Christmastide
SEEKERS CHURCH
A Christian Community
In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour
Christmastide 2004
CIRCLE TIME
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
Christina Rossetti
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The Word was made flesh; full of grace and truth,
Christ lived among us.
From Christ's fullness, we have received
gift upon gift of God's love. Alleluia!
People: Amen! Alleluia!
Leader: God speaks!
with excitement!
with enthusiasm!
with new life!
Unison: God is present!
God is with us!
Nothing can separate us from the love of God!
INVOCATION
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
RESPONSIVE READING
Leader: How can we be reconcilers in a world
where children suffer and starve,
where many labor in vain,
while a few live in luxury?
People: What answers shall we give to the suffering
when they cry from the depths:
"Where now is your God?"
All: How can we sing your song, O God,
in a strange land?
SILENCE
PRAYER
CONFESSION
Leader: Who are we, God, that we should confess you?
We can hardly speak for ourselves:
We believe in your word,
but our minds are often full of doubt.
People: Captivate our minds, God,
and let your Spirit dwell in our hearts,
that we may know the gift of love
that you have given to us in the birth of Jesus.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Leader: In the midst of our pain Christ's suffering love heals us,
in the depths of our despair the holy Spirit shines on us
as the morning star of hope.
The newborn Christ transforms us into gifts.
PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY
JESUS PRAYER
All: Eternal Spirit: Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all, creation resonates
with celebration of your nameless name.
Let justice and mercy flood the earth;
let all creation harmonize in your imagination;
and let us recognize
that every thought and thing belongs to you.
With the bread we need for today, feed us;
in the hurts we absorb from each other
and those we inflict on others, forgive us;
in times of test and temptation, stand with us;
from the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you alone are creating our universe,
now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN
THE WORD
First Lesson
Gospel Lesson
Sermon
Silent Reflection
OFFERING
The first Sunday of each month we switch to a Communion Liturgy here.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: God has given us the gift of Jesus, the Christ.
Receive this gift of love in your heart,
and carry it with you into the world.
All: Amen.
