Call to Worship
All God's people - boys and girls,
men and women,
come and worship!
Shepherds, Magi, saints, and angels:
come and worship!
Come and worship!
All who need the Savior,
all who long for comfort:
come and worship!
Come and worship Christ,
the newborn King!
Prayer of the Day
In your love, which never ends,
Steadfast Grace,
you hear the cries
of all the two-year-olds
cast aside by the world,
and the weeping of their mothers
who cannot feed them
because there is no hope.
Wrapped in an old blanket
to keep you warm in a cold stable,
and smuggled into Egypt to keep you safe,
Marginalized Messiah,
you know the searching of refugees
for a place they can call home,
for a life they can call free.
Cradling the innocents killled in war,
remembering those driven from their homes
by fear, or greed, or power;
singing laments with all the parents
who cannot give their children the lives
that they should have,
you proclaim God's name for us,
Spirit of Sanctuary.
God in Community, Holy in One,
you fill our hearts with joy,
for you continue to come into this world.
Give us the peace, the joy, the hope to carry
to all who cry out to you this day,
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
Born of Mary, in a child called Jesus, God knew life as we know it: our pains, our doubts, our temptations, our hopes. Without sin, Jesus could choose to judge us; instead, he redeems us and is the midwife of our birth into new life. Let us confess our sins, so we might be filled with God's grace and joy in this season of holiness and hope.
Unison Prayer of Confession.
Dweller in Eternity, you became a little baby for us. We chase down the corridors of power, while you enter the hallways where weakness and suffering reside. We grab for more and more, while you let go of glory to become one of us. We reduce our Savior's birth to tinsel. toys, and trash to be placed on the curb, while you widen your embrace to welcome all thrown out by the world.
Forgive us, Joyous Love, Come among us, filling our hearts with your grace and truth. Open our lips, so we might sing with the angels. Send us forth with the shepherds, to tell everyone we meet of the good news of the birth of the One who brings us life, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
The new we have hungered for fills our lives;
the news we have been searching for has found us;
the news that is for all people is proclaimed:
a Savior has been born - for us!
The One who is our hoped has arrived;
the One who is our life has come to us;
the One who is our joy is in our midst:
Jesus Christ the Lord!
Thanks be to God. Amen.
(c) Thom M. Shuman
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Christmas Day - Year A
Call to Worship
Wonder of wonders, God has come to us!
Not as a judge, but as a Savior;
not in power, but as a servant.
Wonder of wonders, God comes to us!
Not in silence, but in the Word made flesh;
not in the shadows, but bringing light.
Wonder of wonders,
God is with us!
Prayer of the Day
Angels sang their anthems
at the midnight hour
to awaken a sleeping creation;
shepherds came to worship you,
and went away rejoicing;
wise ones gave their hearts to you,
so they could dwell in yours.
O Immanuel,
we adore you!
You came to us as a baby
to hold us in your grace;
you came to us in a stable,
so we would have no trouble finding you;
you came to us in poverty
to enrich our lives.
O Beautiful Messenger of Peace,
we adore you!
You play hopscotch with us
in the streets of the kingdom;
you build your home
deep within our souls;
you walk with us
in the winter of life.
O wisdom from on high,
we adore you!
God in Community, Holy in One,
all the faithful lift their songs of joy to you,
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
God became one of us so we could see the face of love, hear the voice of peace, be touched by the hand of grace, and know the heart of mercy. God comes to us, offering us forgiveness and peace. Join with me as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
You came in weakness, Mighty God,
forgive our grasping
for power.
You came in humility, Prince of Peace,
forgive us
when we applaud power.
You came in poverty, Everlasting One,
forgive us
when we do not see your family
sleeping in our streets.
You came in gentleness, Wonderful Counselor,
forgive us
for the anger we speak
and the pain we cause.
Child of Bethlehem:
forgive us,
heal us,
make us new;
then we will join the angels in singing your praises this Christmas Day and all the days to come.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Break forth into song, children of God,
for the Babe comes to comfort us;
like a mother rocking her son to sleep,
like a father wiping away the tears of his daughter.
Sung: Joy to the world, the Lord is come,
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
(c) Thom M. Shuman
Wonder of wonders, God has come to us!
Not as a judge, but as a Savior;
not in power, but as a servant.
Wonder of wonders, God comes to us!
Not in silence, but in the Word made flesh;
not in the shadows, but bringing light.
Wonder of wonders,
God is with us!
Prayer of the Day
Angels sang their anthems
at the midnight hour
to awaken a sleeping creation;
shepherds came to worship you,
and went away rejoicing;
wise ones gave their hearts to you,
so they could dwell in yours.
O Immanuel,
we adore you!
You came to us as a baby
to hold us in your grace;
you came to us in a stable,
so we would have no trouble finding you;
you came to us in poverty
to enrich our lives.
O Beautiful Messenger of Peace,
we adore you!
You play hopscotch with us
in the streets of the kingdom;
you build your home
deep within our souls;
you walk with us
in the winter of life.
O wisdom from on high,
we adore you!
