3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - A

Texts: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1st Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

Call to Worship
As he walked by a lake, Jesus called folks to follow him.
And immediately, immediately!,
they left their work and went with him.
As Jesus journeys through our lives, he asks us to follow him.
In this moment, in this moment!,
we have the chance to leave the past behind,
and pursue him into God's future.
As Jesus wanders in our world, he invites others to join him.
We would join him in this ministry,
reaching out to our neighbors,
without delay, without delay!

Prayer of the DayWhen we get scared
in the middle of life,
you hide us
under the blanket of your grace;
when we struggle
with those who don't like us,
you lift us up
to see the Prince of Peace
coming to make us one;
when we are lost,
you stop playing hide-and-seek
and call us home.
One thing we ask,
God of our hearts:
be gracious to us!

When our sin-parched throats
crack trying to whisper your name,
you teach us glad songs;
when we are afraid
of what is hidden
in the shadows of life,
you take our hand
so we can walk
in your Light;
when we are alone,
we discover your face
in every person we meet.
One thing we ask,
Playmate of Peace:
keep calling us to follow!

When we no longer
see eye-to-eye,
you cleanse our sight
with living waters;
when we are stooped
by the beams of our burdens,
you twist and shape them
into a kids' playground;
when we find ourselves
living in sorrow's city,
you pack us up and move us
into hope's neighborhood.
One thing we ask,
Foolish Grace:
walk with us!

One thing we ask,
God in Community, Holy in One:
listen to us as we pray, saying,
Our Father . . .

Call to ReconciliationWhen we are embarrassed by how we have treated others, God invites us to seek the face of grace. When we regret foolish words that cannot be taken back, God reminds us of the hope which comes to us in every moment. Let us confess our lives to the One who not only hears us, but answers us with forgiveness.

Unison Prayer of Confession
We are reluctant to admit all the ways we have failed to be your people. Created to be one Body, Holy Hope, we are often torn apart by petty squabbles. Called to follow, we push and shove for first place in line. Invited to seek your face, we have trouble looking our sisters and brothers in the eye.
You have promised to be our Light, Healing Heart, so lead us from the shadows of our sin and silliness. You have promised to be our salvation, so set us free to explore the depths of your heart. You have promised to lead us into your kingdom, so show us how to join hands with one another, as we follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Silence is kept

Assurance of PardonRight now, right now!, Christ proclaims the good news to us; Christ teaches us how to live with one another; Christ tears down the barriers between us.
In God's math, joy is multiplied that we cannot compute the number - we can only welcome this gift into our hearts, to share it with everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
Into the gloom of chaos,
a Light burst forth,
God of all time.
This light shone on life
in all its variety;
it lit the way for the sea
as it danced along
the beaches of glory;
it twinkled in the night,
reflected in the eyes
of your beloved children,
created in your image.
When we could
have been playing leapfrog
in the meadows of Eden,
we chose to stalk through
the shadows of sin and death.
The prophets came, inviting us
to leave our hidden lives,
so we could dwell in your heart,
but we chose cast our gaze
at the temptations of the world.
Finally, your sorrow multiplied
beyond all measure,
you sent Jesus to proclaim the good news.

So, with those who lived in the former times,
and with those who will dwell in the latter moments,
we lift our glad songs of grace to you:

Holy, holy, holy, God who does not forsake us.
All creation shouts with joy to you.
Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is teh One who comes bringing the kingdom near.
Hosanna in the highest!

Holy are you, God of all joy,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, our Lord.
When he could have withdrawn
into your eternal glory,
he came to us,
that we might be brought
into your hopeful heart.
When he could have ignored
our foolish fighting,
he came to tear down
the barriers we have built,
that we might be one with you.
When he have claimed all power,
he emptied himself
of your love and life,
that we might be filled
with your peace forever.

As we celebrate his life and death,
as we sing of our joy multiplied
by the joy of your love,
we speak of that mystery we call faith:

Christ died, crying out to his light and salvation;
Christ rose, breaking all the bonds of death;
Christ will come, making glorious the way to God.

Pour out your Spirit
upon the bread and the cup,
simple gifts with the sole purpose
of restoring us to wholeness,
and making us one with you
and with all our sisters and brothers.
As we gather around your Table,
may we break the boundaries
of fear, of hurt, of loss
which separate us,
so we may serve each other.
As we turn from the Table,
may we see those
who are lost and alone
in our neighborhoods and homes,
so we might carry grace
to share with them.
As we hear your whispers
of hope and peace
in our hearts,
may we call to everyone we meet,
'Come and join us;
we will lead you
to the hope you are longing for!'

And when all time, former and latter,
have come to an end,
and we have left gloom and desolation behind
to live in your Light forever,
we will join our hands
to dance in your glory,
singing glad songs for all eternity,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.

(c) 2011 Thom M. Shuman