tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152288962024-03-18T13:09:36.391-07:00Lectionary LiturgiesLiturgies based on the RCL readings for each Sunday of the church year. I post these for folks to use in worship, as they deem appropriate. If you use these posted liturgies on a regular basis, Please, will you consider making a modest donation to my writing ministry. @Thom-Shuman on VenmoThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comBlogger756125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-82321044287622710082024-03-17T11:29:00.000-07:002024-03-18T13:09:05.314-07:00Liturgy w/communion for March 24, 2024 (Palm/Passion Sunday)<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Texts: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 11:1-11</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Call to Worship</strong></span><br /><span>Here, we prepare ourselves for the week that is holy,</span><br /><span>yet filled with unholy acts, words, thoughts.</span><br /><strong><span>In this week of journey, people lose their way;</span></strong><br /><strong><span>in this week of betrayal, others find hope hidden in their hearts.</span></strong><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We will try to follow Jesus in the days to come,</span><br /><span>sustained by the Word of grace and life.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Joining the children, we wave palm branches with joy,</strong></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>while keeping nails ready if we need them.</strong></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The One who set aside glory, comes in humility;</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">the One who offers life, will challenge death itself.</span><br /><span><strong>Hosanna! Hosanna!</strong></span><br /><strong><span>Blessed is the One who opens the heart of God to us.</span></strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Creator God:</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you give us days</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">filled with parades, bands, and balloons;</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you walk with us</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">through days when we are overwhelmed</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">with pain, with doubt, with heartache.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We would empty ourselves</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">so we could make room for you</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">in our hearts.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Rider of Humility:</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">trusting God,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you offer your life</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">so we may no longer fear death;</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">loving God,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you challenge the powers</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">of the world;</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">following God,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you reveal faithfulness to us.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We would empty ourselves</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">so we could make room for you</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">in our hearts.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wisdom's Tongue:</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you come to us</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">with arms full of joy,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">spreading it in our path;</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">you take us by the hand,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">to walk with us through this week.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We would empty ourselves</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">so we could make room for you</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">in our hearts.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> God in Community, Holy in One,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">we open our hearts to you,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Where do we hide our palm branches when the <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">parade is over? When do our hosannas become <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">cries for punishment? How do we, like those <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">before us, turn our backs on the One who comes <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">to us in the name of the Lord? As we begin Holy <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Week, let us admit what is true about us, as we <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">pray together, saying,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <strong>Steadfast Lover: when things go well for us,<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> we can easily song loud hosannas, but the words turn to ashes in mouths full of anger and bitterness. We hide behind our palm branches, hoping you will not see the doubts we have about what you call us to do. We eagerly feast on your blessings but are reluctant to offer even crumbs to those around us.</span></strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong> Forgive us, Approaching God. Now, more than ever, forgive us. May we be as eager to lay down our fears and doubts, our sins and pride, as we are to lay don our coats for you. May we praise you for your victory over death, as well as for the promise of resurrection to new life, the promise given to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. </strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <em>Silence is kept</em></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">At his birth, Jesus comes bringing us hope.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Entering Jerusalem, he brings us assurance.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Walking to Calvary, he leads us to new life.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">All this was for us - so we could bend our</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">knees before God in humility and praise.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">God's steadfast love endures forever.</span><br /><strong><span>Hosanna! Hosanna!</span></strong><br /><strong><span>Blessed is the One who brings us the kingdom of God! Amen.</span></strong><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><strong><span>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</span></strong><br /><span>We could offer nails made out of rejection to others, help us share in their lives. We could wave the hurting and homeless away, help us to welcome them with love and hope. We could keep our gifts stuffed deep in our pockets, help us to give away more than we ever dare. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.</span><br /><span></span><br /><strong><span>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</span></strong><br /><span>May the God of this week be with you.</span><br /><strong><span>May God journey with you as well.</span></strong><br /><span>People of God, offer your hearts in these moments.</span><br /><strong><span>We open the closed gates of our fears to the God who comes to us.</span></strong><br /><span>Children of God, sing loud praises to the One who approaches.</span><br /><strong><span>We praise our God whose steadfast love is forever.</span></strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>This is your doing, Imaginative God,</span><br /><span>transforming the emptiness of chaos</span><br /><span>into the creation of beauty and hope where</span><br /><span> palms waved in summer breezes,</span><br /><span> colts frolicked in green meadows,</span><br /><span> children down streets in joy and wonder.</span><br /><span>You created all this goodness, all this grace,</span><br /><span>for those shaped in your image,</span><br /><span> but we took the nails and wood offered by sin</span><br /><span> to crucify your dreams for us.</span><br /><span>You continued to invite us through</span><br /><span>the gates of your love,</span><br /><span>sending women and men to call us home,</span><br /><span> but we rejected the prophets,</span><br /><span> even as we continued to rebel against you.</span><br /><span>So, you chose to become one of us,</span><br /><span>not in glory or power or wealth,</span><br /><span>but in humility, so we might be saved.</span><br /><br /><span>So with those who wave palm branches,</span><br /><span>with those who stand at the back of the crowd,</span><br /><span>we offer our thanksgiving to you:</span><br /><br /><strong><span>Holy, holy, holy are you, God of gracious love.</span></strong><br /><strong><span>Morning by morning, creation sings its praise to you.</span></strong><br /><strong><span>Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span>Blessed is the One who has a Teacher's tongue.</span></strong><br /><strong><span>Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br /><br /><span>This is your doing, God of our lives.</span><br /><span>Though sharing in your holiness,</span><br /><span>your Child chose to become human.</span><br /><span>Setting aside glory,</span><br /><span> Jesus came to fill us with grace.</span><br /><span>Taking off eternity's robes,</span><br /><span> Jesus knew our days of loneliness and fear.</span><br /><span>Leaving behind all majesty,</span><br /><span> Jesus became as humble as a little child</span><br /><span> who gazes at everything with awe and wonder.</span><br /><span>Deciding to set down power,</span><br /><span> Jesus went to the cross,</span><br /><span> letting death think it had defeated him</span><br /><span> as it gathered him in its cold embrace,</span><br /><span>until you breathed new life into him,</span><br /><span>the resurrecting Spirit of love being revealed for all.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>As we step forward in fear and doubts to follow,</span><br /><span>as we know how easily we would betray Jesus,</span><br /><span>we sing of the mystery we call faith:</span><br /><span></span><br /><strong><span>In steadfast love, Jesus was born;</span></strong><br /><strong><span>with steadfast trust, Jesus died;</span></strong><br /><strong><span>through steadfast grace, Jesus was raised from death;</span></strong><br /><strong><span>for steadfast hope, Jesus will come to open the gates of eternity for all.</span></strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>As you pour out your Spirit</span><br /><span>on the bread and the cup</span><br /><span>and your children gathered on this day,</span><br /><span>we know that this is your doing, Holy God.</span><br /><span>For through the bread which is broken,</span><br /><span>you feed us,</span><br /><span> so we might become one with the excluded,</span><br /><span> so we might bring healing to the hurting.</span><br /><span>And through the Cup which is blessed,</span><br /><span>your open our ears, our eyes, our hearts, our mouths,</span><br /><span> so we might speak out against oppression,</span><br /><span> so we might see each person as our sibling,</span><br /><span> hearing in their words your voice of love.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>And when the gates of time and history are closed,</span><br /><span>as eternity with you swings wide open,</span><br /><span>we will lift our voices with everyone</span><br /><span>from every time, and of every place,</span><br /><span>forever singing of your steadfast love,</span><br /><span>God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><span></span><br /><strong><span>Sending</span></strong><br /><span>God sends us forth in this week of holiness.</span><br /><strong><span>We will go to clothe those who are cold,</span></strong><br /><strong><span>we will offer our hearts to those who are lonely.</span></strong><br /><span>Jesus walks with us through the pain of the week.</span><br /><strong><span>We will listen to those who cry out for help,</span></strong><br /><strong><span>we will forgive those who betray us.</span></strong><br /><span>The Spirit comforts and strengthens us on this journey.</span><br /><strong><span>We will take the hands of all who stumble along the way,</span></strong><br /><strong><span>we will lean on strangers when we cannot take another step.</span></strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) Thom M. Shuman</span><br /><span><span></span> </span></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-58526217973153241052024-03-10T13:40:00.000-07:002024-03-11T13:49:47.638-07:00Liturgy w/communion for March 17, 2024 (Lent 5 - B)<p> Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:30-33</p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Call to Worship:</strong><br />This is the day God has promised: the day of the new covenant.<br /><strong>We are here, because our hearts are filled with love for our God.</strong><br />No longer carved on cold stone, this covenant is engraved on our hearts.<br /><strong>Our hearts are open so God's Word can shape us.</strong><br />We will reach out to our neighbors, our friends and family, even to strangers.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Our hearts are ready to serve God and all of God's people.<br /><br />Prayer of the Day</strong><br />You have forgotten more<br />than we will ever think of;<br />you have forgiven more<br />than we will ever do;<br />you have shattered<br />the cold stones encasing our hearts,<br />so your could write<br />your name on them.<br />Redeemer of all,<br />we praise you.<br /><br />You plant the seed<br />of grace and hope<br />deep within us,<br />watering them with your love;<br />you call us to follow,<br />so we may join you<br />in serving the broken<br />of our world.<br />Jesus of the tears,<br />we praise you.<br /><br />You journey with us,<br />leading us closer to the cross;<br />you center us<br />on the One we would follow,<br />so we can see Jesus clearly;<br />you point to your watch,<br />so we know the hour<br />for faithfulness has come.<br />Generous Spirit,<br />we praise you.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />we open our mouths to sing your praise,<br />even as we pray as we have been taught:<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br />If we would see Jesus, we must open our eyes to the ways we have not followed him as disciples. If we want God to create new hearts within us, we must speak of the old ways in which we continue to live. If we seek God's mercy, we must confess all that keeps us from living as God's children. Join me, as we come to the One who will forgive us.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><strong>Unison Prayer of Confession<br /> O Heart which seeks our own: we yearn for your presence in our lives, yet turn away from you time and again. We want to serve others, but become obsessed with our own desires. We need your Word to fill our emptiness, yet let it be silenced by the noise of our world. Our hearts are clogged with the foolishness of our lives, and often struggle to beat in rhythm with your own.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong> In this silence, and in the depths of our hidden souls, come to us and make us whole, Steadfast Love. Write </strong><em>grace </em><strong>upon our hearts, so we might be more forgiving people; write </strong><em>mercy </em><strong>on our hearts, so we might become more welcoming people; write </strong><em>hospitality </em><strong>upon our hearts that we might become more like Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who came for all people, even us. Amen.</strong><br /><br /><em>Silence is kept</em></span><br /><em></em><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong> <br />Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />A new heart, a generous spirit, a fresh start: these are the gifts our God gives to us.</span><br /><strong>Through Christ, we are cleansed; through Christ, we are healed; through Christ, we become new people. Thanks be to God. Amen.</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As you write upon our hearts, soften them with your compassion. As you soften them, open us to the needs of those close to us, as well as those in every corner of your world. As you open us to the hurts and heartaches of your children, give us the grace to be as generous with our gifts as you are in blessing us. Take these gifts and use them to share peace, love, grace, and joy with all of your people. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.</span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />May the Lord of Lent be with you.<br /><strong>May the Lord of Lent be also with you.</strong><br />People of God, lift up your hearts.<br /><strong>We lift our hearts to the One who writes a new covenant upon them.</strong><br />Give thanks to the God who makes you new.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>We open our lips to sing praises to the One who sustains us with a generous spirit.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />Our hearts are filled with joy<br />as we lift our glad songs to you,<br />Covenant Maker.<br />You created us in your image,<br />planting seeds of your love<br />deep within us.<br />But they could not bear fruit,<br />for we preferred death's darkness<br />to the light of your grace,<br />and the barren dust of the world<br />to the deep richness of your peace.<br />Despite our sin and arrogance,<br />you remained steadfast in your love,<br />calling to us through the prophets<br />to return to your side.<br />When we loved our way<br />more than your heart's desire for us,<br />you sent Jesus to restore us to your joy.<br /><br />And so, we open our lips<br />to join our songs of praise<br />with the faithful<br />of every time and place,<br />singing to the glory of your name:<br /><br /><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, Writer of our hearts.</strong></span><br /><strong>All creation is drawn to your side.</strong><br /><strong>Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Blessed is the One who comes with mercy for us.</strong><br /><strong>Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You alone are holy, Master of the Universe,<br />and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.<br />Baptized as your Beloved,<br />he became one of us,<br />sharing our life in every way.<br />When the hour had come<br />for him to be glorified,<br />he went to the cross to be broken.<br />He who called life into being at creation<br />suffered death for us,<br />planted like a seed<br />in the cold, friendless tomb,<br />so you could save him.<br />You raised him from the grave,<br />so we could follow him<br />into the life everlasting with you.<br /><br />As we come to this Table,<br />remembering all that he has done for us,<br />we proclaim the mystery of our faith:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Christ died, the One lifted up for all people.</strong><br /><strong>Christ was raised, the One called forth from death for all.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Christ will come, the One who is the source of eternal life for all.</strong><br /><br />You provide the gifts<br />of the bread and cup for us,<br />so that we might taste<br />your grace and hope.<br />As we come to the feast<br />you have prepared for us,<br />plant the seed of your Spirit<br />deep within our hidden hearts,<br />so we may serve<br />without expecting recognition;<br />so our generous spirit<br />might ease the poverty of the world;<br />so the good news we have heard<br />may be proclaimed to all we meet.<br /><br />Then, at last, when all people are free,<br />when all brokenness is made whole,<br />when all creation is once more new,<br />we will gather around your Table of joy,<br />singing your joy forever and ever,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God sends us forth as people of the covenant.</span><br /><strong>Our hearts are filled with compassion which we will share with others.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Jesus call us to share hope with all we meet.</span><br /><strong>Our hands will bring food for the hungry and build shelters for the homeless.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The Spirit of hospitality is engraved upon our spirits.</span><br /><strong>We will welcome everyone we meet with the grace which is written large upon our hearts.</strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">(c) Thom M. Shuman</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-55916256720931856602024-03-04T05:05:00.000-08:002024-03-04T11:50:45.483-08:00Liturgy w/communion for March 10, 2024 (Lent 4 - B)<p> Texts: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21</p><br /><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br />In this place, the community of faith<br />is reminded of the promise:<br /><strong>God's love endures forever!</strong><br />In spite of our impatient grumbling,<br />despite our attraction to the shadows:<br /><strong>Christ's light shines in us!</strong><br />When we think our hands our empty,<br />when we have no music in our souls:<br /><strong>the Spirit fills us with glad songs, </strong><br /><strong>and creates us for good works!<br /><br />Prayer of the Day</strong><br />You reach deep<br />into your pockets<br />stuffed with mercy<br />and fill our empty souls;<br />refusing to be in<br />the condemnation business,<br />your rebuild<br />our shaky foundations<br />with your everlasting love;<br />you hear our cries<br />of loneliness and lament,<br />and reach down<br />to lift us into your presence.<br />Good and Generous God,<br />we give you thanks!<br /><br />You save us by your grace,<br />so we may joyfully serve<br />our sisters and brothers;<br />you slide over<br />to make room for us<br />at your Table;<br />you step into<br />our shadowed lives<br />to take us by the hand<br />and lead us<br />into the light.<br />Healing Word:<br />we give you thanks!<br /><br />You calm our impatience,<br />so we may tell of<br />God's presence in our midst;<br />you silence our grumbling,<br />to teach us joy's anthems;<br />you shower us with kindness,<br />so we may overflow<br />with love.<br />Spirit of Obedience,<br />we give you thanks.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />we give you thanks for your steadfast love,<br />even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br />By nature, we are impatient, irritated, grumbling, disobedient children, always demanding our way. But God, who is good and kind and gentle, comes to transform us, by grace, into the people we are meant to be. Let us open ourselves to the One who overflows with love for us, as we confess our sins to God.<br /><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br /> The Light of the world has come, Ceaseless Creator, but we admit we love the shadows all around us. For there, we can boast of our achievements, rather than point to your grace; there, we can grumble of our unhappiness with you, instead of singing your praises; there, we can give into our natural anger, and not be touched by your call to be agents of peace and hope.<br /><br />Forgive us, Eternal Love:<br /> lead us from the shadows of sin<br /> into the light of your joy;<br /> raise us up, as your children,<br /> so we may knell in service to others;<br /> shower us with the grace, the hope, the peace<br /> you have brought to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.</strong><br /><br /><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />Let the community of faith say so:<br /><strong>God's love endures forever!</strong><br />Let those gathered in grace say so:<br /><strong>God's love endures forever!</strong><br />Let those gathered from all parts of the world say so:<br /><strong>God's love endures forever!</strong><br />This is the good news for us:<br /><strong>God's love endures forever. </strong><br /><strong>Thanks be to God. Amen.<br /><br />Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br />As we have been gathered in this place because of the faithfulness of those who have gone before us, so we pray that the gifts we offer in these moments might be used to reach out to those in all corners of the world who need hope, who hunger for food and justice, who yearn for peace, and who long for your graceful presence in their lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />May the God of the Lenten pilgrimage be with you.<br /><strong>And also with you.</strong><br />Offer all you have and are to your God.<br /><strong>We bring our hearts, our hopes, our minds, our bodies.</strong><br />Sing praises to the One whose love is constant and true<br /><strong>We sing joy, life, and peace to our God. </strong><br /><br />Bypassing the emptiness of chaos,<br />you set out be way of creation<br />to bring beauty and goodness<br />into being, God of every moment.<br />You offered us the immeasurable riches<br />of your gracious and joyous heart:<br /> brooks rippling over stone paths,<br /> crocuses blooming in snowy fields,<br /> songbirds melting the winter of our mornings,<br />but we were impatient,<br /> speaking against your dreams and hopes<br /> and in favor of sin and death.<br />Through the prophets, you sent your word<br />which could heal us and bring us back to you,<br /> but we refused to give up<br /> living among our foolish passions.<br />So then you sent your Child,<br />to deliver us from all our distress,<br />and to gather us home.<br /><br />With those who are rich in your mercy,<br />with those who long to draw near to you,<br />let your redeemed sing your praises:<br /><br /><strong>Holy, Holy, holy are you, Steadfast Love.<br />From every corner of creation, your praises are sung.<br />Hosanna in the highest!<br /><br />Blessed is the One who comes to save everyone and everything.<br />Hosanna in the highest! </strong><br /><br />Though you are holy, you set out<br />by way of Bethlehem, God of wonder,<br />to redeem us from all that separates us from you.<br />Though we spoke in anger and rebellion,<br />constantly opposing you,<br /> your Word came speaking of grace.<br />Though we chose to follow the course<br />of the world which lead us the wrong way,<br /> your Light came into the shadows<br /> to show us the way to the kingdom.<br />Though we ignored his teachings and life,<br />and were complicit in his suffering,<br /> your Life broke the power of death,<br /> your Weakness broke the strength of sin.<br /><br />As we remember how Jesus was lifted up on the cross,<br />as we celebrate how Jesus was lifted up from the grave,<br />we speak of that mystery that by grace we are saved:<br /><br /><strong>Christ died, calling us back to you;<br />Christ was raised, so all the world might be saved;<br />Christ will come, lifting us up to bring us to you. </strong><br /><br />Pour out your Spirit upon this Table<br />and the gifts of the bread and the cup,<br />that they might bless those you have gathered here.<br />It is by your grace that the broken bread<br />is able to strengthen us to serve;<br />it is by your peace that the cup<br />nourishes us to pray for others.<br />As we are made new by these simple gifts,<br />send us out by way of<br /> the broken, that we might bring healing;<br /> the oppressed, that we might offer freedom;<br /> the hungry, that we might feed them;<br /> the lonely, that we might offer a family.