Lent 2002: First the Silence

 

 

SEEKERS CHURCH

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

Lent 2002

First the Silence

 

 

Best of any song

is bird song

in the quiet, but first

you must have the quiet.

 

 

 

SILENCE

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:       Out of the pounding surf of life

we come into this quiet pool.

 

Voice 1:      Needs throbbing just beyond the reef,

we look for some still place

to let the mud of living settle into God.

 

Voice 2:      We wait, to let the ringing echoes of activity die out,

to let the silence grow

until we're ready for the still, small voice of call.

 

All:              We come because

the God of all creation calls us into being.

 

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

 

CHANT

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

CONFESSION

Leader: Have mercy, tender God.

 

All:              Forget that I defied you.

Wash away my sin,

cleanse me from my guilt.

 

When I offer a sacrifice,

the gift does not please you.

So I offer my shattered spirit,

a changed heart to your love.

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE

Leader:      Know that God will reshape our hearts,

and restore our spirits.

In God's love, we are forgiven.

 

All:              Amen.

 

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION

 

OFFERING

 

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

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION  

Leader:      Out of silence, praise lifts its song.

Out of darkness, light bursts forth.

Out of waiting, the answer comes.

Go in faith that God brings us

what we most deeply desire.

 

People: Amen.

 

 

Worship Resources

Reflection: Wendell Berry, A Timbered Choir, "1997:1," pg 207

Confession and Assurance:  Based on Psalm 51