Responding from The Heart
SEEKERS CHURCH
A Christian Community
In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour
Thanksgiving 2003
Responding from The Heart
REFLECTION
“No matter how hard you strike a bell, it will ring. What else is it made for? Even under the hammer blows of fate the heart rings true. The human heart is made for universal praise. As long as we pick and choose, making praise depend on our approval, we are not yet responding from the heart.”
Brother David Steindl-Rast. “Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer,” pg 82.
PRELUDE
SILENCE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Awaken!
The new day reveals itself in every moment,
and by the grace of God all things are made possible.
Come, let us give thanks.
All: We give thanks to you, blessed, mysterious Life-giver,
for one more day to experience the miracle of creation.
Voice 1: With every breath
we remember that life is a gift,
and we give thanks.
Voice 2: With every step
we know the wonder of walking on the Earth,
and we give thanks.
Leader: With every word
we affirm God's transforming love for each of us,
and we give thanks.
All: Holy Beloved, through you all things are made new.
Creation is full of your glory. All praise be yours!
INVOCATION
HYMN
SILENCE
LITANY
Leader: Blessed is the earth from which we grow.
People: Blessed the life we are lent.
Leader: Blessed the ones who teach us,
People: Blessed the ones we teach.
Leader: Blessed is the word
that cannot say the glory that shines through us
and remains to shine
flowing past distant suns on the way to forever.
All: Blessed is light, blessed is darkness.
Let's say amen.
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: Shall we receive good at the hand of God
and not receive the bad?
People: When we find ourselves in misfortune,
we forget to give thanks in all things.
Leader: Shall we receive good at the hand of God
and not receive the bad?
People: When we do not like what God has given us,
we refuse the blessing and see only a curse.
Leader: Shall we receive good at the hand of God
and not receive the bad?
All: Forgive us, Holy One,
when we do not bless what is.
ASSURANCE
Leader: In loving compassion,
we are blessed and made whole.
We live by every word
that comes from the mouth of God.
All: Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY
HYMN
THE WORD
Scripture
Sermon
Silent Reflection
OFFERING
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: We stand in the midst of the burning world
primed to burn with compassionate love and justice.
See under the trash, through the smog.
See the world that is all of one flesh with us.
Go into the world in peace.
All: Amen.
Worship Resources:
Litany based on “Kaddish” by Marge Piercy
Confession and assurance based on Job 1-2.
Benediction based on “Nishmat” by Marge Piercy