<br /><br />And when, by your grace, we are gathered<br />from north and south, and from east and west,<br />not by anything we have done, but by your love,<br />we will join every one of our siblings,<br />the saints and sinners, the complainers and the committed,<br />in singing our songs of thanksgiving to you,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br />As you leave this place,<br />remember you are God's community in the world:<br /><strong>for God's love endures forever!</strong><br />As you leave this place,<br />remember you are alive with Christ:<br /><strong>for Christ's light shines<br />in the deepest shadows!</strong><br />As you leave this place,<br />remember the gifts God offers to you:<br /><strong>for the Spirit fills us with good works to do,<br />and glad songs to sing to the world!</strong><br /><br />(c) Thom M. ShumanThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-73660774291196437862024-02-25T10:47:00.000-08:002024-02-25T10:47:09.510-08:00Liturgy w/communion for March 3, 2024 (Lent 3 - B)<p> Texts: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22</p><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br />The morning stars profess God's glory:<br /><strong>the waking birds harmonize a refrain of grace.</strong><br />The sun warms us with God's hope,<br />the night sky whispers peace to our sleepy souls:<br /><strong>creation's voice echoes continually in our hearts,<br />reminding us of God's steadfast love.</strong><br />Our wisdom is shattered by God's absurd love;<br />God's vulnerability strengthens our feeble faith:<br /><strong>God's words place joy in our hearts;<br />we follow them to peace and hope.<br /><br />Prayer of the Day</strong><br />You saw your children<br />as slaves in Egypt,<br />and brought them to freedom;<br />you see creation<br />held captive by our desire<br />for more and more,<br />and weep;<br />and so you pour out<br />your foolish love on us<br />from day to day.<br /><br />All that we have learned<br />and think we know<br />has not brought meaning<br />to our lives;<br />the brokenness<br />of our world<br />needs your peace;<br />our pain-shattered hearts<br />need your healing:<br />and so you speak to us<br />through the mouth<br />of your Servant, Jesus.<br /><br />All creation weeps<br />with grief,<br />and cries to you for comfort;<br />all the broken of our world<br />long for your wholeness;<br />all who hunger for hope<br />long for the sweetness<br />of your grace and joy;<br />and so you fill us with<br />the Wisdom of your Spirit.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />we tell of your glory from day to day,<br />even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br />At the center of the law is God's love - that divine nonsense shown in becoming human for our sake; that weakness for us which defeats the strongest powers. This love, this grace is of more value to us than all the stocks in our pension funds. Let us open ourselves to such love as we open our hearts to confess our sins to God.<br /><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br /> You give us your commandments, Holy One, so we may have new life, but we continue to make the same old choices. Your love can anchor us when life threatens to overwhelm us, but we choose to cling to the slippery rocks of anger and bitterness. Your Word can strengthen us for every moment, but we listen to the foolish promises of the world.<br /> Forgive us, Redeemer of our lives: may every word be shaped by your Word; may every thought be refined by your grace; may every deed be inspired by your Spirit, so we may tell everyone we meet of your work in us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.</strong><br /><br /><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />When brokenhearted prayers replace piety, when we seek wholeness through the One broken for us, then we remember we are saved by God's powerful love.<br /><strong>We are healed, to bring healing to our world;<br />we are strengthened in faith,<br /> to become spent for others;<br />we are set free from our bondage to sin,<br /> so we may become servants of Christ.<br />Thanks be to God. Amen.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br />Make us foolish enough in our generosity, O God, that we might become wise enough to know that our gifts will bless others - the hungry, the lonely, the searching, the weak. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />May the God of holy words be with you.<br /><strong>May the Meditation of our hearts be with you.</strong><br />People of God, open yourselves to the One who is your rock.<br /><strong>God fills us with foolishness, so we may be wise.</strong><br />Children of God, sing songs of thanksgiving with all creation.<br /><strong>Our voices are lifted to the One who makes all things.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />You spoke those words of creation,<br />God of faithfulness, and<br /> set the sun to run its daily course,<br /> filled the seas with imaginative creatures,<br /> planted fruits and vegetables in the earth.<br />All that is good and generous was intended<br />for your children shaped in your image,<br /> but we bore false witness against you,<br /> honoring sin and death more than you.<br />The prophets came to warn against our foolishness,<br />but we did not find their words acceptable,<br /> and continued to covet everything<br /> which did not belong to us.<br />So you sent your Child to us,<br />so we might find strength in his weakness,<br />we might find glory through his humiliation.<br /><br />With those who have great faith,<br />with those who have very little,<br />we sing our thanksgivings to you:<br /><br /><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, God of mountaintops.</strong><br /><strong>The heavens join all creation to tell of your glory.</strong><br /><strong>Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Blessed is the One who is foolish for our sake.</strong><br /><strong>Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Day to day, you are holy, our God,<br />and Jesus Christ declares your wisdom to us.<br />The Word of your mouth,<br /> he came, to tell us of your work<br /> of grace and hope.<br />The Meditation of your heart,<br /> he came, to quiet our frantic spirits<br /> so we might rest in you.<br />Your foolishness,<br /> he was wise enough<br /> to take our sins to the cross.<br />Your weakness,<br /> he was strong enough<br /> to endure death for us,<br />until you brought him out of the grave.<br /><br />As we remember his zeal for your heart,<br />as we remember his passion for us,<br />we would speak of that mystery we know as faith:<br /><br /><strong>Christ died, the rock which broke sin's power;</strong><br /><strong>Christ was raised, death conquered by our redeemer;</strong><br /><strong>Christ will return, desiring us more than anything in all creation.</strong><br /><br />Here at this Table, God of love,<br />we set aside our power to feast<br />on the weakness found in the broken bread;<br />we let go of our wisdom,<br />to drink from the cup of your foolish grace.<br />Your Spirit blesses these gifts, as well as us,<br />so when we have feasted,<br />we will look at the world with its<br />injustices, oppressions, wars, and fears,<br />saying, 'take these things out of here!<br />Stop making God's creation a house of horrors!'<br /><br />And when the sun has finished its course,<br />when the moon and stars shine no more,<br />we will be given the words from your mouth<br />so we can sing from the deeps of our hearts to you,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br />God speaks, and sends us forth.<br /><strong>We will go to proclaim God's grace and glory.</strong><br />Jesus speaks, and lives are changed.<br /><strong>We will go to set free the oppressed,</strong><br /><strong>to be the voice for those never heard.</strong><br />The Spirit speaks, and the world is turned inside out.<br /><strong>We will become as foolish as a trusting child,</strong><br /><strong>as powerless as those overlooked by everyone around them.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>(c) Thom M. Shuman</strong>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-156149993622726452024-02-17T17:17:00.000-08:002024-02-19T14:14:57.088-08:00Liturgy w/communion for February 25, 2024 (Lent 2 - B)<p> Texts: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38</p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br />Lent calls us to journey, this and every day,<br />following Jesus wherever he leads us.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Lent calls us to journey:<br />to the place where God covenants with us,<br />to receive the new names we are given.</strong><br />Lent calls us to worship together,<br />to tell future generations the good news.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Lent calls us to practice justice,<br />to bring God's hope to all people.</strong><br />Lent calls us to faithful living,<br />to trust the One who gives us life.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Lent calls each of us to take up our cross,<br />to trust the One who bears it with us.</strong><br />Lent calls us to journey with God.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Let us worship God, who walks with us,<br />this and every day.<br /><br />Prayer of the Day</strong><br />Choosing an aged, barren couple<br />to parent your holy people;<br />calling us to set aside ourselves<br />and to shoulder a cross;<br />showering us with love and mercy,<br />when we do nothing to deserve these gifts:<br />You always act in ways<br />which surprise us,<br />God of our parents.<br /><br />In hospital rooms,<br />where we wait in anxious expectation;<br />in classrooms,<br />where we chew on pencils while taking tests;<br />in this unholy mess<br />we call life:<br />you always call us<br />to faithfulness and trust:<br />Cross Bearer for us all.<br /><br />In the warmth of spring's approach,<br />we hear your voice;<br />in the moonlight of winter's last night,<br />we see your face;<br />in the silence of a child sleeping,<br />we are breathe in your grace:<br />you are always with us<br />in the ordinary moments of life:<br />Spirit of Holiness.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />May we see you, hear you, and know you<br />as we move through this Lenten season,<br />even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><b>Call to Reconciliation</b><br />Given a test on our<b> </b>faith, would we have a passing grade? Looking at our lives of discipleship, would we be considered good models for others? When we fail to trust God, we discover that we do indeed lead barren lives. Let us be honest as we stand before our God, and bring our confessions for forgiveness and hope.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong></strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Unison Prayer of Confession<br /> God of Sarah and Abraham, in this holy place, we know how weak is our discipleship. We can spend hours at the computer, but only give you fleeting moments of our time. We can talk endlessly on our cell phones, but fall silent when it comes to sharing our fears, our worries, our hopes with you. We seek quick fixes for our problems, rather than seeking your vision and future for our lives.<br /> God of Peter, Paul, and the psalmist, forgive us:<br /> for our lack of trust;<br /> for our faithless living;<br /> for our closing our ears to the call of Jesus.<br />Forgive us, so we may lay aside all the keeps us from you, so we may take up the life you offer to us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.</strong><br /><br /><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />This is the good news: God does not go back on the promises made so long ago. God does not reject us, God redeems us. God does not withhold love, God pours it into our barren lives.<br /><strong>Forgiven of our sins, filled with hope, living in relationship with God and one another - we are a new people. Thanks be to God. Amen.</strong></span><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br />May these gifts represent our willingness to deny ourselves, so others might be blessed by your grace, your peace, as well as your hope, in every moment of their lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />The God of the Lenten journey be with you.<br /><strong>And also with you.</strong><br />Open your hearts to God, heirs of the covenant.<br /><strong>We open them to the One who fills them with promise.</strong><br />Let us lift glad songs to our exceedingly faithful God.<br /><strong>Our praise will resound in this great congregation.</strong></span><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">"Walk before me," you whispered<br />to creation, God of the covenant,<br />and wonders beyond imagination sprang forth:<br /> bees flitting from flower to hive,<br /> planets spun from the gases of space,<br /> dinosaurs plodding through forests.<br />All this exceeding fruitfulness was offered<br />to those you shaped in your image,<br />that we might live in relationship with you,<br /> but sin's praises weakened our faith,<br /> and we stood in awe of death.<br />Prophets came, calling us to set<br />our minds on all things divine,<br /> but we turned a deaf ear<br /> to their impassioned pleadings.<br />So you chose to send Jesus<br />to teach us your heart<br />by the way he lived and loved.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">With those who find self-denial easy,<br />with those who find their cross too heavy,<br />we glorify you in these moments:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, God who calls us by new names.<br />All creation praises your surpassing wonders.<br />Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Blessed is the One who comes to us for our sake.<br />Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />You are holy, God of every promise,<br />and we are blessed by your Son, Jesus Christ.<br />He did not act as if<br />he had no use for us,<br /> but called us his sisters and brothers.<br />He was not grossed out<br />by those sins which tormented us,<br /> but came to heal us.<br />He did not turn<br />a deaf ear to us,<br /> but listened to us in a way<br /> no one else ever did.<br />He rebuked death, declaring,<br />"get behind me,"<br /> as he walked out<br /> into resurrection's dawn.<br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we remember Jesus' ministry and death,<br />as we would seek to live for him,<br />we proclaim that mystery we know as faith:</span> <br /> </span><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Christ died, taking up his cross and following God;<br />Christ was raised, the covenant promise fulfilled;<br />Christ will come, declaring "God has done it!"</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Because our faith depends on your grace,<br />pour out your Spirit upon this feast<br />and those you welcome to the Table.<br />As you nourish us with broken bread,<br />send us forth<br /> to feed the poor until they are filled,<br /> to clothe the naked until they are warm.<br />As you strengthen us<br />with the cup of grace,<br /> we will take the hand of searchers<br /> so, together, we may find you;<br /> we will welcome those rebuked<br /> by the world, so our hearts<br /> might live forever.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And when you gather your great<br />congregation around the Lamb's Table,<br />we will join our voices in proclaiming,<br />"You have done it,<br />God in Community, Holy in One!" Amen.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Sending</strong><br />Go now with God, on your journey through Lent.<br /><strong>We will discover the new name given to each one we meet.</strong><br />Go now with Jesus, walking wherever he leads.<br /><strong>We will put all our fears, as well as our longings, behind us.</strong><br />Go now with the Spirit, who is always full of surprises.<br /><strong>We will share the good news called Jesus with everyone.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong></strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">(c) Thom M. Shuman</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-53246606010451353642024-02-12T14:12:00.000-08:002024-02-12T14:12:03.734-08:00Liturgy w/communion for February 18, 2024 (First Sunday in Lent - B)<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Texts:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15</span></p><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Worship</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here, at the outer limits of Lent,<br />we are called to walk:<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to the paper-thin edges which cut us<br /> to the soul;<br />to the workplaces which weary us;<br />to the people who confuse us;<br />to the faith which threatens us.<br /></b>Here, at the corner of Steadfast Love<br />and Faithfulness, we are called to wait:<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">when our clenched stomachs awaken us;<br />in the moments of unbearable sorrow;<br />with the angels who would carry us.</b><br />Here, where time is fulfilled,<br />where God's Kingdom is as near to us<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">as our neighbor, we begin Lent:<br />with the Beloved, whose tears wash away<br /> our fears,<br />with the God who will not let go<br /> of our hands.<br /><br />Prayer of the Day<br /></b>You love us, O God.<br />Like a mother<br />who upholds her son through<br />the temper tantrums,<br />the ball-broken windows,<br />the smart-alecky remarks:<br />you love us, O God.<br />Like a father<br />who walks his daughter through<br />the terrible twos,<br />the giggling fours,<br />the confusion and chaos of adolescence:<br />you love us, O God!<br /><br />You give to us, Holy Brother.<br />In the tears crevassing our cheeks,<br />in the depths of our sighing;<br />in moments of exquisite joy<br />and the lingering days of loneliness:<br />you give to us - yourself.<br />In the chorales of morning birds,<br />in the silent prayers of our hearts;<br />in a night sky splattered with stars,<br />in a cross stained with blood and tears:<br />you give to us - yourself.<br /><br />You dance with us, Gentle Spirit.<br />In baptismal waters soaking our knees,<br />when desert dust chokes our hymns:<br />you dance with us, Gentle Spirit.<br />in jail cells and courtrooms,<br />on the journey to death,<br />and striding forth from the tomb:<br />you dance with us, Gentle Spirit.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />in any season, but especially in this Holy Season,<br />you love us, you give yourself to us, you dance with us;<br />and so we lift the prayers Jesus has taught to us, saying,<br />(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Reconciliation</b><br />God looks at the most broken soul and sees an angel aching to take flight. God sees our worst faults and washes them away in the waters of life. God hears our prayers of confession, and whispers sweet grace in our hearts. Let us pray together as we say,<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br />Forgive<br /> the silly sins of childhood,<br /> the exuberant sins of adolescence,<br /> the faded sins of aging;<br />forgive<br /> the sins we shout in the streets,<br /> the sins we whisper to ourselves;<br />forgive<br /> the sins we didn't give a second thought to,<br /> the sins we plot in the middle of the night;<br />forgive<br /> the flood of sins which threaten us,<br /> the wilderness of sin which we offer to others,<br /> the sin which seeks to imprison us:<br />forgive.<br /><br />Forgive us, Good and Gentle God,<br />forgive us and have mercy on us,<br />so we might walk the path of faithfulness<br />with Jesus, to Jerusalem and beyond,<br />so we might know your steadfast love in our lives.</b><br /><br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence is kept</i><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assurance of Pardon<br /></b>What can sustain us in the days to come, what will nourish us on our Lenten journey?<br />Look, here is all the food we need: God's Love, God's Word, God's Hope.<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Through the wilderness and into the kingdom of life, we are given daily bread for every day of the journey. Thanks be to God. Amen.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Prayer of Dedication/Offering<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As for us, Holy God, we offer our gifts to bring healing to the broken, hope to those in despair, light to those in shadows, and grace for all your people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’ name, we pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</b><br />May the Lord of Lent be with you.<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And also with you.<br /></b>People of God, lift up your hearts.<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We lift them to the One who calls us 'Beloved.'<br /></b>Beloved of God, give thanks and praise to the One who loves you forever.<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We sing our hymns of joy to the One who leads us into the kingdom.<br /></b><br />Hearts full of joy are lifted to you,<br />Crafter of Covenants.<br />When there was no time as we knew it,<br />you created Day and Night,<br />so we could wait for you all day long,<br />enjoying your grace and goodness.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But instead of learning your ways,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we listened to the seductive whispers of the Evil One,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and wandered into the wilderness of rebellion and sin.<br />Remembering the promises<br />made so long ago to our ancestors,<br />you sent the prophets to teach us<br />and to show us your paths to hope,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we ignored their witness and their words.<br />Yet, you would not see us left in death's desert,<br />and so sent the One who could lead us back to you.<br /><br />Therefore, we lift our voices<br />with the faithful of every time and place,<br />and the choirs of the kingdom,<br />who forever sing of your goodness and love:<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Holy, holy, holy are you, God our Teacher.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">All creation trusts in you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Blessed is the One who leads us in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!</span></b><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />Holy are you, God of Faithfulness,<br />and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Steadfast Love.<br />In those days,<br />he could have remained by your side,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but came to be by ours;<br />in those days,<br />he could have feasted on your glory,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but came to eat and drink with sinners;<br />in those days,<br />he could have remained whole and pure,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but died broken on a sin-stained cross,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that we might have<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all the days of eternity with you.<br /><br />As we begin that journey to Jerusalem<br />which will test our faith<br />and offer us opportunities to serve,<br />we remember the life, the death,<br />the resurrection of the One we follow.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus was baptized, the Spirit resting on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>him;<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus died, resisting the temptation to reject God;<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus was raised, fulfilling the time to defeat death;<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus will come, to fulfill God’s time for all of us.</span></b><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />On this day, and in this place,<br />God of Mystery,<br />pour out your Holy Spirit up us<br />and upon the bread we break<br />and the cup we share.<br />Through these gifts,<br />make us one with the Risen Christ,<br />and send us forth to serve the world.<br />Set free by the goodness of your love,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>let us proclaim liberty to the prisoners;<br />filled with the Bread of Life,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>let us feed the hungry of our communities;<br />our thirst cooled be the Cup of Grace,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>let us reach out to those<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who stumble through the desert of life;<br />walk with us through the wilderness of the world,<br />so we can gather our sister and brothers<br />in your love, your hope, your joy,<br />and journey together into your kingdom.<br /><br />Then, seated around the Table you set before us,<br />with the Beloved of every time and of every place,<br />we will merge our songs of praise<br />with those who have shown<br />your steadfast love and faithfulness<br />to all generations,<br />singing our praise to you,<br />God of Abraham and Noah, of Rebecca and Mary;<br />Jesus of the poor and oppressed;<br />Spirit of the lost and the least:<br />God in Community, Holy in One.<br />Amen and Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sending<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Trusting in God, let us go from this place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Taught all we need, we will bring hope and peace to others.