God in Community, Holy in One,
all the faithful lift their songs of joy to you,
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
God became one of us so we could see the face of love, hear the voice of peace, be touched by the hand of grace, and know the heart of mercy. God comes to us, offering us forgiveness and peace. Join with me as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
You came in weakness, Mighty God,
forgive our grasping
for power.
You came in humility, Prince of Peace,
forgive us
when we applaud power.
You came in poverty, Everlasting One,
forgive us
when we do not see your family
sleeping in our streets.
You came in gentleness, Wonderful Counselor,
forgive us
for the anger we speak
and the pain we cause.
Child of Bethlehem:
forgive us,
heal us,
make us new;
then we will join the angels in singing your praises this Christmas Day and all the days to come.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Break forth into song, children of God,
for the Babe comes to comfort us;
like a mother rocking her son to sleep,
like a father wiping away the tears of his daughter.
Sung: Joy to the world, the Lord is come,
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
(c) Thom M. Shuman
Christmas Eve - Year A
Greeting
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the shadows of death,
a light has dawned.
Jesus Christ is our life and light.
In Christ's name, welcome!
In Christ's grace, let us worship God!
Call to Worship
Let us go, just as we are, to see what happened.
Let us go with the shepherds,
let us go and find the One of whom the angels sang.
Let us go with those who are wise,
let us go and find the One who brings God's truth to us.
Let us go with the poor in spirit, and in flesh;
let us go with those who are humbled by life,
let us find the Glory of God
born in a stable, and placed in a feeding trough.
Let us go with our friends and family,
let us go with our neighbors and with strangers,
let us go with all the children of God,
let us go to find the One who comes
to lead us home to God's kingdom.
O come, let us go to the Babe of Bethlehem;
O come, let us adore him!
Christ our Lord!
Call to Reconciliation
We begin with such great hopes, such great dreams. We are going to be better, to treat others more fairly, and to love more deeply. But we come to the manger once again, knowing our failings, and aware of our brokenness. Let us confess to the One who comes, that our lives might be made new.
Unison Prayer of Confession
God, who comes to us,
forgive us . . .
when our shadowed lives dim your Light;
when the tinsel for Christmas means more than your truth;
when our hearts of stone resist the pain and brokenness around us;
when we care more about what is under the tree than the damage we do to your creation and to your children.
Have mercy on us, Healing God,
so we might
tear down the walls we have built to keep your love away;
so we could seek your justice for our sisters and brothers;
so our hearts would become cradles for your Son,
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon (based on Isaiah 62:10-12)
Go, go through the city, preparing the people;
repair, repair all the roads, filling in the holes,
raising a banner for all to see.
God has spoken to all people,
saying to sons and daughters:
'See, your Savior comes;
to make good on my promises,
to bring redemption to all people.'
And we will be called God's Beloved,
the Redeemed of the Lord;
God will seek us out to live in the New Jerusalem,
where no one is left behind. Amen.
(c) Thom M. Shuman
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the shadows of death,
a light has dawned.
Jesus Christ is our life and light.
In Christ's name, welcome!
In Christ's grace, let us worship God!
Call to Worship
Let us go, just as we are, to see what happened.
Let us go with the shepherds,
let us go and find the One of whom the angels sang.
Let us go with those who are wise,
let us go and find the One who brings God's truth to us.
Let us go with the poor in spirit, and in flesh;
let us go with those who are humbled by life,
let us find the Glory of God
born in a stable, and placed in a feeding trough.
Let us go with our friends and family,
let us go with our neighbors and with strangers,
let us go with all the children of God,
let us go to find the One who comes
to lead us home to God's kingdom.
O come, let us go to the Babe of Bethlehem;
O come, let us adore him!
Christ our Lord!
Call to Reconciliation
We begin with such great hopes, such great dreams. We are going to be better, to treat others more fairly, and to love more deeply. But we come to the manger once again, knowing our failings, and aware of our brokenness. Let us confess to the One who comes, that our lives might be made new.
Unison Prayer of Confession
God, who comes to us,
forgive us . . .
when our shadowed lives dim your Light;
when the tinsel for Christmas means more than your truth;
when our hearts of stone resist the pain and brokenness around us;
when we care more about what is under the tree than the damage we do to your creation and to your children.
Have mercy on us, Healing God,
so we might
tear down the walls we have built to keep your love away;
so we could seek your justice for our sisters and brothers;
so our hearts would become cradles for your Son,
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon (based on Isaiah 62:10-12)
Go, go through the city, preparing the people;
repair, repair all the roads, filling in the holes,
raising a banner for all to see.
God has spoken to all people,
saying to sons and daughters:
'See, your Savior comes;
to make good on my promises,
to bring redemption to all people.'
And we will be called God's Beloved,
the Redeemed of the Lord;
God will seek us out to live in the New Jerusalem,
where no one is left behind. Amen.
(c) Thom M. Shuman
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Advent 4-A
Lighting of the Advent Candles
If we would walk the streets of the kingdom,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of faith,
so we might travel with trust in our hearts.
If we would walk the streets of our world,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the andle of hope,
so we can carry it wth us as we serve.
If we would see God at work among us,
we need a light so we can see God.
We light the candle of patience,
to see the One who travels with us.
If we would trust the promises God gives to us,
we need a light to illumine our dreams.
