Texts: 2 Kings 2:16-34; Psalm 2; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
Call to Worship
Political junkies think they know best,
conspiracy theorists have all the answers.
but God who holds all power as well as peace
simply rolls God’s eyes and laughs at us.
Jesus reminds us to pay attention, for soon
he brings joy, justice, and grace to us.
So let those who thirst for hope come,
as we give drinks of living water at no cost.
The Holy Spirit gathers us to worship God
as Creator, Redeemer, and Companion.
The God who always was, who always is,
and who will come to bring us home.
Prayer of the Day
We look for words sounding like thunder,
but you come in whispers in the morning
and whirlwinds of grace in our lives,
God of mystery and majesty,
drawing near to us to lift us
into the compassion of your embrace.
You gather us around your Table
with your arms wide open,
the bread broken to make us whole
the cup of grace to nourish us,
Bright Morning Star of life,
and when we fail you,
when we cannot live together,
when we choose comfort over love,
you continue to pray for us.
Spirit of comfort and peace,
who drifts over waters of life
and dances on chariots of fire,
drench us with your presence,
seeping into the barren soil of our souls,
so, we become brave enough
to follow wherever the whirlwind takes us.
Gather us in your love,
whisper your Word in our hearts,
stir our longing for living waters,
God in Community, Holy in One,
until we join in singing, ‘come, Lord, come,
even as we pray together, saying,
(The Lord’s Prayer)
Call to Reconciliation
When our hearts falter, when we take missteps, when we repeat the same sort of foolish behavior, God is always willing to listen, to hear our words, and to offer us grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Join me, as we offer our lives to God, praying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
When the whirlwind of your grace comes toward us, forgive us, Generous God, when we try to wrap ourselves in the storm jacket of fear. When we watch mentors of love, of justice, of hope depart, forgive us that we are not willing to pick up their passion for others or their hope of compassionate communities.
Have mercy on us, God of all people. May we listen with fresh ears to that prayer Jesus offers for unity, and offer a welcome not rejection, to greet others with kindness not suspicion, and to serve with humility not control others with arrogance. Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Grace
Whether we believe Christ is coming soon, still he is in our midst. Offering healing, whispering forgiveness, and love others with a generous heart.
May we recognize him in those around us, and may we be more like Christ in every moment. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering
We learned generosity from those who have gone before us. So, as they pass the mantle of giving with love, may our gifts wrap others in hope, life, and grace. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of the prophets be with you.
And also with you.
Friends, let us offer our hearts to God.
We lift them to the One who gives life.
May our songs of glad thanksgiving be raised.
We sing with one voice of God’s grace.
Author of all life,
with fire, mountains rose from seas,
with wind, seeds were carried to meadows,
with water, life was given nourishment.
You created us in your image
and with breath filled our lungs
to praise you in every moment.
When we thought we could reach
glory by our own efforts,
you chose to meet us in low places,
walking with us, shedding tears for us,
using prophets to tell truth
and poets to whisper your promises.
When we continued to break your heart
with our love affair with sin,
you became one of us, in Jesus,
not clothed in glory
but wearing the mantle of grace,
not shining with wonder
but reflecting the radiance
of your love for all people.
With all the saints
and with all the foolish,
we sing our songs to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you,
God of wonder and wisdom.
All creation glorifies you.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who makes us one.
Hosanna in the highest!
You alone are holy, God,
and in your compassion
you sent Jesus to us.
He did not condemn us,
but prayed for us.
He did not distance himself,
but stood with the ignored.
He was willing to be broken,
so that all might be made whole.
He poured himself out for us,
that we might be filled
with resurrection love.
As we give thanks for his life,
as we remember his death and resurrection,
we proclaim that mystery we call faith:
Christ died, taking on suffering for us.
Christ was raised; new life being passed on to him.
Christ will come, to wrap us in the mantle of grace.
