Liturgy with communion for February 16, 2020 (Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany - A)

Texts:  Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37

Call To Worship
As we offer a welcome to stranger and friend,
as we are embraced in their kindness,
we choose to be people of life and blessing.
As we serve others in God's name,
as we receive blessings from those we do not know,
we choose to walk in God's way.
As we forgive those who have hurt us,
as we reach out to those we have harmed,
we choose to be reconciled to our sisters and brothers.

Prayer of the Day
You do not stand there
with a ruler in your fist,
ready to smack our hands
whenever we do wrong,
but are that gentle Parent
who wants only the best
for your children always.

You do not look at us
through the lenses of judgment,
Servant of all,
but see us as your
sisters and brothers
who have wandered away,
and so you reach out
and take our hands so
we might walk together.

You do not hold anything back,
Spirit of goodness,
but you fill our empty lives
with the waters of grace and peace,
so we might overflow with
love, wonder, joy, and hope,
true blessings to the world.

God in Community, Holy in One,
may we choose always and in all ways
to be your people, even as we pray,
(The Lord's Prayer)

Call to Reconciliation
With every choice we make, we show how faithful we are to God's hopes for us.  Yet, despite the mistakes we make, the missteps we take, God remains forgiving and gracious.  Let us come to our God, speaking honestly about our lives, as we pray, saying,

Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
     How often we make the wrong choices, God of our lives!  We look at others through the prism of lust, distorting who they really are.  We let our 'mad' feed us with bitterness and hurt.  We toss about harmful words like so many snowballs on a winter's day.  We would rather insult those around us, than to lift them up.
     Have mercy on us, God who is everywhere.  May we set aside our quarreling natures to be united in common worship, common service, and a common purpose, as we follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
Christ came, so we might be healed by God's tender touch.  Christ came, so we might be reconciled to one another.
Thanks be to God!  As risky, as hard as it may be, we will choose to be God's people.  Amen.

Prayer of Dedication/Offering
When we could choose to be selfish, may we share from our abundance;
when we could choose to be hoarders, let us give away all we have;
when we could choose to be broken, let us be reconciled with those around us.
Bless our lives, as well as these gifts, we pray.  Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May our reconciling God be with you.
And also with you.
Come to the One who loves you always.
We choose to offer our hearts to God.
Come to the Table with glad hearts.
We will offer God praise in these moments.

Heaven and earth are witnesses
to your creation, God of forever,
as you chose to bring forth
life, goodness, and beauty
out of the empty canyons of chaos.
Soft winds rippled grains in meadows,
thunder and lightning echoed your praise,
insects chattered away in hidden places.
All these were blessings - for us, those
who have been crafted in your image,
     but we turned away from you,
     led astray by sin to worship false gods.
You commanded the prophets to speak,
your words inviting us back to you,
     but we chose not to listen.
You sent Jesus to us then,
the One who walked that path called Blameless,
so we might know the way.

So with those who are mature in the faith,
ad those who are just starting the journey,
we lift our songs of thanksgiving:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God who is everywhere.
All creation offers praise to you.
Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is the One who reconciles us to you.
Hosanna in the highest!

Seeking to be obedient to you,
God of every good choice,
Jesus came,
     so we might walk
     in his footprints on
     that path to life.
He came,
     so we could pay
     attention to you,
          yet not neglect our
          sisters and brothers.
He come,
     choosing to confront sin
     and death on the cross,
so we might receive the
blessing of resurrected life.

As we seek to mirror his faithfulness,
as we would choose to follow him,
we proclaim that mystery called faith:

Though he did not wrong, Jesus died for us;
though we thought him dead, Jesus has risen;
though we have our doubts, Jesus will come again.

It used to be that we had no hope,
but now, at this Table of bread and cup,
your Spirit of grace and joy is poured out.
Filled with the bread which
symbolizes your brokenness,
     may we choose to be
     reconciled to one another,
     honoring all relationships.
As we are transformed by the cup,
     may we choose to work together,
     so all may be blessed
     by your love and peace.

And when you choose to end time,
gathering us together around your Table,
we will join with all those around us,
forever singing your praises,
God in Community, Holy in One.  Amen.

Sending
Go now, with God's love,
we will choose to be a blessing to others.
Go now, with Christ's hope,
we will choose to serve all in need.
Go now, with the Spirit's peace,
we will choose to share life in every moment.

© Thom M. Shuman