We light the candle of promise,
to see the One who comes to save us.
As we continue our Advent journey,
may God lead us into the future which awaits us.
A future filled with trust,
a future full of hope,
a future found on God's path.
Call to Worship
We gather, for it is time to prepare:
angels are about to burst forth into song,
singing of the peace and hope we need.
We gather, with expectation our guest:
for joy is inviting us to join in the dance
of the shepherds around the night fire.
We gather, eager to begin the celebration:
people, longing to reach Bethlehem;
people, eager to kneel at the manger;
people, ready to cradle the Babe;
people, hoping to be made whole.
Prayer of the Day
If you came to us,
we would not be afraid
to take grace
as our life's partner;
we would not fear
adopting peace and hope
into our family.
So come to us,
God-who-takes-away-our-fears.
If you came to us,
we would not be afraid
to serve the broken of the world,
for that is how
you bring healing and restoration;
we would not fear
to choose the good,
knowing we receive the grace
to be your beloved disciples.
So come to us,
God-who-is-our-sign.
If you came to us,
we would not be afraid
to reach to the heavens
to embrace your dreams;
we would not fear
to journey into the future,
for there we will find you
waiting to welcome us home.
So come to us,
God-who-dwells-with-us.
Come to us,
God in Community, Holy in One,
as we pray as you have taught us, saying,
Our Father . .
Call to Reconciliation
In our brokenness, we will find no healing until we turn to the Peace who comes to us. In our emptiness, we will find no hope until we turn to the Grace who comes to feed us with forgiveness. Let us speak those words which are so hard to say, so we may hear the whispers of God's mercy.
Unison Prayer of Confession
With the songs of the angels in our ears,
we cannot hear the way we speak
words of hurt and anger to others;
looking for the shepherds to arrive,
we do not see the homeless family
by the side of the road;.
waiting to sit down at a fine feast,
we ignore those whose bread is their fear,
whose cup is filled with their lost dreams.
Come to us, Promised Sign of restoration:
come to open our eyes;
come to us, Child of compassion:
come to melt our hearts with your tears;
come to us, Servant of the poor,
come to lead us to serve the lost.
O come, o come, Immanuel:
to forgive us, to heal us, so all that was promised
might be fulfilled for us.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Dear children of God: do not be afraid. The promise given long ago has been kept once and for all in the birth at Bethlehem. Rejoice, rejoice, for Christ has come for you.
Grace and peace are the gift God has given to us, not only on this day, not only in this season, but in all the moments to come. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May Immanuel be with you this day!
And also with you.
Beloved of God, lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the One whose face
shines with love upon us.
Household of God, let your voices
ring with joy and gladness.
We sing of the One who has come,
come to save us and give us life.
When chaos was empty and barren,
you created the stars of the night,
to light the way for grace;
you filled the hollows of the sea
with the waters of life.
Lord God of creation,
you shaped us in your image,
so we might feast on the bounty
of the garden you gave us,
so we could drink deeply
from the fountains of goodness.
But we belittled your gifts,
thinking that those jewels
called sin and death
were priceless beyond compare.
We filled our minds
with the empty dreams of temptation,
and wearied you with our rebellion.
Sending the prophets
with hope in their hands
and reconciliation on their lips,
we turned our backs,
laughing among ourselves
at their faithful obedience.
Finally, you sent Jesus,
the One who, by refusing evil,
could help us to choose the good.
Therefore, with the faithful of every time and place,
we lift our songs to thanksgiving to you:
Sanctus
Holy are you, Shepherd of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Servant, our Savior.
When you could not wait
for the world to conceive of peace,
you sent him to show us how
to end our violent ways;
when you could not wait
for us to find hope,
you sent him to speak
your promises to us;
when you could not wait
for us to stumble upon love,
you sent him to walk the earth,
so we would know how
to treat our friends and enemies;
when you could not wait
for us to return to you,
he went to the cross
to bring us home.
As we prepare to celebrate his birth once again,
as we sing of our longing for him to return,
we proclaim that faith which is often a mystery:
Memorial Acclamation
Send your Spirit to come quickly
upon the gifts of the bread and the cup,
and upon your beloved gathered here.
Fill our empty and barren lives
with the rich harvest of joy,
so we may take your sheaves of blessings
to the world;
heal our weary and wounded souls,
so we may go to minister
to the broken-hearted around us;
enlarge our vision,
so we might see that kingdom
of peace, reconciliation and hope
you prepare for all your people,
so we might go forth
to embrace our sisters and brothers.
And when all time has come to an end,
we will no longer need to dream,
but will sit with you at your Table,
surrounded by family and friends,
by strangers and enemies,
feasting on the bread of life
and drinking deeply of grace's vineyard,
joining our voices as one to praise you:
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Blessing
As you go to walk the streets of the kingdom,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of faith,
to share it with everyone we meet.
As you go to walk the streets of the world,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of hope,
to carry it to those we are blessed to serve.
As you seek to walk God's holy way,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of patience,
believe we will find God with us.
As you open your hearts to God's dreams,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of promise,
knowing that God has come to save us.