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Trusting in Jesus, let us go into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Given all we need, we will go to serve those around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Trusting in the Spirit, we will not be tempted to stay, so let us go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Baptized in hope, we will go to welcome others as God’s Beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>© </b>Thom M. Shuman</span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-6735421444951671492024-02-03T14:03:00.000-08:002024-02-03T14:03:01.895-08:00Where ashes and love collide - an Ash Wednesday service for February 14th<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Call to Worship </b><br />One: It is love which calls us here. <br /><b>All: That love which may see its own shadow <br />yet continues to bring light to all. </b><br />One: It is love which gathers us to this place. <br /><b>All: That love which whispers in our hearts, <br />the love which sings in our silent souls. </b><br />One: It is love which surrounds us in these moments. <br /><b>All: That love which is fresh with each breath, <br />the love which endures forever. <br /><br />Song <br /><br />Prayer </b><br />When we choose to go off <br />pursuing our foolish choices, <br />your love is never held back. <br />Like a father sitting by a window, <br />staring down the street for us <br />to turn the corner towards home, <br />your love waits by your side, <br />God who never abandons us. <br /><br />If we turn our backs <br />chasing after those pied pipers <br />of politics, pride, and prejudice, <br />your love never wavers. <br />Like a sibling who is more patient <br />with us than we can imagine, <br />your love lets go of all frustration, <br />Jesus who walks with us. <br /><br />As we continue to persist <br />in shaping you in our image, <br />your love waits for us <br />to come to our senses. <br />Like a mother who sits by the bed <br />and listens to our worries, <br />your love gathers us to your heart, <br />Spirit who is always patient. <br /><br />You always put up with us, <br />you never stop believing in us, <br />your hopes for us never stop, <br />you go through everything for us, <br />God in Community, Holy in One, <br />and so we lift our family prayer to you, <br />(<i>The Lord’s Prayer</i>) <br /><br /><b>Readings </b><br /><br />Isaiah 54:7-10 <br /><br />Psalm 136:1-3 <br /><br /><b>Song </b><br /><br />I Corinthians 13 <br /><br />John 15:9-17 <br /><br /><b>Spoken or silent reflection </b><br /><b><br />Invitation to the Lenten life of love </b><br />Here is the place where <br />ashes and love collide, <br />as we are called once more <br />to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem, <br />where dreams will turn to dust <br />as love is silenced by betrayal and death. <br />When ashes and love collide, <br />we are challenged to remember <br />that his wilderness experience <br />models for us how to choose good over evil, <br />how to turn our backs on the voices <br />that call us to utter cruel words, <br />how to find the strength to work <br />for justice and care for the forgotten, <br />how to set aside our personal desires <br />so we can serve the most vulnerable, <br />how to draw on the ancient traditions <br />of silence, engaging with scripture, and prayer. <br />As ashes and love collide, <br />we remember our baptism into faith, <br />we come to the Table of grace, <br />we are marked as Christ’s own, <br />we come to be embraced by God’s <br />love which never, ever ends. <br /><b><br />Call to Reconciliation </b><br />As we begin our journey to Easter, we must be honest with our lives. We must speak of how often our faith fails us, how reluctant we are to not only deny ourselves, but to do more for others. Let us pray together saying, <br /><br /><b>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness <br /> If it was only for a moment, God of our lives, it might not be too bad. But we abandon you far too often, far too easily. We are impatient people, not suffering those we consider to be foolish. We are jealous of what others have. We persist in demanding things be done according to our whims. We like to boast about all we have done. And the lists of the wrongdoings of others? Oh, we run out of space, trying to keep track of them. <br /> Here at the crossroads of love and ashes, we pray for your forgiveness, God whose heart we break. Hear our faltering words, and whisper to us of your mercy. Take all our foolish choices and toss them in your bin of forgetfulness. Mark us with the ashes of the One who shows us how to be your people, Jesus, our Sibling, our Lord, our Friend. Amen. </b><br /><br /><i>Silence is kept </i><br /><br /><b>Assurance of Pardon</b></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One: God will not leave us alone but walks at our side. God’s grace marks us as Beloved children. God’s love lasts far longer than that very short memory God has of our foolish lives. This is indeed good news. <br /><b>All: It is God’s compassion which welcomes us. It is God’s peace which surrounds us. It is the constant love of God which embraces us with mercy. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen. </b><br /><b><br />Imposition of the ashes </b><br />Here are the ashes formed <br />not only from palm branches, <br />but from dreams that were lost, <br />hopes which were never fulfilled, <br />choices which turned to dust, <br />losses which overwhelmed us <br />with grief and terrible loneliness. <br />Here is the love we long for, <br />found in the remains of the cheers <br />we offered to Jesus when he first <br />came into our lives, but we soon <br />turned our backs on him, forgetting <br />the life which he offered to us and <br />continues to hold out for us. <br />Here, in this place and moment, <br />God takes the ashes and the love, <br />using them to mark us as God’s own, <br />constantly surrounded by that love <br />which is never held back from us, <br />comforting us with that hope which <br />is as constant as the rising of the sun, <br />embracing us in the gifts of peace, <br />reconciliation, justice, and generosity, <br />to help us to live as God’s people. <br /><br />As we are touched with both <br />the ashes of memories and <br />the everlasting gift of love, <br />God of our every moment, <br />remind us that just as you <br />shaped us from creation’s dust, <br />it is from your love that we come <br />and when our time ends, <br />it is to your love we will return. Amen. <br /><br />(in the silence, those who wish may come forward to have the sign of the cross placed on their foreheads or back of their hands. The ashes are from palms used in previous Palm Sunday services, mixed with oil representing God’s love poured upon us). <br /><br /><b>Invitation to the Table <br /><br />Communion Song <br /><br />Great Prayer of Thanksgiving </b><br />One: The God of ashes is with us. <br /><b>All: The God of steadfast love is here. </b><br />One: At this beginning of a familiar journey <br />may we offer our hearts to our God. <br /><b>All: We bring hearts which are broken for healing, <br />we bring hearts full of grace for sharing. </b><br />One: In the silence of our hearts, <br />in the stillness of our souls, <br />we would offer praise to our God. <br /><b>All: For here, even though we may struggle <br />to find the words, God already knows them. </b><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One: <br />Love. <br />While theologians ponder <br />and scientists try to find that <br />very point, that precise moment, <br />we know that it is love which <br />caused you to bring all of creation <br />out of the chaos on emptiness, <br />God of unparalleled imagination. <br />You spoke, and Word <br /> crafted multi-hued butterflies, <br /> pushed mountains toward the sky, <br /> hurled galaxies as far as possible. <br />You whispered, and Spirit <br /> moved upon seas and ponds, <br /> drifted as mist in the morning, <br /> breathed life into those shaped <br />in the image of love. <br />We could have remained in the arms <br />of your love which never lets go, <br />but we turned our backs on you <br /> choosing the shallow life sin offered <br /> as we handed ourselves over to death. <br />But you would not forget <br />nor would you leave us <br />to our ever-foolish lives. <br />Into the ashes of our failures, <br />of our crushed dreams, of our death, <br />you sent your Beloved <br />to come and walk the dusty <br />roads of life and mortality. <br /><br />So, in these moments of silence, <br />with all marked with your love, <br />we offer you our songs of thanksgiving: <br /><b><br />All: <br />Holy, holy, holy are you, God who abides in us. <br />We join all creation in singing your wonder. <br />Hosanna in the highest! <br /><br />Blessed is the One who comes to call us friends. <br />Hosanna in the highest! </b><br /><br />One: <br />Love. <br />That is who you gifted to us, <br />God of all time. <br />Unimaginable love shared <br />with us in the One who dared <br />to become just like us, <br /> knowing our pain, <br /> experiencing our fears, <br /> weeping our tears. <br />Steadfast love offered <br />to us through Jesus who <br />constantly shared your love <br /> in the stories which were told, <br /> in conversations with others, <br /> in all the meals together. <br />Transformative love seen <br />through the final parts of <br />that life which was always for others, <br /> in the refusal to claim glory, <br /> in the brokenness of body and spirit, <br /> in the greatest love for all your people. <br />Resurrection love was the surprise <br />of grace and hope you give us <br /> bringing forth Jesus from the ashes <br /> of death’s destroyed power. <br /><br />As we prepare to leave to follow <br />the One who leads us from life to death <br />and beyond to your steadfast love, <br />we speak of faith’s mystery: <br /><b><br />All: <br />In love, Christ came to us. <br />With love, Christ gave himself. <br />Through love, Christ was raised. <br />For love, Christ will come again. </b><br /><br />One:<br />Love.<br />It is here at this Table <br />we will find your love, <br />taste your grace, <br />know the meaning of the ashes. <br />Pour out your Spirit on the gifts <br />of the bread as well as the cup <br />and on all who are gathered. <br />In hope, may the bread <br />which represents the brokenness <br />of your steadfast love <br />strengthen us to go to serve, <br /> to be more patient, <br /> to offer more kindness, <br /> to set aside arrogance, <br /> and to lift up the fallen. <br />In grace, may this cup <br />which reminds us of the spirit <br />of love which never gives up, <br />enable us to go out and <br /> learn from the forgotten, <br /> find joy in speaking truthfully, <br /> bring justice to the forgotten. <br /><br /><b>All: <br />And when all time ends <br />as our joy is made complete <br />in that love which has endured <br />from the very beginning of creation, <br />we will join with our siblings <br />in singing your glory forever and ever, <br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen. <br /></b><br />© 2024 Thom M. Shuman <br /><br />Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-28171305959118191992024-01-29T14:29:00.000-08:002024-01-29T14:29:31.420-08:00Ash Wednesday Service with alternate texts<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Texts:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Amos 5:8-15; Psalm 139:7-12; Romans 8:31-35; Luke 18:9-14</span></p><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Worship<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We gather in the dimness of evening<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to be with the God who brightens<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">the shadows of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We gather in the quiet of this place,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to be with Jesus, knowing that nothing<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">past, present, or future separates us.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We gather to be marked as disciples,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to be fed for the journey through Lent,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to be sealed by the Spirit as God’s own.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Evening Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You wait on this evening,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Patient God, for us to come back:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to stop going away from you<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on our self-focused travels;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to set aside our empty fears;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to cease shaping you in our image,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we can discover you closer<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>than we ever dare imagined.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You wait for us this night,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Companion of our hearts,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">for us to follow once more:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">leaving the shuttered corners<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of our lives;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">refusing to go from one failed<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>promise to another;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">coming out of the panic rooms<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have built in our souls,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so you can take us by the hand<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to lead us to resurrection life.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You wait in scattered ashes of our lives,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Spirit of silence, for us to find you:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">in the broken bread<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which strengthens us to serve;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">in the cup of grace<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which fills our emptiness;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">in our sisters and brothers<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who are willing to hold us up<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when we falter,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so you can embrace us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with joy and hope in every moment.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As you wait, and as we seek<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to return to you in these moments,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we pray as we are taught,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Invitation to the Lenten life<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Not for the first time, yet fresh once more,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we accompany Jesus to Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Because of his experience in the wilderness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we discover how we might have the strength<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to turn our back on evil, so we can choose good.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">By his example of fasting and prayer<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the midst of serving and caring for others,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we can learn that rhythm of faithful living<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">which allows us to work for justice and hope,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we draw strength from the timeless acts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">of silence, feasting on the word, and prayer.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we remember our baptism into faith,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we gather at the feast of grace,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we are marked as Christ’s own,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we prepare ourselves to come to God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">on this holy night.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On this night, we begin our journey to Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we can take the first step, we must admit how we have not been faithful to our God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us pray together, saying,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have trouble telling the truth, God of broken hearts, yet we must admit on this night how we have trouble being your people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not trample the poor, but we sometimes walk right past them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t receive bribes, but we are more privileged than many around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We trust more in ourselves than in you, and spend far too much time patting ourselves on the back, rather than holding out a hand to others.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where can we go for forgiveness but to you, God of the ashes? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are greedy, you promise to be gracious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we have trouble confronting injustice, you stand at our side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we struggle to seek good, you point us to Jesus, our Brother, our Savior, who shows us how to turn our back on evil to follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Silence is kept<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God refuses to stand far off, but comes close to us – to hear our prayers, to touch our hearts with forgiveness, and to walk with us during this holy season and beyond.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We have no need to go anyplace else, but into the comforting and restoring heart of the One who loves us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks be to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Imposition of the ashes<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Just yesterday it seems, the palms were<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">fresh and green, held tight in hands<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we reenacted Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">But then they dried, shriveled, became<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">almost too fragile to touch, until<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we burned them into the ashes for tonight.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Yet, by the grace of our God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with the Spirit resting upon them,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">they are mixed with oil and placed<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">on our heads or hands,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">the dust of life resting upon us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as a sign that by sharing the gifts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">of peace, reconciliation, justice, and generosity,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will live into the people we long to become.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we are touched with this mark,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God of all moments,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">remind us that just as you<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">shaped humanity from earth’s dust,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so, from the ashes of repentance and denial,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">that grace which is gifted to us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">will shape us into faithful followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">(In the silence, those who wish may come to have the sign of the cross placed on their foreheads or back of their hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ashes are from palm branches used in previous Palm Sunday services, mixed with oil)<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Invitation to the Table<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">May the God of the ashes be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And also with you.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">On this night, let us offer our hearts to God.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We open then so we may be filled with the gifts of Lenten discipleship.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Let us lift glad thanksgiving to our God.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We offer praise to the One who gives us the strength for this journey.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There at the edge of the emptiness of chaos<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you spoke, God of all graciousness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>brightening the shadows with lights in the sky,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pouring the waters into rivers and seas,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>planting seeds to feed all creatures.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">From the dust of creation, you shaped your children,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">offering us all the goodness and beauty<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">which overflowed from your heart,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we trampled through your hopes,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as we turned from your heart<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to chase after evil’s false promises.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">But no matter where we went,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">or how far we sought to flee from you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you continued to meet us in all those places,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">constantly inviting us to return to you<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">and be filled with your steadfast love.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, we join with our sisters and brothers,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">in the silence and shadows of this evening,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to offer you songs of thanksgiving:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Holy, holy, holy are you, God who is at our side.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We join all creation in singing your praises.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Blessed is the One who makes us right.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Your constant love is the seal of your holiness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">and Jesus is the One who comes<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so we will never be separated from you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">He endured every hardship we experience,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we receive the hope you offer to us;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">he experienced the hunger of loneliness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we might become members of your family;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">he was willing to set aside his life,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so death would have no power<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to keep us apart from you, but<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your resurrection power would give us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the same life he received from you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we take our tentative first steps towards Jerusalem,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we would be marked as his companions,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we remember that mystery known as faith:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Christ died, not withholding his heart;<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Christ was raised, so that he might become our advocate;<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Christ will come, to draw us to your side.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here at this Table of life and longing,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">pour out your Spirit on us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">and on the gifts offered to us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">May the bread which is broken<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">strengthen us so nothing can separate us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from those who struggle with life;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from those who mourn a death;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from those who have no power or voice.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">May the cup which overflows with grace<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">nourish us so we pick up<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those who have been trampled by misery;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those who are trapped by injustice;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those who are pushed aside by the privileged.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And when neither death nor life,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">neither time nor history<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">can keep us apart from you<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as you gather us around your Table<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with our sisters and brothers,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will sing your glory and praise forever and ever,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God in Community, Holy in One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sending<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Smudged this night with the ashes of penitence,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will go out to share God’s forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with those we have hurt, with those who are forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Fed this night by the Host of the Feast of grace,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will go out to bring healing to the broken,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to offer grace to those trampled by the powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Called this night to journey through suffering to new life,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will go out to stand with those experiencing injustice,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to share the Spirit’s peace and reconciliation with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">© Thom M. Shuman</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-46439516894112216682024-01-29T14:28:00.000-08:002024-01-29T14:28:01.253-08:00Liturgy w/communion for February 11, 2024 (Transfiguration of the Lord - B)<p> Texts: 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-5; Mark 9:2-9</p><br /><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br />You are with us, God of sunrises:<br /><strong>you awaken us with each bright new day,</strong><br /><strong>overflowing with promise.</strong><br />You are with us, Inviting God:<br /><strong>calling us to respond to all the chances<br />to share the spirit of grace and hope.</strong><br />You are with us, Glory of God:<br /><strong>gathering us into the presence of your peace,<br />listening to the deep sighs of our hearts.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong><br />Glory of all creation:<br />as the sun nudges us<br />out of bed each morning,<br />so you gently lift the veil<br />of doubts and fears from our hearts<br />that we might see your joy.<br />At the setting of the sun,<br />you do not leave us alone,<br />but you sit with us<br />through the night,<br />sharing stories of hope.<br />And we do not lose heart.<br /><br />Joyous Face of God:<br />on the peaks of promise,<br />we discover your grace,<br />sparkling with gentle delight<br />as it comes to rest<br />within our weary lives.<br />In the valleys of despair,<br />as we trudge long,<br />our burdens dragging behind us,<br />we turn to discover you<br />putting them on your shoulders,<br />the gentleness of your compassion<br />lighting the way to the kingdom.<br />And we do not lose heart.<br /><br />Listening Spirit:<br />in the hard times<br />which life may offer,<br />you are there with us,<br />hearing not only our struggles,<br />but the hopes singing<br />silently in our souls.<br />In the barren seasons<br />through which we may walk,<br />we find you ahead of us,<br />planting the seeds of joy<br />which will once more blossom<br />in the springtime of God's love.<br />And we do not lose heart.