Texts: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32
Call to Worship
Becoming a baby,
Christ transformed all of us into his sisters and brothers.
Telling us stories we had forgotten,
God helps us to walk the paths of discipleship.
Becoming foolish in the world's eyes,
the Spirit teaches us all we need to find our way into the kingdom.
Prayer of the Day
When we think your job
is to listen to our petty quarrels,
you lean over,
put your finger to our lips,
whispering,
'let me tell you a story.'
Rock Splitter,
we worship you.
When we want to ask you
all sorts of questions,
and demand to see
your background check,
you put your arms around us,
gently saying,
'i want you to meet
some friends of mine.'
Self Emptier:
we follow you.
When we are burned out
by our chronic anger,
when our throats are parched
by our litany of laments,
you take us by the hand,
inviting,
'let's go get a cold drink
down at Rock's cafe.'
Sharing Spirit,
we adore you.
God in Community, Holy in One,
you are God, to whom we pray,
as Jesus teaches,(The Lord's Prayer)
Call to Reconciliation
All too often, we tell God we will do better, and be better, and then just go on living the same way we always have. Let this be the moment when we tell our God of our failures and faithlessness, so we can go forth to work in that kingdom of grace and hope. Join me as we pray,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
We would want to be fountains of hope for others, God of glory, but people find only hardened hearts. We would like to be transformed people, but our stubborn pride prevents us from bending a knee to you. We long to stand with those who are in need, but our selfishness keeps our backs rigid with judgment.
Forgive us, God who came down to us. Humble us, that we might be true servants to the broken and lost. Split open our
frozen hearts, that compassion might flow freely to those who are hurting. Fill our minds with the presence of your Spirit, that we might learn how to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, into
that kingdom of grace and hope.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
This is the good news: in Christ, God's plan for salvation was accomplished. You are forgiven, you are made new.
We will complete God's joy, by sharing compassion, forgiveness, hope, with everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering
May the simple gifts we offer this day become a fountain of blessings for others, bringing them hope, healing, joy, and peace. Amen.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God who comes in humility be with you!
And also with you!
Beloved, lift your hardened hearts to God.
We offer them to the One who will split them open
so grace can flow into the world.
Children of God, sing to the One who turned the world upside down.
We open our mouths, praising God who shows us the way.
Streams of water flowed forth
when you split open chaos,
God of Wonder.
Rivers divided to create valleys and hills,
the sun became the beacon for each day,
the moon and stars our night lights.
You breathed your children to life,
and longed to hold us in your lap,
telling us stories of your goodness.
But while we told you
we would always do your will,
we went running off to join
with sin and death
in their quarrels with you.
You sent the prophets
to remind us of all
we had known and heard,
but we mocked them,
not letting them sway us.
Then you sent Jesus
to be the One
to work out our salvation.
So, with those who sing your praise,
and those who complain bitterly,
with those who wandered in the wilderness,
and those who stand in places of worship,
we lift our voices in wonder to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you, Transforming God.
All creation flows toward your heart.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who stands with those who have nothing.
Hosanna in the highest!
Holy are you, God of Imagination,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, our Lord.
He put on humility's garb,
so we might be clothed
in the garments of grace;
he lowered himself
to walk the world with us,
so we might be lifted
from the depths of sin;
he suffered the death
of a common criminal,
so we might receive
the extraordinary gift of life
forever with you.
As we remember his willingness to give up glory,
as we celebrate his resurrection giving us hope,
we tell of that mystery we call faith:
Christ emptied himself on the cross,
that we might be filled with life;
Christ was called forth from the tomb,
that we might confess him the Risen One;
Christ will come again, calling us by name,
that God's joy be made complete.
Pour out your Spirit,
Nourishing God,
upon this Table of joy
and those who gather around it.
As you transform the simple gifts
of the bread and the cup
into grace beyond all imagining,
may we be changed
into fellow servants
with Jesus Christ our Brother,
people willing to offer ourselves
in service and humility
to those who have been
defeated by the world.
And when all time has ended,
and we are at home with you forever,
we will gather around the Lamb's Table,
joining our hands, hearts, and voices
in never-ending praise to you,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Sending
Go forth to share God's love with all.
We will become a river of love through the world.
Go forth to share Christ's grace.
We will be a fountain flowing in the barren places.
Go forth to share the community of the Spirit.
We will become a pool of peace where all may be refreshed.
(c) Thom M. Shuman