As you go forth to reach Bethlehem,
travel with faith and hope into God's future:
with joy and gratitude,
we go forth into God's vision of peace.
(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman
If we would walk the streets of the kingdom,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of faith,
so we might travel with trust in our hearts.
If we would walk the streets of our world,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the andle of hope,
so we can carry it wth us as we serve.
If we would see God at work among us,
we need a light so we can see God.
We light the candle of patience,
to see the One who travels with us.
If we would trust the promises God gives to us,
we need a light to illumine our dreams.
We light the candle of promise,
to see the One who comes to save us.
As we continue our Advent journey,
may God lead us into the future which awaits us.
A future filled with trust,
a future full of hope,
a future found on God's path.
Call to Worship
We gather, for it is time to prepare:
angels are about to burst forth into song,
singing of the peace and hope we need.
We gather, with expectation our guest:
for joy is inviting us to join in the dance
of the shepherds around the night fire.
We gather, eager to begin the celebration:
people, longing to reach Bethlehem;
people, eager to kneel at the manger;
people, ready to cradle the Babe;
people, hoping to be made whole.
Prayer of the Day
If you came to us,
we would not be afraid
to take grace
as our life's partner;
we would not fear
adopting peace and hope
into our family.
So come to us,
God-who-takes-away-our-fears.
If you came to us,
we would not be afraid
to serve the broken of the world,
for that is how
you bring healing and restoration;
we would not fear
to choose the good,
knowing we receive the grace
to be your beloved disciples.
So come to us,
God-who-is-our-sign.
If you came to us,
we would not be afraid
to reach to the heavens
to embrace your dreams;
we would not fear
to journey into the future,
for there we will find you
waiting to welcome us home.
So come to us,
God-who-dwells-with-us.
Come to us,
God in Community, Holy in One,
as we pray as you have taught us, saying,
Our Father . .
Call to Reconciliation
In our brokenness, we will find no healing until we turn to the Peace who comes to us. In our emptiness, we will find no hope until we turn to the Grace who comes to feed us with forgiveness. Let us speak those words which are so hard to say, so we may hear the whispers of God's mercy.
Unison Prayer of Confession
With the songs of the angels in our ears,
we cannot hear the way we speak
words of hurt and anger to others;
looking for the shepherds to arrive,
we do not see the homeless family
by the side of the road;.
waiting to sit down at a fine feast,
we ignore those whose bread is their fear,
whose cup is filled with their lost dreams.
Come to us, Promised Sign of restoration:
come to open our eyes;
come to us, Child of compassion:
come to melt our hearts with your tears;
come to us, Servant of the poor,
come to lead us to serve the lost.
O come, o come, Immanuel:
to forgive us, to heal us, so all that was promised
might be fulfilled for us.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Dear children of God: do not be afraid. The promise given long ago has been kept once and for all in the birth at Bethlehem. Rejoice, rejoice, for Christ has come for you.
Grace and peace are the gift God has given to us, not only on this day, not only in this season, but in all the moments to come. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May Immanuel be with you this day!
And also with you.
Beloved of God, lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the One whose face
shines with love upon us.
Household of God, let your voices
ring with joy and gladness.
We sing of the One who has come,
come to save us and give us life.
When chaos was empty and barren,
you created the stars of the night,
to light the way for grace;
you filled the hollows of the sea
with the waters of life.
Lord God of creation,
you shaped us in your image,
so we might feast on the bounty
of the garden you gave us,
so we could drink deeply
from the fountains of goodness.
But we belittled your gifts,
thinking that those jewels
called sin and death
were priceless beyond compare.
We filled our minds
with the empty dreams of temptation,
and wearied you with our rebellion.
Sending the prophets
with hope in their hands
and reconciliation on their lips,
we turned our backs,
laughing among ourselves
at their faithful obedience.
Finally, you sent Jesus,
the One who, by refusing evil,
could help us to choose the good.
Therefore, with the faithful of every time and place,
we lift our songs to thanksgiving to you:
Sanctus
Holy are you, Shepherd of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Servant, our Savior.
When you could not wait
for the world to conceive of peace,
you sent him to show us how
to end our violent ways;
when you could not wait
for us to find hope,
you sent him to speak
your promises to us;
when you could not wait
for us to stumble upon love,
you sent him to walk the earth,
so we would know how
to treat our friends and enemies;
when you could not wait
for us to return to you,
he went to the cross
to bring us home.
As we prepare to celebrate his birth once again,
as we sing of our longing for him to return,
we proclaim that faith which is often a mystery:
Memorial Acclamation
Send your Spirit to come quickly
upon the gifts of the bread and the cup,
and upon your beloved gathered here.
Fill our empty and barren lives
with the rich harvest of joy,
so we may take your sheaves of blessings
to the world;
heal our weary and wounded souls,
so we may go to minister
to the broken-hearted around us;
enlarge our vision,
so we might see that kingdom
of peace, reconciliation and hope
you prepare for all your people,
so we might go forth
to embrace our sisters and brothers.
And when all time has come to an end,
we will no longer need to dream,
but will sit with you at your Table,
surrounded by family and friends,
by strangers and enemies,
feasting on the bread of life
and drinking deeply of grace's vineyard,
joining our voices as one to praise you:
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Blessing
As you go to walk the streets of the kingdom,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of faith,
to share it with everyone we meet.
