Recommitment 1997: Mirrors of Memory: Windows of Hope

 

SEEKERS CHURCH:
A Christian Community
In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

Mirrors of Memory: Windows of Hope

Recommitment 1997

Silent Reflection

Jesus’ self-giving acts flowed from his knowing both his past and his future, that is, "that he had come from God and was going to God." This suggests that serving after the manner of Christ is guided and sustained by knowing where we come from — our remembered history — and where we are going — our anticipated hope.

"When We Gather We Are Called," Paul Esramilla, Weavings, Jul/Aug 1990, pg 35.

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:

We come together as the body of Christ,

Voice 1:

Remembering the paths we have traveled,
seeking signs of the way ahead.

Leader:

We look for God —

Voice 2:

In the mirror of the world around us,
through the window of silence within us,
in the songs and stories of those before us.

Unison:

Let us celebrate as a family of faith,
Gathered in the name of the risen Christ.

INVOCATION

HYMN

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

SILENCE

LITANY

Leader:

Listen, my people, mark each word.
I begin with a story,
I speak of mysteries welling up from ancient depths,
heard from our elders.

Voice 1:

We must not hide this story from our children
but tell the mighty works and all the wonders of God.

Voice 2:

Let future generations learn
and let them grow up
to teach their young to trust in God;
remembering great deeds,
cherishing the law.

Unison:

We, your people, the flock in your pasture,
will give unending thanks.
In every age to come we will sing your praise.

Psalm 78:1-7; 79:13

SILENCE

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

Leader:

Often we expect too much of others in community life.

Unison:

We are quick to judge, reject,
or put people into categories;
we often feel obliged to hide behind masks.
We prevent each other from discovering
and accepting ourselves where we are.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE (Leader)

The good news in Christ is that God accepts us where we are,
offers forgiveness and healing,
And walks with us on the journey.

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY

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

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION (Leader)

Let us go out as the body of Christ,
remembering the paths we have traveled,
seeking signs of the way ahead.