ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
I find it sad to consider that belief has become a scary word, because at its Greek root, “to believe” simply means “to give one’s heart to.” Thus, if we can determine what it is we give our heart to, then we will know what it is we believe.
-Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace, p 62
CANDLE LIGHTING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God calls us into a future that we cannot see.
People: We come wondering where God is calling us now.
Leader: God calls us to believe in a future of justice and peace,
of generosity and compassion.
People: We come wanting to give our hearts to that future.
Leader: God calls us to commit our lives to love and service.
All: Let us worship the God who calls us into the unknown.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
COMMON CONFESSION
Leader: We sense that God is calling us
to a new and undefined journey.
People: We hold back because the way is unknown.
Leader: We feel frightened and uncertain.
People: We try to avoid thinking about it,
much less committing to it.
Leader: We are paralyzed by our fear.
People: We are unable to give our whole heart
to an unknown future.
Leader: We are supported, held, and reassured.
ASSURANCE
Leader: We are supported, held, and reassured.
The Holy One believes in us
and calls us into the unknown.
All: Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
INTERCESSION AND PETITION
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
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 Creator,
out of chaos you made our beautiful, living earth
and all its treasures;
we give you thanks and praise.
People: We give you thanks for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, always searching for us
and leading us to you.
Leader 2: We praise you for your Holy Spirit,
your presence always with us,
opening our hearts to your call.
People: We give you thanks and praise for your holy Church,
the living body of Christ,
committed to follow your way
of justice, compassion, and peace.
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.
All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of bread and cup
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.
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.
All: Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: Let us go forth with renewed clarity and courage
to give our hearts to God’s call,
to commit our lives to love and service,
to walk boldly into a future we do not know.
In the name of God who loves us,
Jesus who believes in us,
and the Spirit who fills our hearts,
let us greet one another with signs of peace.
All: Amen.