As you go to walk the streets of the world,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of hope,
to carry it to those we are blessed to serve.
As you seek to walk God's holy way,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of patience,
believe we will find God with us.
As you open your hearts to God's dreams,
take a Light to guide you:
we take the light of promise,
knowing that God has come to save us.
As you go forth to reach Bethlehem,
travel with faith and hope into God's future:
with joy and gratitude,
we go forth into God's vision of peace.
(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Advent 3-A
Advent Candle Lighting
If we would walk the streets of the kingdom,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of faith,
so we might travel with trust in our hearts.
If we would walk the streets of our world,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of hope,
so we could carry it with us as we serve.
If we would see God at work among us,
we need a light so we can see God.
We light the candle of patience
to see the One who travels with us.
As we continue our Advent journey,
may God lead us into the future which awaits us.
A future filled with trust,
a future full of hope,
a future found on God's path.
Call to Worship
Be patient! God is coming to us!
The One who teaches joyous songs
to all of creation, comes to open
our ears to life.
Be strong! God is coming to be with us!
The One who paves a path to Bethlehem
will walk with us every step of the way.
Do not fear! Here is your God!
We worship the One
who comes to save us.
Prayer of the Day
Now, there is a road
where the blind will see
the signposts leading home.
Now, the burning sand of sin
will become an ice rink
for your children.
Now, the voiceless
become the soloists
in the chorus of hallelujahs.
Now that you have built
a holy way to our hearts,
Advent's Creator,
we no longer need
to wander off your paths.
Now, the crippled
will dance with the stars.
Now, your precious crop
of justice and reconciliation
planted in oppression's desert
will burst forth in glory.
Now, the pockets of the fatcats
will be turned inside out
so loose change can loosen
the chains of despair and grief.
Now that you have come,
Advent's Grace,
we no longer need
to put hope on hold.
Now, those who refuse
to listen to their enemy
will hear your sweet whispers
of peace for all.
Now, those we have offended
will be blessed by
your healing touch.
Now, those who mutter
about the unfairness of it all,
will offer all they have
to the poor.
Now that you are incarnate
in our hearts,
Advent's Joy,
we no longer need
to be afraid.
God in Community, Holy in One,
now, we will call ourselves blessed,
as we pray as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
It would be easy to grumble that the world has kidnapped this holy season, emptying us of hope and joy. But we must admit how often we fail to tell the true story of Christmas, by how we live our lives. Let us confess our reluctance to be storytellers, and livers out of the story, as we pray to God, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Ever Present Peace, you came to save us, but it is hard to remember that in this hectic season. Our impatience for Christmas to arrive gets in the way of listening to our children singing in their rooms. We let the blinking lights blind us to your quiet presence in a noisy world. We get so caught up in the stories of violence, we cannot hear your voice reminding us not to be afraid.
As you poured out your mercy on all who have gone before us, Gardener of deserts, shower us with grace and forgiveness. Then, our eyes will be opened to all your wonders, our ears will echo with the anthems of the angels, and our
emptiness will be filled with the life gifted to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
L: Dear ones of God, this is the good news:
God comes to us to bring the healing of hope,
the joy of justice into our hearts.
P: We need wait no longer. We will go and
tell everyone what we have seen and heard!
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The God who is coming to us be with you!
And also with you!
Lift your hearts to the One who turns barren deserts into seas of grace.
We lift them to the God who fills our longings for peace and hope.
Beloved of God, let us lift our praise and thanksgiving to our Lord.
We come to God's Table with glad songs of joy on our lips.
n that first moment of all time,
ou crafted creation out of chaos,
ever-surprising God.
Beauty blossomed abundantly
in every corner of your gift,
everlasting joy and goodness
were the playmates you gave to us
as we strolled through your Garden.
But we became too nearsighted
to see the grace awaiting us
in your infinite heart.
Hamstrung by arrogance,
we walked the burning sands of sin,
limping down that dusty road
to death's prison.
You sent Isaiah and Miriam,
Hannah and Amos,
to call us home,
but our ears were stuffed
with the world's empty promises.
Then, you asked Jesus
to walk the holy way,
leaving glory to be born
in a stable.
Therefore, with those who have been raised,
and those who long for your coming,
we join the choirs of angels
who forever sing of your glory:
Sanctus
Holy are you, Hope-full Heart,
and all creation calls your Child,
our Savior, Jesus Christ, blessed.
Lstening to you weeping
in the night for your lost children,
he set aside eternity's riches to come:
to fill the shallows of our souls
with your grace;
to snatch us away
from those wild beasts
called sin and despair;
to pay the ransom
for those kidnapped by death.
And so, as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
as we journey once again the holy ways,
seeking to hear and proclaim
his life, death and resurrection,
we whisper of that mystery we call faith:
Memorial Acclamation
May the gift of your Spirit,
Advent's Hope and Peace,
be poured out on the simple gifts
of the bread and the cup,
and on those who come
simply to find healing and hope.
