GATHERING
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam. It is possible, in deep space, to sail on solar wind. Light, be it particle or wave, has force: you rig a giant sail and go. The secret of seeing is to sail on solar wind. Hone and spread your spirit till you yourself are a sail, whetted, translucent, broadside to the merest puff.
Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek,
First Perennial Classics, HarperPerennial, 1998, page 33
.
CANDLE LIGHTING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The light of God fills all of Creation,
inviting us to shine like the dawn.
People: We are called to be open,
to stretch ourselves out
with every movement of the Spirit.
Leader: The light of God fills us with compassion,
inviting us to pray.
People: We are called to follow Jesus,
to open ourselves to the force
of God’s love and justice and peace.
Leader: The light of God fills every moment,
inviting us to reach out
beyond what we think we know or can do.
All: We are called to become the living Word,
filled with divine power and light
for the healing of the world.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
COMMON CONFESSION
Leader: We are called to hone and spread our spirits,
becoming sails filled with your light.
People: It feels safer to be dull and narrow,
scrunching up until we become doormats or dishrags.
Leader: We are called to be open,
to stretch ourselves out
with every movement of the Spirit.
People: It is easier to be withdrawn and tight,
resisting, withholding, contracting.
Leader: Our true values are safety and security.
All: Forgive us, Holy One, for closing ourselves to the light.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Leader: The Holy One knows us as we are,
in our pain and fear and weakness.
We are forgiven and transformed,
Open again to God’s light,
sailing once more on the solar wind.
All: Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
INTERCESSION AND PETITION
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 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 Eternal Beacon of Hope, we are thankful
for your loving presence in our world,
a swirling solar wind,
driving all Creation toward deeper understanding.
People: We celebrate your fiery, creative presence among us,
The light of Christ shining through us;
Leader 2: We are thankful for your presence as the Holy Spirit
igniting our emerging sense of call and ministry,
and lighting the path to loving compassion.
People: Our life together shines more brightly
as we join our hearts and souls within your Church,
the place where we experience more deeply
the reality of your presence among us.
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.
All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of bread and cup
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.
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.
All: Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: Now we go forth, forgiven, renewed, and filled with light.
Let us open wide our spirits,
that together we are transformed into one broad sail,
propelled by the force of God’s love.
Reaching beyond what we now know,
to answer the call to be God’s light in this broken world.
In the company of God the creator, Jesus the Christ,
and the Holy Spirit shining within us,
let us greet one another with signs of peace.
All: Amen.
