GATHERING
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
Our starting point is that we’re already there. We cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness. Little do we realize that God is maintaining us in existence with every breath we take. As we take another it means that God is choosing us now and now and now. We have nothing to attain or even learn. We do, however, need to unlearn some things.”
Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer, p 27-28
LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: We come to this place to remember
that God is everywhere,
whether or not we are paying attention.
People: The Spirit is always in us and around us,
loving us as we breathe in
and as we breathe out.
Leader: In every moment, the Holy One
makes and sustains the world around us,
holding every creature and thing
in a loving embrace.
People: In this moment, the Holy One
makes and sustains the entire universe,
holding every creature and thing
in a loving embrace.
Leader: We come to remember
that we are always in the presence of God,
who chooses us now…and now…and now.
All: We come to commit
to becoming what we already are,
the risen, loving, holy Body of Christ,
broken and poured out
for the healing of the world.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: Holy One, sometimes it is very hard
to be aware of your presence
within us and around us.
People: We become caught up
in our thoughts and feelings and surroundings
and our awareness
of our true identity as your beloved
slips away.
Leader: We forget our commitment to be your people
and allow other priorities to take control.
People: Forgive us, Holy One.
Leader: Strengthen and nourish
our awareness of your presence.
All: Help us to know how deeply you love us
and to share that love
with our broken world.
ASSURANCE
Leader: God’s loving presence is always with us,
ready to renew us and make us whole.
People: 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
Whether you are here in person or attending on Zoom, offerings may be made by sending a check to the church or through PayPal by clicking on the Donate button on the Seekers website or at PayPal.Me/SeekersChurch. Those in the sanctuary are welcome to place their offerings in the plate on the altar.
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.
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 Ever-Present Creator, we give thanks
for your presence in us, around us, and among us.
People: We give you thanks for Jesus the Christ,
whose awareness of living in your presence
challenges us to become aware and live as he did.
Leader 2: We give you thanks for your Holy Breath of Life,
who maintains us in your presence,
now…and now…and now.
All: We give you thanks for your Holy Church,
a fragile, earthen vessel
where we experience 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 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 grain and grape,
and work of human hands
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
As a sign of gathering in spirit while scattered, you may want to lift your bread and cup toward your camera.
Leader 1: The body of Christ, broken for all of us.
Feed on Christ in your hearts with thanksgiving.
Leader 2: The cup of the new covenant, poured out for the healing of the world.
Drink deeply of it.
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: As we leave this place,
let us know with each breath we take
that God is maintaining us in existence,
loving us as we are,
calling us to forgive and be forgiven,
and to love, however imperfectly,
now … and now … and now.
As committed parts of the Body of the Living Christ,
let us greet all we meet with grace and peace.
People: Amen.