And when we have been fed
by your surprising grace
and filled with your peace,
may we go forth to the world,
where our weak hands
will become calloused
by compassion;
where we will bend
our feeble knees, reaching down
to lift up the fallen;
where we will become fountains
of living water for those
parched by the wilderness
of their lives.
Then, when sorrow and sighing
have been chased away from us,
and we gather with all generations
around your Table in heaven,
everlasting joy will be our song,
and gracious hope will be our refrain,
as we sing to you through all eternity,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Blessing
As you go to walk the streets of the kingdom,
take a lght to guide you:
we take the light of faith
to share it with everyone we meet.
As you go to walk the streets of our wold,
take a light to guide you,
we take the light of hope,
to carry it to those we are blessed to serve.
As you seek to walk God's holy way,
take a light to guide you,
we take the light of patience,
believing we will find God with us.
As you continue on your Advent journey,
travel with faith, hope, and patience into God's future:
with joy and gratitude,
we go forth into God's vision of peace.
(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman
If we would walk the streets of the kingdom,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of faith,
so we might travel with trust in our hearts.
If we would walk the streets of our world,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of hope,
so we could carry it with us as we serve.
If we would see God at work among us,
we need a light so we can see God.
We light the candle of patience
to see the One who travels with us.
As we continue our Advent journey,
may God lead us into the future which awaits us.
A future filled with trust,
a future full of hope,
a future found on God's path.
Call to Worship
Be patient! God is coming to us!
The One who teaches joyous songs
to all of creation, comes to open
our ears to life.
Be strong! God is coming to be with us!
The One who paves a path to Bethlehem
will walk with us every step of the way.
Do not fear! Here is your God!
We worship the One
who comes to save us.
Prayer of the Day
Now, there is a road
where the blind will see
the signposts leading home.
Now, the burning sand of sin
will become an ice rink
for your children.
Now, the voiceless
become the soloists
in the chorus of hallelujahs.
Now that you have built
a holy way to our hearts,
Advent's Creator,
we no longer need
to wander off your paths.
Now, the crippled
will dance with the stars.
Now, your precious crop
of justice and reconciliation
planted in oppression's desert
will burst forth in glory.
Now, the pockets of the fatcats
will be turned inside out
so loose change can loosen
the chains of despair and grief.
Now that you have come,
Advent's Grace,
we no longer need
to put hope on hold.
Now, those who refuse
to listen to their enemy
will hear your sweet whispers
of peace for all.
Now, those we have offended
will be blessed by
your healing touch.
Now, those who mutter
about the unfairness of it all,
will offer all they have
to the poor.
Now that you are incarnate
in our hearts,
Advent's Joy,
we no longer need
to be afraid.
God in Community, Holy in One,
now, we will call ourselves blessed,
as we pray as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
It would be easy to grumble that the world has kidnapped this holy season, emptying us of hope and joy. But we must admit how often we fail to tell the true story of Christmas, by how we live our lives. Let us confess our reluctance to be storytellers, and livers out of the story, as we pray to God, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
Ever Present Peace, you came to save us, but it is hard to remember that in this hectic season. Our impatience for Christmas to arrive gets in the way of listening to our children singing in their rooms. We let the blinking lights blind us to your quiet presence in a noisy world. We get so caught up in the stories of violence, we cannot hear your voice reminding us not to be afraid.
As you poured out your mercy on all who have gone before us, Gardener of deserts, shower us with grace and forgiveness. Then, our eyes will be opened to all your wonders, our ears will echo with the anthems of the angels, and our
emptiness will be filled with the life gifted to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
L: Dear ones of God, this is the good news:
God comes to us to bring the healing of hope,
the joy of justice into our hearts.
P: We need wait no longer. We will go and
tell everyone what we have seen and heard!
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The God who is coming to us be with you!
And also with you!
Lift your hearts to the One who turns barren deserts into seas of grace.
We lift them to the God who fills our longings for peace and hope.
Beloved of God, let us lift our praise and thanksgiving to our Lord.
We come to God's Table with glad songs of joy on our lips.
n that first moment of all time,
ou crafted creation out of chaos,
ever-surprising God.
Beauty blossomed abundantly
in every corner of your gift,
everlasting joy and goodness
were the playmates you gave to us
as we strolled through your Garden.
But we became too nearsighted
to see the grace awaiting us
in your infinite heart.
Hamstrung by arrogance,
we walked the burning sands of sin,
limping down that dusty road
to death's prison.
You sent Isaiah and Miriam,
Hannah and Amos,
to call us home,
but our ears were stuffed
with the world's empty promises.
Then, you asked Jesus
to walk the holy way,
leaving glory to be born
in a stable.
Therefore, with those who have been raised,
and those who long for your coming,
we join the choirs of angels
who forever sing of your glory:
Sanctus
Holy are you, Hope-full Heart,
and all creation calls your Child,
our Savior, Jesus Christ, blessed.
Lstening to you weeping
in the night for your lost children,
he set aside eternity's riches to come:
to fill the shallows of our souls
with your grace;
to snatch us away
from those wild beasts
called sin and despair;
to pay the ransom
for those kidnapped by death.
