Recommitment 2011 – How Shall we Live?

GATHERING

 

ENTRANCE

 

REFLECTION

I choose to believe in One who says it’s never too late to be on this path . . . because it’s really the only path. Not to constantly relive the past and cast blame on those who have hurt us and didn’t teach us well how to open our hearts, but to live now as beginners, each moment like children just starting out.

Kayla McClurg, Inward/Outward, 10/24/2009

 

CANDLE LIGHTING

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: God of mercy and justice,

             you call us to begin again and again.

 

People: You ask us to give you our pain,

              to open our hearts to the mystery of life.

 

Leader: God of compassion and truth,

             you invite us to live in freedom and joy.

 

People: You ask us to give you our sorrow,

              to walk with you on the path of love.

 

Leader: God of honesty and grace,

              you lead us towards an unknown future.

 

All:        Today, we begin again,

              living in this new moment,

              learning to find new life in you

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

COMMON CONFESSION

Leader:    We forget there is suffering ahead of us.

The Holy One holds our fear.
God’s joyful compassion bursts forth
like a spring of fresh water,
showering us with forgiveness.

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

 

OFFERING

 

COMMUNION

GREAT THANKSGIVING

Leader 1: Holy Creator God, we thank you for the gift of this earth, for its abundant life and amazing beauty.

Leader 2: We give you thanks for your Holy Spirit,
who guides us through the wilderness of our confusion,
who opens our hearts to compassion and joy.