Christmas 2004

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.