And so, as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
as we journey once again the holy ways,
seeking to hear and proclaim
his life, death and resurrection,
we whisper of that mystery we call faith:
Memorial Acclamation
May the gift of your Spirit,
Advent's Hope and Peace,
be poured out on the simple gifts
of the bread and the cup,
and on those who come
simply to find healing and hope.
And when we have been fed
by your surprising grace
and filled with your peace,
may we go forth to the world,
where our weak hands
will become calloused
by compassion;
where we will bend
our feeble knees, reaching down
to lift up the fallen;
where we will become fountains
of living water for those
parched by the wilderness
of their lives.
Then, when sorrow and sighing
have been chased away from us,
and we gather with all generations
around your Table in heaven,
everlasting joy will be our song,
and gracious hope will be our refrain,
as we sing to you through all eternity,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Blessing
As you go to walk the streets of the kingdom,
take a lght to guide you:
we take the light of faith
to share it with everyone we meet.
As you go to walk the streets of our wold,
take a light to guide you,
we take the light of hope,
to carry it to those we are blessed to serve.
As you seek to walk God's holy way,
take a light to guide you,
we take the light of patience,
believing we will find God with us.
As you continue on your Advent journey,
travel with faith, hope, and patience into God's future:
with joy and gratitude,
we go forth into God's vision of peace.
(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Second Sunday of Advent - A
Lighting of Advent Candles
If we would walk the streets of the kingdom,
we need light to guide us.
We light the candle of faith,
so we might travel with trust in our hearts.
If we would walk the streets of our world,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of hope,
so we could carry it with us as we serve.
As we continue our Advent journey,
may God lead us into the future which awaits us.
A future filled with trust,
a future full of hope.
Call to Worship
We gather in this comfortable place,
to prepare for a new day:
a day when the wolf and the lamb
will get an apartment together.
So prepare your hearts for the day
when peace will rule the earth:
when the leopard and the kid
will share a mat at naptime.
Prepare the way, the way
where old notions are overturned:
when the cow and bear will have coffee,
their children playing in the backyard.
Get ready! Prepare the way!
Prayer of the Day
God of wonders,
you continually stun us
with your gifts of Advent:
your welcoming heart
with room for every single person;
your ancient words of hope
which remain as fresh
as the breeze through the trees;
your passion for justice,
so all might be set free.
Root of Jesse,
Branch of righteousness:
you do not judge
by what your eyes see
or your ears might hear.
You look at the poor,
and see your mother and sisters,
you open your heart to the lost,
and welcome your brothers and father.
Wisdom from on high:
as we stand in silence,
pour the transforming waters
of grace and peace over us.
Whisper your Word to us,
lest we rely on ours too much.
Place the shawl of compassion
around our shoulders
that we might be your servants.
God in Community, Holy in One,
listen to our words and to our hearts,
as we pray as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
We, who have stood in the refreshing waters of baptism, often forget our need to be cleansed.
We, who have heard the voice of love, often speak with anger and meanness to others. God
calls us to be wise enough to change our ways, so let us answer with our confessions, as we
pray together saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
We long for you to come to us, Creator of Goodness. But too often, we do not seem to share your vision of how the world should be, or we are to live. You dream of resentful enemies sitting down together, but we feast on bitterness. You would have us sing with one voice, but we prefer to be soloists. You would have us serve others, but we sit quietly, expecting you to come and fill our every need.
Forgive us, Approaching God, and help us to turn to welcome you with open arms. May we prepare for your coming by opening our hearts to that healing hope and surprising mercy which is ours in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
This is God's word of acceptance and affirmation: we are forgiven, we are loved, we are called to be servants to all creation.
Forgiveness falls like a gentle shower upon us, sinking deep into our hearts and souls, so we might be nourished and nurtured as God's children. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of Advent wonder be with you.
And also with you.
People of God, lift up your hopeful hearts.
We lift them to the One who fills us
with all joy and peace.
Blessed be the One who comes to speak for the poor,
to set free those imprisoned by despair.
May the glory of the One who welcomes all to this Table
fill our sisters and brothers throughout creation.
God of Wonder:
your Spirit did not rest,
but transformed chaos into creation,
the mountains crying 'Glory!' with one voice,
the hills echoing the glad refrain.
You welcomed us into
your garden of peace and hope,
but we flocked to sin and death,
those entertainers who seduce us
with their temptations and tricks.
The prophets were sent
to help us understand our brokenness,
but we turned our backs
when they sang of your hopes for us.
And so, your prepared Jesus
to come to us, so we might know
the very nearness of your kingdom.
Therefore, we would join our voices
with those of every time and place,
who sing of your glory:
Blessed be the God of Advent,
who alone showers us with grace!
O come, people of God,
let us walk in the Hope
which paves the paths to the kingdom!
Holy are you, God of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Child,
who became our servant to save us.
He came,
so that those who could only speak
in anger to one another,
might sing songs of peace
at your Table.
He came,
to shower the living waters of grace
upon our hope-parched souls.
He came,
to sweep death from
the bottoms of our hearts,
so we might dance
in your life forever.
Even now, as we prepare to celebrate
his birth, and ache for his return,
we sing of that mystery we call faith:
In rejection's stable, Hope was born;
on death's cruel tree, Hope cried out;
in our hearts, we long for Hope to return.
