Summer 1995: Breath of Summer — Minding the Moment

 

SEEKERS CHURCH

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of Church of the Saviour

Summer 1995

 

Breath of Summer — Minding the Moment

 

 

REFLECTION

 

Peace is every step.

The shining red sun is my heart.

Each flower smiles with me.

How green, how fresh all that grows.

How cool the wind blows.

Peace is every step.

It turns the endless path to joy.

                                                      Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step, pg ix.

 

PRELUDE

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Leader: God calls us this day to a life of joy.

 

People: With God,

  joy cracks through the bonds of despair.

 

Leader: With God,

  joy bursts forth in moments of quiet pleasure.

 

People: With God,

  joy gilds the edges of even ordinary days.

 

Unison: This is the day which our God has made;

  let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 

 

 

 

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

SILENCE

 

LITANY OF CALL

 

 Leader:            God calls us in the midst of our lives:

"Pause a while and hear that I am God."

 

People: God calls us from our lofty ambitions,

  from our preoccupations

  with marvels and matters beyond our scope:

"Let be and learn that I am God."

 

Leader: God calls us into shelter —

  a place of calm and quiet for our souls:

"Be still and know that I am God."

 

Unison: We are like a child quieted at its mother's breast.

  God is with us now and evermore.  Amen.

 

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFESSION  (Unison)

 

  O God, you have searched me and known me!

  You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

    you discern my thoughts from afar.

  You search out my path and my lying down,

    and are acquainted with all my ways.

  Even before a word is on my tongue,

    lo, O God, you know it altogether.

  You beset me behind and before,

    and lay your hand upon me.

  Where shall I go from your Spirit?

  Or where shall I flee from your presence?

                                                                                              Psalm 139: 1-5, 7

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE  (Leader)

 

  If we take the wings of the morning

    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

  even there your hand shall lead us,

    and your right hand shall hold us.

                                                                                               Psalm 139:9, 10

 

CONTINUING PRAYERS

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION

 

OFFERING

OFFERTORY MUSIC

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION 

 

Leader:

 

Go forth in joy.

Laugh, and share delights.

Be at ease in your struggles,

  bold in your loving,

  joyful in giving,

  and graceful in your praying:

Become a song of God's delight.

Amen.

 

 

WORSHIP SOURCES

Call to Worship:  Flames of the Spirit, pg 66, #38.

Litany:  Flames of the Spirit, pg 59, #8.