Jubilee 2013 The Image of the Invisible God

GATHERING

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION
Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in this Being all things, in heaven and on earth, were created, things visible and invisible, whether rulers or dominations or principalities or powers –all things have been created through Christ and for Christ.

Colossians 1:15-16

CANDLE LIGHTING

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: All who long for some safe place
             to celebrate the abundance of creation, come!

People: The hidden power of God’s love draws us close.
             We come.

Leader: We marvel at the infinite complexity of life,
             each person and every animal and plant unique.

All:        We gather now to worship the invisible God,
             whose image is all around us.

OPENING PRAYER

HYMN

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

SILENCE

PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: Infinite, invisible, indescribable One,
             you have made us in your image,
             breathing life into us with your own breath.

People: We turn away from your uncreated light,
             creating other gods in our own image,
             and calling them by your name.

Leader: You send us messengers and prophets,
             calling us to return to your path of peace,
             to love our enemies and see your face in them.

People: We refuse to listen for your voice in the ideas of others,
             preferring to believe
             that you hate the same people that we do.

Leader: You come to us in human form,
             forgiving even those who kill and oppress,
             inviting everyone into your realm of ineffable joy.

All:         Forgive us, Holy One,
              when we close our eyes and our hearts to others
              who, like us, are made in your image.

ASSURANCE
Leader: As Christ is the image of the invisible God,
             so we are the Body of Christ,
             forgiven and forgiving for the healing of the world.

All:        Amen.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

PRAYER OF 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

COMMUNION
PREPARATION
Leader 1: This is the table of the Heavenly Feast,
                 the joyful celebration of the people of God.

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 invisible Source of all that is,
                we give you thanks that you have made us in your image,
                and hold your creation in loving care.

People:   We give you thanks for your child, Jesus,
                in whom we see you, your visible image on earth.

Leader 2: We give you thanks for your Holy Spirit,
                our ever-present comforter in distress
                and challenger in our comfort.

All:           We give you thanks for the communion of saints,
                the church visible and invisible,
                your loving presence for all to see.

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.

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. Amen.

OFFERING

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION
Leader: The Holy One has shown us what love looks like.
             Through our acts of forgiveness and reconciliation,
             let us become love for all our neighbors.

People: Amen.