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />we lift our hearts, our hopes, our voices<br />as we pray as Jesus teaches us, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br />We can become so burned out by our hectic days that we lose sight of the One who gives us life. We can become so impatient waiting for God to astound us with wonders, when we have the simple pleasure of each day. In these quiet moments, away from all those things which distract us, let us bring our brokenness to the One who listens to our hearts, and heals our souls. Join me, as we pray, saying,<br /><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br /> The radiance of your grace is poured out in every moment, Shaper of mountaintops, but we dull its luster by living in the shadows. We indulge in fantasy games and watch shows which claim to be 'real,' but we have trouble simply sitting in your presence, in your healing silence. We can become so infatuated with your love for us, we overlook those who hunger for acceptance and hope.<br /> Revealer of mystery, forgive us. In silence, may we hear your whispers of grace. In mercy, may we feel your forgiveness lifting the burden of guilt from us. In trust, may we go forth to serve your world, filling it with the light and love of the One who is the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.</strong><br /><br /><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />The promise is true--God's Light has come into the world, and into our lives. We are graced with glimpses of God's glory, even as we are filled with mercy and forgiveness.<br /><strong>Here we find the peace and quiet we need; here we are set free from all that keeps us from serving; here we are given mercy and hope. Here we give thanks to our God. Amen</strong>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br />We could remember the giants of the past, or serve the little ones of today; we could build grand facilities, or restore neighbors; we could stay on mountaintops, or go into the valleys of loneliness with our arms full of grace. May our lives and gifts we offer be used in your work of justice and hope, we pray. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />May God be with you.<br /><strong>May God be with you also.</strong><br />Lift up your hearts, people of God.<br /><strong>We open them to the One who loves us.</strong><br />People of God, give thanks to the One who meets us<br />on the mountaintops of glory and in the valleys of service.<br /><strong>It is good that we offer praise and thanksgiving<br />to the One who is with us in every moment.</strong><br /><br />You crafted mountains on which<br />we might find your majesty;<br />you carved rivers of life<br />where we might bathe in your grace.<br />All things were shaped by you,<br />Bright Glory of creation,<br />and given that we might live<br />in the abundance of your hopes for us.<br />When we could have lived in that garden<br />of serenity which you planted for us,<br />we caught a glimpse of temptation<br />out of the corners of our eyes,<br />and sought gifts from sin and death,<br />who were only too eager<br />to offer us a double portion.<br />You sent the prophets to lead us out<br />of the valleys of despair<br />back to the mountaintop with you,<br />but we chose to remain in the company<br />of the false gods of this world.<br />But you would not forsake us,<br />but became one of us,<br />that we might be transformed<br />into your faithful children.<br /><br />With the Breath of life within us,<br />with the Word of grace in our hearts,<br />we join all who have gone before us,<br />and with those who are with us now,<br />singing the ancient song of glory:<br /><br /><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, God of glory and grace.<br />Heaven and earth sing loud songs of praise to you.<br />Hosanna in the highest!<br /><br />Blessed is the One who comes to offer us<br /> a double portion of grace and mercy.<br />Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><br />Mighty God, lover of justice,<br />you summoned your Son, our Savior,<br />to come to us that we might be redeemed.<br />Coming down Glory's mountainside,<br />he does not remain silent about your hopes,<br />but calls to us to follow him into<br />your kingdom of mercy and love.<br />He carried his cross to the top<br />of that garbage heap called Calvary,<br />to be put to death beside two thieves.<br />Surrounded by sin and death in the tomb,<br />he made a path through them<br />into the new life given by God,<br />tearing their power over us into pieces.<br /><br />Remembering that he could have chosen to stay<br />with Moses and Elijah, but came to serve us,<br />we proclaim our faith as we come to the Table:<br /><br /><strong>In love, Christ died for us.<br />In joy, Christ was raised for us.<br />In glory, Christ will come again to us.</strong><br /><br />Now, on the gifts of the bread and the cup,<br />and on your children gathered in this place,<br />pour out your Spirit, God of Joy.<br />As we share the brokenness of Christ,<br />may we be restored to wholeness;<br />as we drink of his forgiveness,<br />may we become more gracious.<br />May his return in faith<br />find us praying for your peace;<br />may his return in hope,<br />find us working for your justice;<br />may his return in love,<br />find us welcoming all your children.<br /><br />And when Christ does come again in glory,<br />when all have received a double portion of your grace,<br />when creation is made whole once again,<br />and joins in the glad songs of praise,<br />we will worship and adore you, forever and ever,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br />God sends us from this sacred space.<br /><strong>We will go to share the good news of grace,</strong><br /><strong>to offer healing to the broken.</strong><br />Jesus would not have us stay here forever.<br /><strong>We will go to find our sisters and brothers</strong><br /><strong>in the valleys of injustice and the neighborhoods of addiction.</strong><br />The Spirit fills us with the gifts we need as we leave.<br /><strong>We will go to help rebuild the lives of those around us,</strong><br /><strong>to share feasts of hope and peace with everyone.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />(c) Thom M. ShumanThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-56116620605396598172024-01-29T08:49:00.000-08:002024-01-29T08:49:17.579-08:00Liturgy w/communion for February 4, 2024 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany)<p> Texts: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39</p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We gather to worship God,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">whose creative imagination never fails:</span><br /><strong>For the sake of God, we will search for the outcasts.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We gather to praise our God,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">whose steadfast love never weakens:</span><br /><strong>For the sake of Jesus, we will lift up all who have fallen.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We gather to offer our best to God,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">who walks with us through eternity:</span><br /><strong>For the sake of the Holy Spirit, we will walk with the weary.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You lift up those</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we step over</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in our race to success;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you soak our aching feet</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in the waters of life;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you massage hearts</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">bruised by others.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We praise you,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Rebuilder of crumbling souls</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You pick those not chosen</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">on the playgrounds of life;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you cover open sores</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with your grace;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you wander our streets,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">inviting those</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">who huddle in doorways</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to feast at your Table.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We follow you,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Bread of Heaven.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You gather those</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">who are cast aside</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">by a throwaway society,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and call them by name;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you melt hearts hardened by cynicism</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with the warmth of your hope;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you energize us</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">so we can sprint into the kingdom.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We welcome you,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Delightful Spirit.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we come to you as your people,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">praying as Jesus has taught us, saying,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We walk through life, confident, strong, boasting of all our achievements. But God sees the hurts we have inflicted on others, the weariness in our bones from chasing after bad choices, and all the foolishness we trip over in the busyness of life. Let us come to God, for the One who listens to our faltering words is the One who gives us the Word filled with grace and mercy. Join me as we pray together, saying, </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</strong><br /><strong> We cannot hide from you, Everlasting God, even if we were to go from one edge of creation to the next. you speak to us of compassion, but the ways in which we treat others show we have not been listening. You explain your hopes to us, and we act as if we don't have a clue as to what is going on. We run as fast, and as far, from you as we can, and wonder why we have no energy to follow Jesus.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> <strong>Yet you search for us in all the deserted places we flee to, Never-wearied God, so you can take us by the hand to show us the way to life with you. You heal our broken hearts so we can offer them to others. You fill us with your strength so we can bind ourselves to Jesus, our Savior, following him to serve all of your children.</strong></span><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><em>Silence is kept </em><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Have you not been listening. God never tires out, nor is there is an expiration date on God's forgiveness. God is ever with us, healing us with mercy, and strengthening us for service.</span><br /><strong>If God numbers the stars, surely our names are known by the One who loves us and offers us grace. This is indeed good news for all! Thanks be to God. Amen.</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You lift us to our feet so we can walk with you, Loving God, and you fill us with your gifts so we may pour them out for those around us. Take what we offer and use them in that kingdom work which strengthens the weary, feeds the hungry, and gives hope to the despairing. Amen.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">May God be with you.</span><br /><strong>May God be also with you.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">People of God, open your hearts.</span><br /><strong>We open our hearts to God and to each other.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let us give thanks to the Living God.</span><br /><strong>With joy and praise, we offer our thanks to the One who offers abundant life.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In the morning, Awakening God,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you took creation and flung it</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to the far corners of chaos,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> naming the stars twinkling in the night,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> shaping deserted places for prayers,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> feeding all the creatures in the fields.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You longed to walk with those</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">created in your image, so we would not weary,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> but we listened to the boasting of death,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> as it proclaimed sin's opportunities.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You sent the prophets, who cried out,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">'haven't you been listening; don't you</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">realize what God is trying to do for you?'</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> but we continued to delight</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> in all which opposed you.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So, having created all things,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you became the one thing we needed,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">our Savior.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">With those so weary that cannot take another step,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with those revived by your grace and hope,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we lift our praises to you now and forever:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, God of all knowledge.</strong><br /><strong>All creation sings glad praises to you.</strong><br /><strong>Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Blessed is the One who came for our sake.</strong><br /><strong>Hosanna in the highest!</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Holy are you, Star Namer,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">He became weak,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> so the power of the world</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> would be shattered;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he became poor,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> so we might be filled</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> with the riches of your grace;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he went to that deserted place</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we call the grave,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> so death might be</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> knocked off its pedestal,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as you breathed new life</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">into his knackered spirit.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we search for him in our time,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as we would proclaim the gospel,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">may we find that mystery we call faith:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Christ died, not boasting in himself;</strong><br /><strong>Christ was raised, the gospel lived out in him;</strong><br /><strong>Christ will come to take us by the hand, giving us strength.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Here is that Bread, which though broken,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> can strengthen the powerless;</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">here is that Cup, which though emptied,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> can fill the weary with hope.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Pour out your Spirit not only on these gifts,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">but upon your children gathered around the Table.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We come, bone-tired,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> so make us bone of your bone,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> and flesh of your flesh.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We can barely take another step,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> so empower us to walk</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> beside the lonely and the homeless.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We are so fatigued by our despair,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">feed us with your hope and joy,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> so we may proclaim your kingdom</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> to everyone we meet.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And when the day comes</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to gather with all your children</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">around the Feast of the Lamb,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we will join hands</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and dance around the Table,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">singing your praise forever and ever:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God our Creator,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Christ our Servant,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Spirit of Newness,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God sends us forth into the world,</span><br /><strong>so we will go to walk miles in the shoes of others.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Jesus calls us to serve everyone we meet,</span><br /><strong>so we will become all things to all people.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The Holy Spirit encourages us to let go of our gospel-given rights,</span><br /><strong>so we may breathe new life into the faint.</strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">(c) Thom M. Shuman</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-18035031493360112662024-01-21T11:26:00.000-08:002024-01-21T11:26:52.500-08:00Liturgy w/communion for January 28, 2024 (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - B)<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Texts: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28</span></p><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Worship<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We gather in this sacred space,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to offer our thanks to God with all our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We gather with this community of faith,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to follow Jesus, who longs to lead us into life.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We gather in these moments,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to learn all we can of grace from the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Prayer of the Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You pull on your work boots,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>crafted from love;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you hang justice and peace<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on your tool belt;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you take on rebuilding neighborhoods<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when we would walk away.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">What have you to do with us, Holy God?<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You model compassion for us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You take us by the hand<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to lift us to our feet;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you show us the path<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which leads to humility;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you leave a trail of grace crumbs<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so that we might follow.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">What have you to do with us, Brother of the poor?<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You call us to serve by your side.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You plant words of peace<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>deep into our hearts;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you raise up little children<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to whisper hope to us;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you stand by the side <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of all who look for life.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">What have you to do with us, Spirit of grace?<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You teach us how to build up others with love.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">What have you to do with us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God in Community, Holy in One?<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Everything it turns out, everything,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we lift our prayer to you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Though we think we know it all, our lives reflect how little we respect others, how often our words and actions damage those around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us come to our God, with our prayers as ell as our hearts, so we may be healed with forgiveness.</span><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We come on this holy day, God our God, to speak of how we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politicians, celebrities, talk show folks have become our so-called gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our choices often cause those around us to trip over our anger and slip on our pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words we speak to others show how we really want nothing to do with you.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us, Holy God, and have mercy on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we silence our fears, so words of hope may be spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we give thanks not only with our hearts but with the grace we can share with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May justice and peace be the tools we use as we serve beside Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence is kept<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We know who God is – the One who comes to love us, to forgive us, and to save us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks be to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will spread this good news, and share this grace and hope, with everyone we meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Prayer of Dedication/Offering<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Gather our gifts, our hearts, our very lives, Loving God, and use them in your work of reconciliation, grace, and hope for all your children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’ name, we pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">May God be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And also with you.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In this gathering of God’s people, lift up your hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We offer them to our God who fills us with hope.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In this sacred space of joy, sing glad songs.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We join in giving thanks to our God.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You are indeed to be praised, O God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">for you poured your Spirit into chaos,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">and with your Word raised up<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>towering peaks kissing the sky,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>snowflakes blanketing the meadows,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>little birds flitting from bush to bus.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">All was formed and offered to us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">your children shaped in your image,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we listened to sin and death,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>imposters calling themselves gods.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Because you knew us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you continued to send prophets to us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to call us back to you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we said, ‘what do you have<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to do with us?’ ignoring their words.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">So, you sent your Child to us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that we might know who you are.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">With the upright and faithful,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with those who stumble along the way,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will give wholehearted thanks:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Holy, holy, holy, are you, Awesome God.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">All creation delights in praising you.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Blessed is the One who teaches us with grace.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You are holy indeed, Majestic God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">and you astounded us by sending Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">your very Self, to be with us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">By his humility,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he teaches us <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to serve others;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">by his weakness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he models the strength<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to challenge injustice;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">by his silence,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he helps us to listen<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to hearts, not just words;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">by his death,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he shows us how<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to trust in resurrection hope.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we come to the Table,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we proclaim the mystery <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">that Jesus came, not to destroy us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">but to save us:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Raised up on the cross, he died as he lived,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">trusting in you;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">raised from death he points us <o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to your resurrection love;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">raising us from our fears, he promises <o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to have everything to do with us.