Green Season 2008 – Chosen to Live: Choosing to Serve

GATHERING            

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION

Our ordinary lives are given an extraordinary significance when we accept that our lives are about something larger…. I do not need to be the whole play or even understand the full script. It is enough to know that I have been chosen to be one actor on the stage. I need only play my part as well as I can.

–Richard Rohr, Jesus’ Plan for a New World

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The God of all Creation has chosen us to live,
            and so we come.

Voice 1: The Holy Spirit bids us to celebrate the joy of life,
            and so we come.

Voice 2: Christ shows us how to touch the realm of God,
            and so we come.

Leader: O Mysterious Source of all Creation,
            we claim our place as part of your joyful realm,
             and so we come

All:       to live and celebrate the good news of the risen Christ.
Amen.

INVOCATION

HYMN

 

SILENCE

 

RESPONSIVE READING

Lectionary Psalm for the week

SILENCE

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

Leader:    I have not practiced patience

People:    but instead have allowed impatience to rule.

Leader:    I have not practiced compassion

People:    but instead have allowed a distance to grow between myself and others.

Leader:    I have looked on the world’s hurts and traumas with a dulled indifference.

People:    I have stood on the fringes so I would not have to get involved.

Leader     I have thought myself better than others

People:    instead of putting myself in their shoes.

Leader:    I have not loved all people, including my enemies.

All:       Holy One, forgive us we pray.
            Extend your mercy and steadfast love to us,
            your fallen and broken people.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE

Leader: Holy One, you say when we confess
             you are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. 
             We believe this promise from you.

             We can live with the assurance
             of your grace and mercy
             which you lavish on us.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

 

UNISON PRAYER 

All:        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. 

            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

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION

Leader: May we who have been chosen
             go forth into the world to embody the roles we play.
             Let us choose to be who we already are: the Body of Christ.  Amen.

All:       Amen!