Advent 2011 – Tear Open the Heavens

GATHERING

 

ENTRANCE

 

REFLECTION

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, A Testament to Freedom

CANDLE LIGHTING

As the Advent candles are lit each week this season, there is a short reading adapted from Godly Play. The first week speaks of the prophets who foretold Christ’s coming; the second week, we hear of Mary, Joseph, and the donkey on the way to Bethlehem; the third week, we remember the shepherds who heard the angels sing; and the fourth week, we think of the magi, who followed a wild star to the place where the Christ Child lay. 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

 

 

 

All:             Holy God, tear open the heavens

                  and show us how to be your people in this time,

                  this place, this pregnant moment in history.

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

Leader: We are an impatient people,

              wanting the heavens torn open now.

 

People: We run away and hide from the work you call us to do.

 

Leader: We care for our own comfort more than justice for all.

 

All:        We are mired in greed and selfishness.

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE

 

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

 

 

 

 

All:       Amen