Come to us in these moments,
God of Advent,
pouring your Spirit
upon the bread and the cup
that we might be drenched
by your grace and peace.
Then, when we are filled
with your justice and righteousness,
send us forth into the wilderness
of despair and loneliness,
to bring joy and hope;
to be servants to the poor;
to be voices for those silenced by oppression;
to become a bumper crop of reconciliation
in a world strewn with the stumps
from the violence of war and fear.
Then, when all time has ended,
all pain and hurt is gone,
you will welcome everyone to your Table,
where we can sing 'Glory!' with one voice
to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman
If we would walk the streets of the kingdom,
we need light to guide us.
We light the candle of faith,
so we might travel with trust in our hearts.
If we would walk the streets of our world,
we need a light to guide us.
We light the candle of hope,
so we could carry it with us as we serve.
As we continue our Advent journey,
may God lead us into the future which awaits us.
A future filled with trust,
a future full of hope.
Call to Worship
We gather in this comfortable place,
to prepare for a new day:
a day when the wolf and the lamb
will get an apartment together.
So prepare your hearts for the day
when peace will rule the earth:
when the leopard and the kid
will share a mat at naptime.
Prepare the way, the way
where old notions are overturned:
when the cow and bear will have coffee,
their children playing in the backyard.
Get ready! Prepare the way!
Prayer of the Day
God of wonders,
you continually stun us
with your gifts of Advent:
your welcoming heart
with room for every single person;
your ancient words of hope
which remain as fresh
as the breeze through the trees;
your passion for justice,
so all might be set free.
Root of Jesse,
Branch of righteousness:
you do not judge
by what your eyes see
or your ears might hear.
You look at the poor,
and see your mother and sisters,
you open your heart to the lost,
and welcome your brothers and father.
Wisdom from on high:
as we stand in silence,
pour the transforming waters
of grace and peace over us.
Whisper your Word to us,
lest we rely on ours too much.
Place the shawl of compassion
around our shoulders
that we might be your servants.
God in Community, Holy in One,
listen to our words and to our hearts,
as we pray as Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .
Call to Reconciliation
We, who have stood in the refreshing waters of baptism, often forget our need to be cleansed.
We, who have heard the voice of love, often speak with anger and meanness to others. God
calls us to be wise enough to change our ways, so let us answer with our confessions, as we
pray together saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
We long for you to come to us, Creator of Goodness. But too often, we do not seem to share your vision of how the world should be, or we are to live. You dream of resentful enemies sitting down together, but we feast on bitterness. You would have us sing with one voice, but we prefer to be soloists. You would have us serve others, but we sit quietly, expecting you to come and fill our every need.
Forgive us, Approaching God, and help us to turn to welcome you with open arms. May we prepare for your coming by opening our hearts to that healing hope and surprising mercy which is ours in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
This is God's word of acceptance and affirmation: we are forgiven, we are loved, we are called to be servants to all creation.
Forgiveness falls like a gentle shower upon us, sinking deep into our hearts and souls, so we might be nourished and nurtured as God's children. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of Advent wonder be with you.
And also with you.
People of God, lift up your hopeful hearts.
We lift them to the One who fills us
with all joy and peace.
Blessed be the One who comes to speak for the poor,
to set free those imprisoned by despair.
May the glory of the One who welcomes all to this Table
fill our sisters and brothers throughout creation.
God of Wonder:
your Spirit did not rest,
but transformed chaos into creation,
the mountains crying 'Glory!' with one voice,
the hills echoing the glad refrain.
You welcomed us into
your garden of peace and hope,
but we flocked to sin and death,
those entertainers who seduce us
with their temptations and tricks.
The prophets were sent
to help us understand our brokenness,
but we turned our backs
when they sang of your hopes for us.
And so, your prepared Jesus
to come to us, so we might know
the very nearness of your kingdom.
Therefore, we would join our voices
with those of every time and place,
who sing of your glory:
Blessed be the God of Advent,
who alone showers us with grace!
O come, people of God,
let us walk in the Hope
which paves the paths to the kingdom!
Holy are you, God of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Child,
who became our servant to save us.
He came,
so that those who could only speak
in anger to one another,
might sing songs of peace
at your Table.
He came,
to shower the living waters of grace
upon our hope-parched souls.
He came,
to sweep death from
the bottoms of our hearts,
so we might dance
in your life forever.
Even now, as we prepare to celebrate
his birth, and ache for his return,
we sing of that mystery we call faith:
In rejection's stable, Hope was born;
on death's cruel tree, Hope cried out;
in our hearts, we long for Hope to return.
Come to us in these moments,
God of Advent,
pouring your Spirit
upon the bread and the cup
that we might be drenched
by your grace and peace.
Then, when we are filled
with your justice and righteousness,
send us forth into the wilderness
of despair and loneliness,
to bring joy and hope;
to be servants to the poor;
to be voices for those silenced by oppression;
to become a bumper crop of reconciliation
in a world strewn with the stumps
from the violence of war and fear.
Then, when all time has ended,
all pain and hurt is gone,
you will welcome everyone to your Table,
where we can sing 'Glory!' with one voice
to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman
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