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As you pour out your Spirit<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">on those gathered in this place,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you provide the bread and the cup <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">from the simple gifts of creation,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">blessing them with your love.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we eat of the broken bread,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">may it bring us closer to all<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we are called to serve:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the hungry, the hurting,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the cold, the oppressed.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we drink from the cup,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">may its grace raise us up<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to go out and become<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>carers of the forgotten,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>workers of justice,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>builders of shelters.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And when we gather in the company<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">of our sisters and brothers of every <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">time and place around your table,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will give thanks with our whole hearts,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God in Community, Holy in One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sending<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, let us go from this sacred space,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to be with the homeless on the streets,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with the lonely in the hospitals.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, let us leave this family of God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to care for those who have been forgotten,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to lift those shoved aside by the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, let us set aside this holy time,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to go into the moments of hunger for little children,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to be with those whose days seem to have no end.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">© Thom M. Shuman </span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-26557812123009114132024-01-14T09:36:00.000-08:002024-01-14T09:36:13.579-08:00Liturgy w/communion for January 21, 2024 (Epiphany 3 - B)<p> Texts: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 </p><br /><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br />The Word of the Lord came,<br /><strong>hope for all people cradled in his arms.</strong><br />the Word of the Lord comes,<br /><strong>calling us out of our comfort zones,<br />to go where grace is needed most.</strong><br />The Word of the Lord will come,<br /><strong>gathering all the outsiders and insiders<br />into one community of the kingdom. <br /><br />Prayer of the Day</strong> <br />When we try to ward off <br />your call to proclaim <br />the kingdom's good news <br />to those we would never <br />welcome into our tight circle, <br />you remind us that we can never <br />set boundaries on how far <br />your mercy, your love, your hope <br />will extend, God of persistence. <br /><br />Looking at your watch, <br />you announce, 'it is time,' <br />opening your arms to welcome <br />all the outlanders we build fences <br />to keep out of our lives, <br />opening your heart to draw <br />all the odd ones out <br />into the safe shelter <br />of your heart, Calling Jesus. <br /><br />Each morning, <br />you break your fast <br />with those for whom <br />we have no place at our tables; <br />each day, <br />you set out <br />to meet those who stand <br />at the edge of our narrow-mindedness, <br />to show them the path home; <br />each evening, <br />you take our foolish fears <br />and gently blow them away <br />from our hearts, Companion of Grace. <br /><br />We wait and trust in you, <br />God in Community, Holy in One, <br />even as we pray as taught, saying, <br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>) <br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong> <br />Now is the appointed time. Pour out your hearts to God, bringing those harmful words you spoke, the chances to help you turned your backs on, and the foolish choices of your lives. Offer them to the One who longs to hear us, trusting that God will forgive us. <br /><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness <br /> Our comfortable lives convince us we do not need to follow Jesus, Steadfast God. Our work provides for our wants, so we have no need for your grace. Our friends are found through social media, so we do not need your community. Our fear of the beliefs and cultures of others makes us sure that we do not need to share your grace with them. <br /> Forgive us for dragging our feet as Jesus' disciples, Compassionate God. May we get up from our comfort zones and step out in faith. May we go to all the uncomfortable places to bring hope. May we proclaim with our lips, but especially with our lives, that the kingdom of love is near, brought by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. </strong><br /><br /><em>Silence is kept</em> <br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />Now, after we confess, we hear the good news proclaimed: God hears our words, God sees our changed hearts, God's steadfast love is poured out upon us! <br /><strong>We will trust in God, in whom our salvation rests. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen. <br /><br />Prayer of Dedication/Offertory</strong> <br />May these gifts we offer show we recognize your claim upon us, Holy God. Use them so your grace, your love, and your hope may be shared with everyone who needs them. Amen. <br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />May the God of the outsiders be with you.<br /><strong>And also with you.</strong><br />Open your hearts to God, dear friends.<br /><strong>We pour them out to the One who redeems us.</strong><br />Sing songs of gladness to our God.<br /><strong>We join in the chorus of all who believe. </strong><br /><br />Into the swirling mist <br />of chaos and destruction, <br />you tossed the seeds of creation, <br />Persistent God: <br /> whales that power through the seas, <br /> puffins that gather on rocky islands, <br /> gases which coalesce into stars. <br />All your wonders were gifts for your children, <br /> but we chose to stew in sin's acid. <br />You longed to rescue us from death's belly, <br />sending even the most reluctant prophets <br />to proclaim the nearness of your compassion, <br /> but we refused to change our minds, <br /> sure we could bribe our way out of sin's grasp. <br />Persistent to a fault, <br />you sent Jesus to proclaim your good news. <br /><br />With the intimates who prove to be unfaithful, <br />with the interlopers who trust and believe, <br />we sing songs of joy to you:<br /><br /><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, God of steadfast love. <br />All creation waits in trust for you. <br />Hosanna in the highest! <br /><br />Blessed is the One who brings the kingdom near. <br />Hosanna in the highest! </strong><br /><br />Leaving that safe place which <br />is your holiness, Gracious God, <br />Jesus came at the time appointed by you. <br />He set aside all he possessed, <br /> so we might have the riches <br /> of your merciful heart. <br />He refused to let our fears <br />prevail against his life of grace, <br /> continuing to draw us <br /> near to your kingdom. <br />He went a little farther <br />than we dared imagine, <br /> walking for three days <br /> in death's cool shadows, <br />before coming forth into <br />the bright joy of the resurrection. <br /><br />As we would faithfully follow Jesus, <br />going a little farther with him each day, <br />we proclaim that kingdom called faith:<br /><br /><strong>Christ died, claiming the promises of hope;<br /> You raised Christ, claiming him from death;<br /> Christ will return, claiming us for you. </strong> <br /><br />Now is our time fulfilled, Blessing God, <br />as we gather at this Table, <br />the bread and the cup made sacred <br />by the presence of your Spirit. <br />We eat of the bread, <br />praying that its grace might strengthen us <br />so we would become as persistent as you <br /> in confronting injustices, <br /> challenging oppressive actions, <br /> reaching out to lift the fallen. <br />We drink from the cup, <br />trusting that its hope will spill <br />out from us upon <br /> the lonely and he lost, <br /> the hungry and the homeless, <br /> and especially on the outsiders. <br /><br />Then, when the appointed time comes <br />and you gather us with our sisters and brothers <br />around the Supper of the Lamb in glory, <br />we will sing our praises to you forever, <br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen. <br /><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br />Now, take the word of God into the world.<br /><strong>we will place hope in the arms of others.</strong><br />Now, take the word of Jesus into the world. <br /><strong>We will follow to serve beside him in all the broken places.</strong><br />Now, take the word of the Spirit into the world.<br /><strong>We will bring others near to the kingdom where all are welcome. </strong><br /><br />(c) Thom M. ShumanThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-43707732937227485152024-01-07T13:36:00.000-08:002024-01-07T13:36:05.647-08:00Liturgy w/communion for January 14, 2024 (Second Sunday after Epiphany - B)<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Texts:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51</span></p><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Worship<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the silence of a lonely night,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">in the songs children sing in the morning,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God calls to us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We are here, God who is always with us,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">listening for your words of life and love.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When we would decide to go it alone,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">when we think no good can be found anywhere,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus calls to us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We are here, Friend who knows our longings,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">ready to come and see where you would lead us.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When we think we have license to do whatever we want,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">when we are convinced we need no map,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">the Spirit calls to us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We are here, Peace we are longing for,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that we might help others find the way to life.</span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Prayer of the Day</span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When the good news<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">is hard to find, Knowing God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you swaddle us <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">in your comforting hope,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so that we may decide <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to go wherever<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you call us to serve.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When the good news<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">is seen as fake,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Brother of our journey,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you call us to speak <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">of the truth that God<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>offers grace to<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a world which has decided<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to believe in lies.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When the good news<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">seems out of fashion,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Spirit of wisdom,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you weave kindness<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">into a shawl for the lonely,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you knit comfort <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for all who grieve.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When your good news seems so rare,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">may we decide to share it more and more,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God in Community, Holy in One,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">even as we pray as we are taught,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Call to Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We are foolish enough to think you do not know our hearts, hear our words, see the mistakes we make, and the pain we cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But because you are not only holy and know, you are gracious and forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear us now, as we offer our lives and hearts to you, praying together,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we are so focused on ourselves, God of every life, it is hard to see the lives which others endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are so worried about how the economy will affect us, we do not notice those in need around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we grumble about our aches and pains, and about how difficult it is to get out of the bed each day, we easily ignore the broken.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us, God of goodness and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak to us of healing, so we might bring help to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak to us of grace, so hearing, we may share it with everyone we meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak to us of love and life, so we may offer it as freely as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, brought it to us.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence is kept<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Come and see!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God grace is poured out on everyone, God’s hope is freely shared in every moment, forgiveness is the gift which mends our foolish lives.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks be to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are surrounded by God’s love and mercy, now and to the very end!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Prayer of Dedication/Offering</span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We are hesitant to offer our gifts in this moment, Loving God, because in the back of our minds we wonder if any good will come of helping the poor, feeding the hungry, reaching out to the stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by your grace, not only goodness, but hope and healing will pour out of what we give in these moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bless our gifts, we pray in the name of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">May the God of our moments be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And also with you.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">People of God, let us offer our hearts to the One<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who is with us in this place and time.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We lift them to the One who fills us with grace.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Children of hope, join in singing praises to God.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">With hearts and voices, we lift glad thanksgivings.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">When chaos refused to listen,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">you called creation out of emptiness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God from beginning to end,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rabbits burrowed under snowy meadows,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>porpoises gliding through warm oceans,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eagles soaring in empty skies.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">These, and all your gifts, were offered<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to those created in your image<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that we could be with you in every moment,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we decided to do what pleased<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sin and death more than you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Prophets came, calling to us, hoping<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">to help us see you searching,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we thought no good <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could come from their words.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Then, you sent your heart to us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that your good news would <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">not remain hidden from us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">With little children filled with questions,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">with those worn by years of wonder and service,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we offer our thanksgivings to you:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Holy, holy, holy, are you, God of our every moment.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We join all creation in praising you.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Blessed is the One who heard you calling<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We cannot begin to comprehend<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">your holiness, God who searches,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so you revealed it in the One<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">who chose to become flesh and blood.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Deciding to go to us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">when we were avoiding you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus found us to put us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back on the path to you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Deciding to go into the silence<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">which surrounded our stubborn pride,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus calls us to follow him<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with his voice of welcome. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Deciding to challenge the power of sin<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">by dying on a barren hill,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus helps us to see <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your resurrection love<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as he was brought out <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the grave’s cold grip.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As we wonder if any good can come from following him,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">as we listen for your word in these moments,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we speak of that mystery we call faith:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Trusting you were with him at the end,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus died;<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">loving him from the beginning,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you raised Jesus to new life;<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">knowing our hopes and fears,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus will come with resurrection hope.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Before we gather, you are at the Table,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">pouring out your Spirit on the gifts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">prepared for your people.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the breaking of the bread,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">may we hear the<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cries of hungry children,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the groans of weary workers,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the whispers of lonely strangers,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so that we can say, ‘here we are,’<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as we reach out to serve.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Through the grace of the cup,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">may we listen to your heart which seeks<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>justice for the overlooked,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>peace in violent settings,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hope in despair’s shadows,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so that we may not only hear<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but act as your hands and feet,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your voice and your love.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And when all time comes to the end,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">we will find you waiting beyond,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">seating us with our sisters and brothers<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">around the wedding feast of the Lamb,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">where we will rejoice in you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God in Community, Holy in One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sending<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">God sends us out, <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that grace will not be rare in our time.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here we are, ready to go and share<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">love and mercy with those around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus calls us to go out,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that justice will not be rare in our time.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here we are, ready to speak truth to power,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">walking with those on oppression’s mean streets.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Spirit fills us with compassion,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">so that peace will not be rare in our time.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here we are, offering hope to those living in fear,<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">working for reconciliation in brokenness.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">© Thom M. Shuman<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-38532823211617021952023-12-31T13:05:00.000-08:002023-12-31T18:48:48.622-08:00Liturgy w/communion for January 7, 2024 (Baptism of the Lord - B)<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Texts: </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="font-family: arial;">Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="font-family: arial;">Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Worship<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On that first day, when time began:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you gave birth to creation;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">light danced through the darkness;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the waters of hope flowed free and clear.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On that first day at the Jordan, when redemption began:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you spoke of life for all your children,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">as your Child stepped into the waters of forgiveness,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">dancing in hope with his cousin, John.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On this first day of the week, when we begin anew:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you call us to faithfulness,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">as we open our hearts to you,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">your voice claiming us as your own.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of the Day<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Beloved's Parent:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">grace is the gift <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which flows to us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from your heart;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">joy is the seed planted<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>deep within our souls,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that it might blossom <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into lives of service to all.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And we cry: "Glory!"<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Servant of sinners:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you emerge from baptism's water,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to embrace us in your hopes;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you take our fears from us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and toss them aside<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as you lead us into your kingdom;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you shine the Light<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which brings us out <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of despair's shadows.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And we cry: "Glory!"<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Wind upon the water:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you move among us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sweeping aside our petty pride,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and offering us the gifts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of humility and servanthood.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You whisper of your yearning<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">for peace and reconciliation,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>until it silences our angry voices<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and unclenches our fisted hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And we cry: "Glory!"