neighbors

                 as we walk the path to reconciliation.

Leader 2: God of grace and mercy,

                 we give you thanks for your Spirit,

                 surprising us with whispers of hope

                 sounding through our cries.

All:            God of all that is and ever will be,

                 we give you thanks for your church,

                 the living Body of Christ,

                 feeding a world that hungers for your presence.

 

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.

All:            Amen.

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION

Leader:                        Let us go out into the world

                                    filled with new strength and courage,

                                    trusting in the promise

                                    that the Holy One is with us,

                                    and that we are instruments of God’s love.

All:                               In the name of the one who calls us,

                                    let us greet one another with signs of peace. Amen.