Summer 2005

Swimming to the Other Side

 

 

Seekers Church

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

Summer 2005

 

Swimming to the Other Side

 

CIRCLE TIME

 

ENTRANCE

 

REFLECTION

As swimmers dare

to lie face to the sky

and water bears them,

as hawks rest upon air

and air sustains them,

so would I learn to attain

freefall, and float

into Creator Spirit's deep embrace,

knowing no effort earns

that all-surrounding grace.

 

Denise Levertov, "The Avowal," in Oblique Prayers

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      Come breathless to the Holy One

                  that you may take in the breath of life.

 

People:       We share the Breath of Life.

                  Our spirits soar with the hawk.

 

Leader:       Bring your life to the Holy One

                  that you may be carried upon the living waters.

 

People:       We drink from the Living Water.

                  Our bodies float in the sea of life.

 

All:             Creator Spirit, in your presence

                  we feel your breath and drink your water

                  as we raise our voices in prayer

                  in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ.

 

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

RESPONSIVE READING

Leader:      Creator Spirit, You hold us always

                  in the deep embrace of your love.

 

People:      We are surrounded by grace.

 

Leader:      Your ways are greater than our small understanding.

 

All:             We live secure in your grace alone.

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS                 

CONFESSION

Leader:      Battered by waves, the wind against us

                  And far from shore…

 

Voice 1:     We cling to the familiar, the safety of our boat.

 

Voice 2:     We cry out in fear, for we forget to trust you.

 

All:             Hear our cry.

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE

Leader:      Jesus spoke to them:

                  "Take heart, it is I.  Do not be afraid."

                  Step into the water, for your faith will hold you up.

 

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY

 

 

JESUS PRAYER

All:             Eternal One, Father and Mother of us all,

Holy is your name.

 

Let justice and mercy fill all Creation

and let us recognize

that every thought and thing belongs to you.

 

Feed us with the bread we need for today.

Forgive our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Stand with us in trial and temptation.

Free us from the grip of all that is evil.

     

For you alone are creating our universe,

now and forever.

     

Amen.

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON

SILENCE

GOSPEL

SERMON 

SILENT REFLECTION

 

OFFERING

 

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

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION

Leader:      Float on the deep embrace of our Creator.

                  Head out from the safety of shore,

                  into the current of this turbulent life,

                  knowing that the mystery of God

                  holds more truth than you will ever fully understand.

                 

                  Go in peace, to love and serve God

                  by loving and serving others.

 

All:             Amen.