Christmastide

Seekers Church:
A Christian Community
In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

Christmastide 1997

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

PRELUDE

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

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.
Unison:: God, we believe — forgive our unbelief.

(Individual prayers of confession)

Leader:: How can we sing your song, O God,
in a strange land?
People:: How can we be reconcilers in a world
where children suffer and starve,
where many labor in vain,
while a few live in luxury?
What answers shall we give to the suffering
when they cry from the depths:
“Where now is your God?”
Unison:: God, we believe — forgive our unbelief.

(Prayers of intercession)

Leader:: God, mysterious and hidden,
in your captivity
you reveal yourself as the open door.
People:: In the midst of our pain your suffering love heals us,
in the depths of our despair you shine upon us
as the morning star of hope.
Newborn Christ, come transform us into gifts.
Unison:: God, we believe — forgive our unbelief.

(Prayers of thanksgiving)

HYMN

THE WORD

First Lesson

Silence

Gospel Lesson

Sermon

Silent Reflection

The first Sunday of each month we switch to a Communion Liturgy here.

OFFERING

Offertory Music

Prayer of Dedication

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.; Amen.