<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One, <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we lift our voices as your Beloved teaches,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You and I are now the ones who step forth out of the safe waters of baptism, to bring hope, to share a word of grace, to carry healing into the brokenness of the lives around us. Let us confess how we still struggle<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to follow in faith wherever Jesus leads us. Join me as we pray, saying,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Timeless God,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you cast Light into sin's dark places<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and call us your Beloved.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Forgive us:<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we still linger in the shadows;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we treat others in hurtful ways;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we speak ill of your friends.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">As he knelt in the waters of Jordan,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you proclaimed Jesus as your Child,<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">pointing to him as the way to you.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Forgive us:<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we put ourselves ahead of him;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we think he is no longer needed;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we fail to see him in the broken of our world. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baptized and blessed in your living waters,<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you would have us be your servants in our time.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Forgive us:<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we fail to welcome the stranger;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we refuse to forgive as we should;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> when we believe we are too good to kneel down<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> and tie the shoes of the lost, the least, the last, the little.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence is kept <o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Touched by the waters of life, fed at the feast of grace and hope, embraced in the warmth of God's love and hopes - this is good news!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blessed by baptism's tears, called to servanthood by the Beloved, filled with the peace of the Spirit, we are indeed God's people - redeemed, restored, refreshed to serve. Thanks be to God! Amen.</b></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of Dedication/Offertory</b><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Bathed in the waters of baptism, we are graced people. Graced people, we recognize the gifts which have been poured out upon us. Recognizing these gifts, we take them and give them back to you, God of the waters, so that others might be bathed in hope, graced with joy, gifted with your peace and love. Amen.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">May the Creator of heaven and earth be with you!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And also with you!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">People of God, lift up your hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We lift them to the One who gave his Heart to heal us.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let us give thanks to the One who made everything and called it 'good'.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How right it is to give our thanks and praise <o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to the One who calls us 'Beloved.'<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Into the shadows of silence,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you hummed the first chords of creation,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Heart of Tenderness,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your Word crafting the sun to welcome each day,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the moon and stars to guide the night.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The Spirit gathered up the dust of chaos<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and shaped it into vast universes,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>flinging them into space and time.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Floating on the warm waters of Eden,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">cradled in your love and joy,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we could have lived with you forever.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">But we made mud pies from death's dirt,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shaping our own foolish dreams,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chasing after sin, and always being caught.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Prophets came, sent from your heart<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to call us back to you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we could not hear them <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over the shouts of our desires.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So, when we had no hope,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you sent your Child, Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">the One who was willing to take on<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">anything, and everything, which kept us from you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">With those who ran to the river's side,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and those who immersed themselves in grace,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with our beloved sisters and brothers <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in every time and place, we sing of your love:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Holy, holy, holy! Creator of Light and life.<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heaven and earth sing forever of your love and joy.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blessed is the One who comes to be baptized <o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> by water and the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna in the highest! <o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Blessedness is your nature, Holy Imagination,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and your Bright Morning Star is our Savior, Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When our hearts were hardened towards you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he came to soften them with your grace.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Knowing we had lost our way,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he came to walk at our side,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>unfolding the map of the kingdom<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and pointing out the way home.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Standing with us in baptism's waters,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he journeyed alone to the cross,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>taking our place in sin's grasp,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and leading us into your heart,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">leaving death empty and alone.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On this day we remember our baptism,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we would proclaim the life which was his,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and the hope which is ours in that mystery we call faith:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bathed in your tears, Christ died for us;<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">washed in the resurrection waters, Christ rose for us;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">bringing the waters of life to us, Christ will come again.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As your Spirit changed chaos into creation,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">may these simple gifts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">of the bread and the cup<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">be transformed into <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">your life and peace for us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We come to this table,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">your baptized and beloved children,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hungry for your hope in our lives,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yearning for your peace to fill us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And when we have been fed by you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we would go forth into the world<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to bring the homeless off lonely streets,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to feed the hungry with more than clichés,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to welcome the stranger as our sister,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to embrace the outcast as our brother.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And when time has ended its journey, <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and we are gathered as your family<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">around the Table of grace,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we will join our hands and hearts together,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">singing to you through all eternity<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><strong>Sending</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Go into the world as God's beloved children.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><strong>We will go to share the gift of grace which flows from God's heart.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Go into the world as baptized sisters and brothers of Jesus.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><strong>We will go to bring the light of hope to all in despair.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Go into the world as those filled with the Holy Spirit.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><strong>We will go to hear the whispered yearnings for peace and reconciliation.</strong></span><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) Thom M. Shuma</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">n</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-77587318359502113652023-12-31T13:03:00.000-08:002023-12-31T13:03:56.449-08:00Liturgy w/communion for the Day of Epiphany <p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Texts: <span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; <span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Call to Worship</span></span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We gather wondering,<br />'Where will we find the Babe<br />born in Bethlehem?'<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We will find the Babe<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the laughter of children,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the wisdom of grandparents.</b><br />We gather asking,<br />'where will we find<br />the Child of Christmas?'<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We will find the Child<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where the needy are gifted with hope,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where the oppressed are set free.</b><br />We gather wanting to know,<br />'where will we find the Christ<br />who has come for us?'<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We will find our Hope<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where fear is overwhelmed by grace,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where hatred is overwhelmed by love,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where all people are overwhelmed by joy.</b><br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of the Day</b><br />We have heard<br />of your grace,<br />Shaper of stars;<br />from those set free<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from injustice;<br />from our children<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who whisper of your joy;<br />from greeters<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of dawn's fresh start;<br />from late risers<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who listen to the stories<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the needy.<br /><br />We have heard<br />of your Light,<br />Bright Star of the morning:<br />which can illumine<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the shadows of our lives;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">which can show<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the path to God's heart;<br />which can point the way<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to where we become<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>servants of the gospel.<br /><br />We have heard<br />of your promised peace,<br />Wisdom's Radiance:<br />that peace<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which can end war,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as well as heal our hearts;<br />that peace<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which can conquer our fears,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and flood us with faith;<br />that peace </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which can enter our lives<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and overwhelm us with hope.<br /><br />We have heard of you,<br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />and will proclaim your glory to all,<br />even as we pray, saying,<br />(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br />Call to Reconciliation</span></b><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Why do we huddle in the shadowed corners of life, rather than running to the Light of life? Why do we love the wrong we do rather than grasping the good news offered to us? As we struggle with such questions, let us speak to God of all we have failed to do, seeking hope and grace as we pray,<br /><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We search for your light, Star Caster, but too often end up settling for the dimness of temptation. Our motives for seeking to find Christ are not always pure, for we expect him to fulfill our desires, rather than your hopes for us. We want the gifts of wealth, health, success, fulfillment, rather than those of servanthood, of compassion, of peace. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></strong></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong> </span><strong>Forgive us, Shaper of our lives, that we are so foolish to put our needs ahead of your grace. Help us to be like those wise people of so long ago, who found hope, instead of a destination; who found grace, instead of gratitude; who found salvation, instead of a sign. As we journey with your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, fill us with the light of your joy and love.</strong><br /><strong></strong></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong></strong>Silence is kept</span></span></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong><br /></strong></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Assurance of Pardon<br /></strong>Up, on your feet! Grace has been poured into our hearts, love has flooded our souls, the light of hope shines in us.<br /><strong></strong></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>This is the light which has come to all, the light we will carry and give to everyone we meet. Thanks be to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</strong></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong></strong></span></span> </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong></span></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">May the gifts we offer bring food to the hungry, healing to the broken, community to the lonely, and hope to those who live in the shadows of our time. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<br /></strong>People of Advent: the Lord be with you!<br /><strong>And also with you!<br /></strong>People of Christmas, lift up your hearts.<br /><strong>We lift our hearts overwhelmed with grace<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <span face=""Arial",sans-serif">to the One who was born for us.</span></span></strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong></strong>People of the Star, offer your songs of joy and thanksgiving to God.<br /><strong>We will sing our praises to the One<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">who has revealed glory and hope in the Babe of Bethlehem.</span></span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br />In that first moment, you spoke,<br />Radiant God,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the light of creation<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dispelled the thick darkness of chaos.<br />You whispered,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and your glory filled the skies.<br />You sang,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the dust of the earth<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was shaped into your image,<br />as you breathed life into us.<br />We could have lived<br />in grace and peace with you<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for as long as the sun endures,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for as long as the moon hangs in the night sky.<br />But we were tempted<br />by the sweet taste of sin,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and overwhelmed with temptation's<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wealth of cheap gifts and thrills.<br />The prophets were sent<br />to tell of your gifts of joy and peace,<br />but we listened to the world's news<br />of success, power, achievement.<br />Finally, in that dark time of despair,<br />you sent Jesus,<br />your servant of salvation.<br /><br />Therefore, we will join our voices<br />with the wise ones, as well as the foolish,<br />of every time and place<br />who forever sing of your grace:<br /><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Holy, holy, holy, God of bright dawns!<br />All creation renders tributes of praise to you.<br />Hosanna in the highest!<br /><br />Blessed is the One who saves the lives of the needy.<br />Hosanna in the highest!<br /></b><br />Holy are you, God of redemption,<br />and blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior.<br />Overwhelmed with compassion,<br />he left the glory of heaven,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to become a prisoner of sin,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we could be set free.<br />Overwhelmed with hope,<br />he entered death's house,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to break its dark power forever.<br />Overwhelmed with love,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he travelled another road,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>walking to Calvary,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we might run with joy<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into your waiting arms.<br /><br />So, as we remember his birth,<br />as we prepare to journey with him this year,<br />we speak of that mystery called faith,<br />which is revealed to us through Christ:<br /><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christ came, the morning star of love;<br />Christ died, the night star of salvation;<br />Christ arose, the radiant star of resurrection;<br />Christ will come again, the constellation of hope.<br /></b><br />Holy One of stars and sinners,<br />send down your Spirit of hope<br />upon those gathered around this Table,<br />and on the gifts of the bread and the cup,<br />that they might make us<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />your faithful and loving children.<br />Feed us with the bread of hope,<br />so when we leave,<br />we will travel another road,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to defend the weak,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to speak for the voiceless,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to assist those cast aside.<br />Refresh us with the sweet nectar of grace,<br />so we, overwhelmed with joy,<br />would go forth<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to enter the houses<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the strangers in our midst;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to enter the despair<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the lonely and forgotten;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to enter the hearts<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of everyone we meet.<br /><br />And when eternity's time begins<br />and we are gathered around your Table,<br />with friends and family we loved,<br />with those we ignored and mistreated,<br />with all our sisters and brothers of grace,<br />we will lift our songs of glad joy to you,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span></span></span><br /><br /><strong><span>Sending</span></strong><br /><span>Now, God sends us out by a different road.</span><br /><strong><span>So we may find those who have been left by the side of the world.</span></strong><br /><span>Now, Jesus walks with us down a different road.</span><br /><strong><span>So we may serve those who are lonely and frightened.</span></strong><br /><span>Now, the Spirit illumines a different road.</span><br /><strong><span>So we may take our sisters and brothers by the hand</span></strong><br /><strong><span>to walk in wonder and grace.</span></strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) 2017 Thom M. Shuman</span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-28862545494787970992023-12-31T13:01:00.000-08:002023-12-31T13:01:50.346-08:00New Years Day liturgy Year ABC<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Texts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalm 8; </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25:31-46</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Call to Worship</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">We wake up in the morning<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and see the sunrise:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">how majestic is Your name in all the earth!</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">We are warmed by the sun;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">the rain cleanses all creation:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">how majestic is Your name in all the earth!</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">We watch the moon light up the night,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">we fall asleep to the lullabies of the stars:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">how majestic is Your name in all the earth!</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Prayer of the Day</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You call us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to be Your children;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You gift us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to serve all people;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You send us to proclaim<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Y</span>our good news to all:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Glory to You,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Creator of all that is new!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">When you are lonely,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have a chance to visit you;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">when you are hungry,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can share our food with you;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">when you are naked,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can give you<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the clothes off our backs;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">when you are sick,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can nurse you back to health:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Glory to You,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Savior of the world!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You whisper in our ears,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we may praise You;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You fill our souls,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we may serve You;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You lead us into the kingdom,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we may live with You:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Glory to You,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Spirit of Gentleness!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Glory to You,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hear us as we pray as Jesus teaches us,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><em>(The Lord's Prayer</em>)</span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span></span><br /></span><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Call to Reconciliation</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Will this year be a time of new life, new ways for us - or will we continue to live the same old way? Let us confess to our God our failures, as well as our hopes, as we begin this year.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We admit that we always find the time to fill our stomachs, God of every moment, but not our souls. We spend hours watching television, but not the wonders of Your creation. We arrange outings with our friends, yet ignore Your invitation to sit and talk. We make resolutions to change every aspect of our lives, except for that which pertains to You.</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Forgive us, God of Glory, and make us new. In the moments to come this year, remind us that if there is a time for everything, than we do have those moments for grace, for hope, for joy, for a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><em><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Silence is kept</span></em><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">It's over - last year is gone. Our words, our thoughts, our deeds are in the past. Today, we begin anew. Today, and every day, God offers us life and hope.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here, now, forever - we are forgiven and healed. This year, let us live as such people. Thanks be to God. Amen.</span></strong><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><br /></span><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Prayer of Dedication/Offering</span></strong><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">May we not keep our blessings, but give them away, so that others might learn new dance steps, so children might be fed, so bridges might be built, and so grace may flow to all in Your world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"></span><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">May the God of new beginnings be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">And also with you.