Here, where the cloak of faith
is passed on to others,
pour out your Spirit, Tender God,
on the bread, the cup, this feast,
on your Beloved Community.
As the broken bread
makes us one with you,
may we offer solidarity with the forgotten,
may we welcome others,
may we stand with the oppressed.
And as the cup fills us with grace,
may we be one in witnessing hope,
may we be one in offering grace,
may we be one in seeking justice.
And until Christ returns,
drying every tear
and gathering us in grace,
may we continue to serve you,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Sending
Now let us go with God,
to share the mantle of grace with all.
Now let us go with Christ,
living out his prayer for unity.
Now let us go with the Spirit,
gathering all into the Beloved Community.
© 2025 Thom M. Shuman
Venmo: @Thom-Shuman
When our hearts falter, when we take missteps, when we repeat the same sort of foolish behavior, God is always willing to listen, to hear our words, and to offer us grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Join me, as we offer our lives to God, praying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
When the whirlwind of your grace comes toward us, forgive us, Generous God, when we try to wrap ourselves in the storm jacket of fear. When we watch mentors of love, of justice, of hope depart, forgive us that we are not willing to pick up their passion for others or their hope of compassionate communities.
Have mercy on us, God of all people. May we listen with fresh ears to that prayer Jesus offers for unity, and offer a welcome not rejection, to greet others with kindness not suspicion, and to serve with humility not control others with arrogance. Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Grace
Whether we believe Christ is coming soon, still he is in our midst. Offering healing, whispering forgiveness, and love others with a generous heart.
May we recognize him in those around us, and may we be more like Christ in every moment. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering
We learned generosity from those who have gone before us. So, as they pass the mantle of giving with love, may our gifts wrap others in hope, life, and grace. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of the prophets be with you.
And also with you.
Friends, let us offer our hearts to God.
We lift them to the One who gives life.
May our songs of glad thanksgiving be raised.
We sing with one voice of God’s grace.
Author of all life,
with fire, mountains rose from seas,
with wind, seeds were carried to meadows,
with water, life was given nourishment.
You created us in your image
and with breath filled our lungs
to praise you in every moment.
When we thought we could reach
glory by our own efforts,
you chose to meet us in low places,
walking with us, shedding tears for us,
using prophets to tell truth
and poets to whisper your promises.
When we continued to break your heart
with our love affair with sin,
you became one of us, in Jesus,
not clothed in glory
but wearing the mantle of grace,
not shining with wonder
but reflecting the radiance
of your love for all people.
With all the saints
and with all the foolish,
we sing our songs to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you,
God of wonder and wisdom.
All creation glorifies you.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who makes us one.
Hosanna in the highest!
You alone are holy, God,
and in your compassion
you sent Jesus to us.
He did not condemn us,
but prayed for us.
He did not distance himself,
but stood with the ignored.
He was willing to be broken,
so that all might be made whole.
He poured himself out for us,
that we might be filled
with resurrection love.
As we give thanks for his life,
as we remember his death and resurrection,
we proclaim that mystery we call faith:
Christ died, taking on suffering for us.
Christ was raised; new life being passed on to him.
Christ will come, to wrap us in the mantle of grace.
Here, where the cloak of faith
is passed on to others,
pour out your Spirit, Tender God,
on the bread, the cup, this feast,
on your Beloved Community.
As the broken bread
makes us one with you,
may we offer solidarity with the forgotten,
may we welcome others,
may we stand with the oppressed.
And as the cup fills us with grace,
may we be one in witnessing hope,
may we be one in offering grace,
may we be one in seeking justice.
And until Christ returns,
drying every tear
and gathering us in grace,
may we continue to serve you,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
Sending
Now let us go with God,
to share the mantle of grace with all.
Now let us go with Christ,
living out his prayer for unity.
Now let us go with the Spirit,
gathering all into the Beloved Community.
© 2025 Thom M. Shuman
Venmo: @Thom-Shuman
