Thanksgiving 2003

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