ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
The contents of my life are meant to be constantly given and shared in a generous gesture of compassion, just as the main purpose of a cup is to have its contents given away.
Joyce Rupp, The Cup of our Lives
CANDLE LIGHTING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
Come, all you
who feel the weight of the world upon you,
come gather in this holy place.
People:
We come, bearing one another’s burdens.
We come, bearing the burdens of a hurting world.
Leader:
Come, all you who have good news to share,
come witness to the good work that gives you hope.
People:
We come, hungry to share
the good news that is all around us.
Leader:
Here we gather in the presence of the Holy Spirit,
before the cross of hope.
All:
Come, Holy One, and fill us with your hope,
as we share our life together.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader:
God of memory, God of this moment, God of hope,
you call us to bear witness to the burdens
that others carry in their bodies and in their hearts.
People:
We want to be free of the anguish of loneliness,
but are unwilling to bear the weight of fear and pain
crushing the lives of too many of your children.
Leader:
You call us to lives of compassion,
to open our hearts to the agony that surrounds us.
People:
We want to be free of suffering and grief,
but are unwilling to bear the burden
of joyful participation in the sorrows of the world.
Leader:
You call us to be the living Body of Christ,
bearing your love and healing into every life.
All:
Forgive us, Holy One,
when we want others to share our burdens,
but are unwilling to pour out our lives
for the healing of all who are broken.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Leader:
The Holy One is always with us,
inviting us into community
where the burdens of all
may be known and shared and forgiven.
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
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 and Eternal One,
we give you thanks and praise
for your amazing creation,
bearing witness to your infinite love.
People:
Holy Wisdom,
we give you thanks for your child Jesus,
incarnate Word, who invites us
to lay down our burdens and take up the cross.
Leader 2:
Holy Breath of Life,
we give you thanks for your Spirit,
moving in and among and all around us,
closer than our breath.
All:
Holy and Mighty One,
we give you thanks for your Church,
bearing the burdens of the world,
bearing witness to your Word.
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.
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.
Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader:
Our cup has been filled at the spring of God’s grace.
Let us leave this holy place to pour ourselves out
for the healing of a broken world.
People:
Amen.