</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">People of God, lift up your hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We lift them to the One who makes all things, including us, new.</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Children of God, sing praises to the One who gives you new life.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">We praise the One who continues to surprise us </span></strong><strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">with hope and grace.</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Before there was time,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Hope of Eternity,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You took a moment<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to bring creation out of chaos.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You took time to create mountains,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and carve deep canyons;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You made the time to fill the oceans<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and to plant food for all creatures;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You found the time to plow rivers<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to water a Garden,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and to shape us in Your image.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">But we did not have time for You,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>preferring to spend our days chasing sin,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and our nights seeking death.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">You always made time for us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">speaking of Your hopes<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through the prophets,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">sharing Your dreams<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through the angels.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Then, one day You decided<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">to do a new thing,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">becoming one of us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">as Jesus become human<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">to bring hope and grace to us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">So we join with the saints in heaven,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and our siblings on earth,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">who sing of Your glory:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Holy, holy, holy, God of every time and space.</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">All creation sings of Your majesty and glory.</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span></b><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Blessed is the One who gives us the water of life.</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Holy are You, Keeper of our days,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and blessed is Jesus Christ,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">who is with us in every season of life.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He comes, not to judge us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but to forgive us;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He comes, not to cast us out,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but to gather us into<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the new Jerusalem;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He comes, not to watch us suffer,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but to die on the cross,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that we might live with You.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">As we give thanks for his life,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and remember his death and resurrection,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">we would talk of that mystery which is our faith:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Christ died, so sin would have no more power over us;</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Christ was raised, destroying death's grip on us;</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">when the new heaven and new earth come,</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ will make all things, including us, new.</span></strong><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">In these sacred moments,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">send Your Spirit<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">to sanctify the bread and the cup,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and to open the hearts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">of those who approach the Table.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">As the Bread of life touches our lips,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may we be strengthened to serve<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>those whom the world has forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">As the Cup of salvation quenches our thirst for You,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may we be enabled </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">to bring relief<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to those who wander<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the desert wastes of our society.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><o:p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">And when all time ends,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and all people are gathered<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">around Your Table in Heaven,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">we will rejoice in Your presence,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">and sing your praises forever:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">One God, Father, Son, and<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Holy Spirit, now and forever. </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Amen.</span></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Sending</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Let us go from this time of silence and song, to be God's voice,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>to speak out for the oppressed of our communities and world.</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Let us go from this time of community, to be Jesus' faithful,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>to feed the hungry, to visit the sick, to be a friend to the prisoner.</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Let us go from this sacred space, to share the peace of the Spirit,</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>to work for reconciliation in our neighborhoods,</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>to put an end to violence and death as solutions for fear.</strong></span><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) Thom M. Shuman</span></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-4460093161434504212023-12-26T07:22:00.000-08:002023-12-26T07:22:40.855-08:00Liturgy w/communion for December 31, 2023 (Christmas 1- B)<p> Texts: <span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3; Psalm 148; </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40</span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Worship</b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Praise the One who spoke and made everything!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let the rivers ripple with joy;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">let the mountains stomp their feet.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Praise the One who adopts all of us as children!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let old folks tell familiar stories;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">let little children swim with dolphins.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Praise God!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We will sing of God's glory;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">we will shout our joy to the heavens.</b></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of the Day<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Creation's Father:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">of all that you created and love,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you choose us to be your children;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">of all the places<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you could love,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you make us holy<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">by your Spirit's presence;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">of all that you could offer to us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you have given us Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Destiny's Child:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you came to clothe us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in salvation's finery;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you amazed the wisest<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with your humility;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you know all the thoughts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we dare not share with anyone.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Spirit of Abba:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as we celebrate a Birth,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">be born in us each day;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as we sing God's praises,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">whisper the good news to our ears;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as we seek to be faithful to our calling,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">lead us into the kingdom waiting for us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">hear us as we pray as we have been taught,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</i>)<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is easy to become slaves to our passions, it is harder to live as God's </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">children. Let us confess the easy choices we have made, so God can </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">strengthen us to be faithful sisters and brothers of Christ. </span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abba God: we know that given the chance, we rarely praise others. We are guided more by meanness than by your gentleness. And we are seldom wise enough to listen to your voice, preferring instead the sweet, sweet songs of sin.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us, Heart of Heaven. Touch those inner places of hope and joy that they might become the gifts we can offer to those around us, as we seek to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence is kept<o:p></o:p></i></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Hear the good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the time is now; the place is here: God has redeemed us from sin; God has claimed us as the children of Hope.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Praise God, all people, for life is given to us anew; eternity is our </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks be to God. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of Dedication/Offering</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By these gifts, Gracious God, may those who have so little be clothed with your abundant grace; may the hungry be fed with food that strengthens them and hope which gives them new life; may all who are searching find that they are your beloved children. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">May the God of Christmas Joy be with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And also with you.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Children of God, lift up your hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We lift them to the One who came to us in Bethlehem.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Children of Hope, give thanks to God.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We sing our songs of joy to the One who became one of us.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How can we keep from praising you,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Glory's Father?<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You spoke,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and stars danced in the sky;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you whispered,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and snow fell gently in the night;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you sang,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and the Spirit<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">breathed life into us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Yet, we allowed ourselves<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to be guided by the Evil One,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">being led into the wilderness of sin.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">But you could not sleep,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">tossing and turning in grief.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You sent the prophets<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to adorn us with your grace,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">but we ignored them.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Finally, with time almost running out,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you sent your most precious possession,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Jesus Christ, your Beloved Son.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, with all creation echoing<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">the songs of angels,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we join in praising your name:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Holy, holy, holy are you, God who alone is exalted.<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All creation rejoices in you.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blessed is the One who would not keep silent.<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Holy are you, Mighty God,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and blessed is your Son, Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When we thought we could do no wrong,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he came to make us right;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">when the world had forgotten us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he called us by a new name;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">when the time came,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">he went to the cross,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">that sin's slaves might be set free<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and become your children.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we celebrate his Birth,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and remember his death and resurrection,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we speak of that mystery we call faith:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">By Christ, we are redeemed from sin;<o:p></o:p></b></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">by Christ, we are delivered from death;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">by Christ, we are adopted as God's children.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Guiding Spirit,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as you moved over creation,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">come to bless this bread and cup,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and your children gathering around this Table.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we eat of the Bread of angels,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">may we be nourished by your justice,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to bring hope to all people.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we are filled with the Cup of grace,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">may the seeds of righteousness<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">planted deep within us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">bloom that all creation can be made whole.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Then send us forth<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">not as slaves to sin,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">but as servants of salvation<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to those longing for new life.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Then, when the time comes,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and we are all gathered in heaven,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we will join hands and dance around your Table,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">singing our praises to<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">One God forever and ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The God of creation goes with you now.</span><br /><strong>As we go to care for all that has been given to us.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The Child of Bethlehem goes with you now.</span><br /><strong>As we seek to serve with humility and hope.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The Spirit of Abba goes with you.</span><br /><strong>As we would show others how to find the kingdom.</strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">(c) Thom M. Shuman</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-56933768216602641722023-12-14T06:33:00.000-08:002023-12-14T06:33:08.640-08:00Christmas Eve Liturgy with communion<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.75px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Texts: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20</span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Call to Worship</span></b></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">With eyes wide open</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">and our ears on edge,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>we look for shepherds</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>and listen for the songs of angels.</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the light of winter’s moon,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">with the Southern Cross lighting the way,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>we gather outside the door of a mystery,</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wondering if we dare go enter.</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">With folks and friends we love,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">with strangers we have just met,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>we gather, becoming the holy family</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>for this time and in this place.</b></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Christmas Eve Prayer</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now in the silence,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> whisper of joy which comes</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> into every life.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now in the comfort of carols,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> sing of hope which</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> takes away the despair</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> which envelops us.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now in familiar words heard anew,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> speak to us of grace</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> which is born into barren lives,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> of peace which is birthed</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> in war’s shadowed fears.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now leaning next to those</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">who have always been a part of us,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">and those from whom we have been apart,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> remind us of your heart</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> which always accepts us,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> always welcomes us.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now in the love which is ours forever,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> draw us closer to your heart,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> so we can be surprised by wonder,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> swaddled in serenity,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> embraced by tenderness.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now touch us once again with Christmas,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">God in Community, Holy in One,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">as we join in praying as we are taught,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">(<i>The Lord’s Prayer</i>)</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Call to Reconciliation</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the night we are reminded that God loves to be with us. Yet all too often – by our choices, our words, our silence – we choose not to be with Go. Join me as we pray on this holy night to the One who was born to gift us with mercy and hope.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> This was going to be the year, God of silent nights, when we were going to give away more than we spent, but we didn’t. This was going to be the season when we spent more time with others, but we filled our calendars with meetings. This was going to be the Christmas when we wrote personal letters to friends and family, but spent too much energy filling out our to-do lists. This was going to be a truly holy season, but it just got too harried and hurried.</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> Forgive us, Love Gifter, and draw us closer to the Baby born not into wealth and power, but into poverty and weakness; to the One who loves unconditionally and welcomes all; to the Child who gathers other children to him, to bless them and serve them; to the One who drew near to us, so we might be drawn to your heart – Jesus Christ, our Brother, our Lord. Amen.</b></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Silence is kept</i></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Assurance of Pardon</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Into the valleys of our death, Jesus comes with life;</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">into the shadows of our world, Jesus brings light;</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">into the brokenness of our lives, Jesus brings forgiveness and peace.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Thanks be to God for the gift of the Baby of Bethlehem, who brings joy and peace to us in these moments of forgiveness and in all the days to come. Amen.</b></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now, on this night of giftedness, remind us of those who struggle to put food on the table, to buy a single gift for their child, to wrap a warm blanket around a grandparent, so we might realize how blessed we are and share from our abundance. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">May the God of silent nights be with you!</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>May the God of herald angels be with you!</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Open your hearts to the One born in the little town of Bethlehem.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>May Emmanuel come to abide in our hearts.</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join all believers in singing of our joy this night.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>May our voices blend with those of the angels and shepherds.</b></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">You crept into chaos so long ago,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Star-shaper,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">so creation might be born:</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> sheep gathering on hillsides,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> stars glittering in the night skies,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> sea horses frolicking in warm waters.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Silently, you gathered up the dust,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">shaping us in your image</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">as the Spirit breathed life into us.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">All the gifts of your heart were for us,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> but we slammed the door of our hearts,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> saying there was no room for you in our lives.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">Prophets came time and again,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">scattering your clues throughout the Story,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> but we were too busy enjoying</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"> the sleights of hand done by sin and death.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">When you saw we could not</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">understand the Mystery on our own,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">you sent Jesus, to reveal everything to us.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">As we gather with children dressed in bathrobes,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">as we join with the voices around us,</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">we sing praises to you this Christmas night:</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>We will not be afraid,</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> for great joy is ours this night;</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>we will look for the signs of your presence,</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> grace swaddled in hope,</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> love wrapped around broken hearts. </b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Glory to you, God in the highest heavens!<br />May peace fill the lives of all your children!<br />Leaving your side, God of holiness,<br />your Child came to walk with us<br />through the cold streets of our lives.<br />Born in poverty’s shadows,<br /> he is the light which illumines<br /> your heart for us.<br />Unwrapped from glory’s embrace,<br /> he gathers us from all the corners<br /> of our confused choices to make us one with you.