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 with compassion
toward the sorrows of the world.
All: Burning, breathing Spirit,
we bring our lives to you.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SONG AS THE CHILDREN LEAVE FOR CLASS
Jesus loves us as we grow,
meets us on the paths we go,
keeps us safe and keeps us free,
helps us learn who we should be.
Yes Jesus loves us,
Yes Jesus helps us,
Yes Jesus shows us,
the best way we can go.
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.
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.
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 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 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 he gave himself up, 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. The crackers are gluten-free.
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.