<br />Placed in a rude feeding trough<br />layered with our fears and doubts,<br /> he breathes in your hopes<br /> and lives your will, until<br /> he is placed in death’s cold embrace,<br /> waiting in the silence,<br /> where he breathes in resurrection’s breath,<br /> and brings forth life for all who follow.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On this night, when we sing of the baby in the manger,<br />as the shadow of the cross is cast by the stars,<br />we proclaim that mystery called incarnation:<br /><br /></span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Christ is our light,<br /> and we will join the angels in singing the good news;<br />Christ is our life,<br /> and we will join the disciples in telling the Story;<br />Christ is our promise,<br /> and we wait for the joy of his return.</b><br /><br /></span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here in the silence and the singing,<br />with children, carols, and candlelight,<br />we gather around the Table of joy,<br />as you pour out your Spirit upon<br />the most precious gifts of bread and cup.<br />As we feast upon the bread,<br />we remember a young pregnant girl,<br /> and would serve those who are expecting,<br /> those who cannot have a child,<br /> those who have lost children.<br />As we drink from the cup,<br />we think of a worried father,<br /> and would be with those who assemble toys this night,<br /> as well as those who will work this night<br /> to pay for food and medicine for their families.<br />As we are surrounded by family and friends,<br />we would care for<br /> those whose closest companion is loneliness,<br /> those separated from loved ones,<br /> those who hear no music, joy, or hope in their lives.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And when all time and history becomes silence,<br />we will be gathered with our siblings<br />from Bethlehem and Gaza, from Cairo and Kyiv,<br />from Capetown and Istanbul, from Sydney and Shanghai,<br />from every corner and moment of every universe,<br />to join the angel choirs in forever singing your praises<br />as we dance to the Table of wonder and grace,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Sending</b><br />Let us go to be the gift another needs,<br /><b>sharing God’s blessings of love and grace,<br />running to tell the Story we heard from the shepherds</b>.<br />Let us go to be the comfort which can swaddle others,<br /><b>sharing Jesus’ compassion with the poor and needy,<br />welcoming the holiness offered by the most vulnerable we meet.</b><br />Let us go to kindle the lives around us,<br /><b>sharing the Spirit’s peace with all the broken,<br />learning the language of hope from the children in our midst.</b><br /><br /></span></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;">© Thom M. Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-34324560603389806832023-12-14T06:22:00.000-08:002023-12-14T06:22:38.596-08:00Liturgy w/communion for December 24, 2023 (Advent 4 - B)<p> Texts: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38</p><strong></strong><br /><strong>Call to Worship</strong><br />O come, early morning Mist:<br />slowly moving over our lives<br />to swaddle us in your peace,<br />as we seek to walk through these moments.<br /><strong>O come, gently falling Grace:</strong><br /><strong>calming us in this season</strong><br /><strong>that has gotten so out of control</strong><br /><strong>we cannot hear the angels sing,</strong><br /><strong>or see the shepherds pointing the way.</strong><br />O come, Walker with the winds:<br />bring cooling peace<br />to our over-heated fears<br />of the future;<br />knock us off our feet<br />so we can make angels in the snow<br />with all the kids around us.<strong> </strong><br /><strong>O come, Flinger of galaxies,</strong><br /><strong>so that as we gaze on them</strong><br /><strong>in the silence of holiness,</strong><br /><strong>our path to Bethlehem,</strong><br /><strong>as well as your heart,</strong><br /><strong>might be illuminated for us</strong><br />O Come, Imagination beyond compare,<br />as you gather us up<br />with all of creation<br />to dance with joy around<br />the wonder of your love.<br /><strong>O come to us, and live with us,<br />this day and forever, Immanuel.<br />O come!</strong><br /><br /><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong><br />Wherever we have been,<br />you were with us,<br />Architect of the Universe;<br />wherever we are,<br />you are constantly at our side,<br />Shelter of our hearts;<br />wherever we are going,<br />you are there waiting for us,<br />Builder of our future.<br /><br />Above the din of violence and war,<br />you whisper to us of reconciliation:<br />Prince of Peace.<br />Into lives which are barren<br />and filled with the ashes of disappointment,<br />you come singing of newness:<br />Hope of Heaven.<br />Where the oppressed are captive to our greed<br />and the poor have nothing to eat,<br />you come to set all of us free<br />and to feed everyone at your Table,<br />Servant of the lost.<br /><br />When we are afraid of tomorrow,<br />push us into God's Advent:<br />Spirit-with-us;<br />when we believe no one loves us,<br />sing Bethlehem's lullaby to our souls;<br />when we doubt our ability<br />to be the children of God,<br />infuse us with your gifts.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />remind us that there is nothing you cannot do,<br />even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br />Advent is the time to prepare;<br />Advent is the time to watch and wait;<br />Advent is the time to open our hearts to God,<br />as we pray together saying,<br /><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br />We watch for packages to arrive<br />and Christmas cards to be delivered,<br /> but we do not keep our eyes open<br /> for your coming, Approaching God.<br />We expect our Christmas 'wish list' to be filled,<br />and for the pile under the tree to grow and grow,<br /> but we hope you do not expect<br /> to transform our lives.<br />We notice where to find the best bargains,<br />and what decorations our neighbors have put on their houses,<br /> but we do not notice<br /> the little, the least, the lost, the last<br /> walking down our streets.<br /><br />Forgive us, Saving God, for our misplace priorities.<br />May we watch for your coming,<br />may we reach out to those in need,<br />may we wait for hope to come,<br />even as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,<br />arrives to live in our hearts.</strong><br /><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />The good news is made known to all people:<br />Christ Jesus was born to save us from our sins.<br /><strong>Glory and praise to the only wise God, who fills us with healing and hope. Amen.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br />May these gifts be signs of the <strong><em>yes </em></strong>we would say to you, not only in this season, but in all the days to come. May they bring hope to those who have always had doors slammed in their faces and <strong>NO! </strong>pounded in their ears, so they will know your love and grace are gifts for them as well. In Jesus' name, Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />May salvation's Rock be with you.<br /><strong>And with you as well.</strong><br />God comes to fill our hearts in these moments.<br /><strong>We offer them, for they are empty of wonder and grace </strong><br /><strong>in this season of stress and worry.</strong><br />Rejoice in that love of God which never ends.<br /><strong>With our lips, as well as our hearts, we praise God.</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong><br />Into the repeated "no's" of chaos,<br />you whispered <strong><em>Yes, </em></strong>God of wonder,<br />creation tumbling forth for all:<br /> tall pines kissing the sky,<br /> dolphins leaping from seas,<br /> swallows nesting in barns.<br />You offered all these gifts to those<br />who were shaped in your image,<br /> but we preferred the negativity of sin,<br /> longing to be comforted by death.<br />Prophets, like Nathan and Mary,<br />came to remind us of your presence<br />in our lives, your hopes for all of us,<br /> but we continued to try to build<br /> our own ways of being, of doing.<br />So, you sent your Child to us,<br />to sing of your never-ending love for us<br />in the bleak moments of our lives.<br /><br />With all those who have said <strong><em>Yes </em></strong>to you,<br />with all who struggle to learn the word,<br />we offer our praises in this moment:<br /><br /><strong>Holy, Holy, Holy are you, God of new birth.</strong><br /><strong>All creation joins in singing your praises.</strong><br /><strong>Glory to God in the highest!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Blessed is the One who came to teach us to say, <em>Yes!</em></strong><br /><strong>Peace on earth; God's favor on all.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />When we thought your holiness kept you distant,<br />God of shepherds and angels,<br />you spoke your <strong><em>Yes </em></strong>to us in Jesus,<br />who came to be our Brother, our Savior.<br />A worker with wood,<br /> he came to help us rebuild shattered dreams;<br />a weaver of stories,<br /> he came to share your words of grace and hope;<br />a healer of wounds and worries,<br /> he came to spread the balm of love over us;<br />a heart which beat as one with yours,<br /> he came to have his stilled on the cross,<br /> his life and spirit brought to the end<br /> by the brutality of fear and death,<br /> only to show that the journey called resurrection<br /> could not be delayed, as he came out of the tomb,<br />to offer us your life.<br /><br />As we draw closer to Bethlehem,<br />as we seek to hear the angels and follow the shepherds,<br />we would tell of the revelation of your mystery in Jesus:<br /><br /><strong>Jesus was born, to live, to be, to die with us;</strong><br /><strong>Jesus was raised, so we would know that death has no power;</strong><br /><strong>Jesus will come, your final </strong><em>Yes </em><strong>to all our doubts and worries.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />As we long to say <em>Yes </em>to your great love,<br />we gather at the Table, praying your will<br />pour out your Spirit on us and the feast prepared.<br />Though broken, the bread can make us<br />strong enough to say <em>No</em><br /><em> </em>to the builders of unjust systems;<br /> to the bullies who stalk our world;<br /> to the braggarts who deceive with false words.<br />Though just a cup, your grace fills us<br />with the courage to say <em>Yes</em><br /><em> </em>to the hurting asking for medicine;<br /> to the lonely longing for a family;<br /> to the hungry who ask to be fed.<br /><br />And when your realm of grace is finally complete,<br />you will lay down your tools of reconciliation and peace,<br />gathering all from every time and place,<br />seating us around your table,<br />where we will sing <em>Gloria </em>to you forever,<br />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br />Go now, with God's love,<br /><strong>the only tool we need to bring hope to the world.</strong><br />Go now, with the grace of Jesus,<br /><strong>the only tool we need to offer love to others.</strong><br />Go now, with the peace of the Spirit,<br /><strong>the only tool we need to mend the brokenness around us.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />(c) Thom M. Shuman<br /><br /><br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-74753925175269002322023-12-11T05:27:00.000-08:002023-12-11T12:03:19.488-08:00Liturgy w/communion for December 17, 2023 (Advent 3 - B) <p><span style="font-family: arial;"> T<span face="Arial, sans-serif">exts: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Call to Worship</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />When God restores our fortune,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />our dreams will come true.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>We will sing "Glory!" to our God;</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>we will rejoice in our Savior's birth.</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Our mouths shall be filled with laughter;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />joy shall chime from our lips.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>God has made it clear:</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>those who serve are God's children</b>.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Then we will proclaim:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />'look what the Lord has done':<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>so others will know beyond any doubt</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>how the Holy One has blessed us with hope.</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />We wept - now we will cheer "Joy! Joy!"<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />We were lost - now we will run home laughing.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>For God has picked us up where we fell;</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b>God has kept the promises made so long ago.</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><b><br />Prayer of the Day </b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Lover of justice:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you flex your righteousness,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> and scatter evil to the wind;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you plant hope in our hearts<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> and reap a bumper crop;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you wipe away the tears <br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />from our eyes,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> and anoint us with joy's oil.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br />Servant of God:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you bandage our souls<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> as you take our wounds upon yourself;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you set us free from sin,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> by being bound to the cross;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you console the grieving,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> by carrying death<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> to its resting place.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br />Spirit of Passion:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />when sin strips us of life,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> clothe us in salvation's finery;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />when we are deafened<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />by the peddlers of fear,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> whisper the Good News to us;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />when we shiver in death's winter,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> wrap us in the shawl of hope.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />anoint us with your grace,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />even as we pray as Jesus teaches us, saying,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />(<i>The Lord's Prayer</i>)<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br /><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;">Call to Reconciliation</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />God's promise to us is eternal. God wishes to bless us with hope, with joy, with life. But our desires lead us to reject God and these blessings. Let us confess how too often we choose the path of tears, rather than the joy which can lead us to God's heart.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br /><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness </span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> We try not to do any evil, Anointing God, but it is so hard to let go of those little things we enjoy - gossiping about the pregnant girl in the neighborhood; making light of the accomplishments of a co-worker; daydreaming about someone else's partner.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> Forgive us, Loving God. You have freely given us salvation, yet we act as if we are the ones who paid for it. Help us to rejoice always in your grace, and to give thanks in every moment for that life we receive through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><em><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Silence is kept</span></em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> </span> <br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Assurance of Pardon</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Go, and take God's Good News to others:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> to those held captive by sin;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> to those cradling broken hearts;<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> to those grieving lost relationships.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />God forgives us all and makes us new.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Even as we rejoice in God's mercy, we will tell everyone we meet, "God has done such wondrous things for us, and wants to do the same for you!" Thanks be to God! Amen.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Prayer of Dedication/Offering</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />May the gifts we offer in these moments be light for those in the shadows of society, be food for those who hunger, refreshment for those parched by life, and hope for all who cry out to you, O God. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />May the God of peace be with you.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">And also with you.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />May the Prince of peace fill your hearts.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">We open them to the healing and hope offered in these moments.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />May the Spirit of peace teach you new songs of joy.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">We will learn them, so we can sing without ceasing.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Creation took place in chaos,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Gardener of glory,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />as you spoke of life and beauty<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />and your Spirit anointed with<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> food enough to feed the hungry,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> stars scattered over desert skies,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> seeds of hope growing into forests of justice.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />You offered all these gifts <br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />to those created in your image,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />inviting us to live with you,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> but we only gave answers<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> to the foolish questions of sin and death.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Time and again, you sent prophets,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />women and men anointed by the Spirit,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> yet we despised their words,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> believing their voices to be hollow.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Then, so your mercy might stretch<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />from age to every age,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />you sent Jesus into our midst,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />the sign of your grace which never ends.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />As we gather for your feast this day,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />as we would be bathed in joy's oil,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />praises tumble out from our hearts:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Holy, holy, holy are you, God of the everlasting covenant.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">All creation sings gladness to you.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Glory to God in the highest!</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Blessed is the Lover of justice who comes to us.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Your holiness took place in humanity,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />God who sees us for who we are,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />as your Child was born into poverty.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Your word of love,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> he came to speak hope to the oppressed,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> not tell them to wait patiently.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Your anointing oil of life,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> he came to heal our wounds,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> not to pick at the scabs.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Your incomparable compassion,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> he came to wipe our tears,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> not to make us grieve.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Your repairer of our brokenness,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> he came to knock down<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> the walls of death,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />rebuilding them into the bridge<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />we cross to resurrection love.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />As we draw closer to the celebration of his birth,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />as we long to follow Jesus beyond Bethlehem,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />we proclaim that mystery we call faith:<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Christ died, to scatter the arrogance of death;</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Christ was raised, picking up resurrection and</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> carrying it into the new dawn;</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Christ will return, as your love stretches</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> to the end of time.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />Life takes place here and now,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />as you pour out your Spirit<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />upon those gathered around the Table,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />and on the gifts prepared for the meal.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />The bread which is broken,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />not only feeds us, but gives us the compassion<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />to hear the voices of those crying<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> in the wilderness of want,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> in the deserts of despair,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> in the forests of fear,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> in the hollowness of hate.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />The cup of grace touches us <br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />so we will not douse the Spirit, but be<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> voices of justice,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> repairers of poverty's potholes,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> lock-pickers of addiction's cells,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> weavers of garments of kindness.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />And when you gather us with our sisters<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />and brothers at the end of time,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />we will be fed by your gifts<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />as we rejoice without ceasing,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />praising you forever and ever,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Sending</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />The God who makes everything whole,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">sends us forth to bring healing to the broken-hearted</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">and to comfort the mourners in our midst.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />The Christ who comes to be with us,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">sends us forth to stand with the oppressed,</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">to release those held captive by sin,</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">to invite the lonely into our lives.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />The Spirit who calls you to faithfulness,<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">sends us forth to proclaim the gospel</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">that today is God's moment,</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">the day when all people will be blessed.</span></strong><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />(c) Thom M. Shuman<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" /> </span></p>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-78645345685620970302023-12-03T12:56:00.000-08:002023-12-03T12:56:23.698-08:00Liturgy w/communion for December 10, 2023 (Advent 2 - B)<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Texts: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Call to Worship</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Listen to what the Lord our God says to us:<br /><strong>Peace is God's hope for us;<br />salvation is God's gift to us.</strong><br />See what the Lord our God reveals to us:<br /><strong>righteousness is the path to the kingdom;<br />faithfulness is the highway we build.</strong><br />Tell what the Lord our God asks us to speak:<br /><strong>prepare God's way;<br />the Christ is coming to redeem us.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong><br />Comfort of the ages,<br />you come:<br />so you can fill our empty places<br />with your hope;<br />so you can level our pride<br />with your call to servant the vulnerable;<br />so you can smooth our toughened hearts<br />with your tenderness.<br /><br />Herald of Good News:<br />when we hunger for exaltation,<br />you feed us with humility;<br />when we trip over sin,<br />you gather us up in love;<br />when we become satisfied with our faith,<br />you shake us with your Messenger.<br /><br />Spirit of Advent:<br />in this hectic season,<br />give us the gift of patience;<br />when we overflow with stress,<br />soothe us with your serenity;<br />when we are overwhelmed <br />with the desire for more and more,<br />speak to us of the needs of the outsiders.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />surround us with your presence,<br />and fill us with your love,<br />as we lift the prayer taught to us by Jesus, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong><br />God comes! Let us prepare the way.<br />God comes to forgive us! Let us prepare<br />our hearts as we confess our sins, saying,<br /><br /><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness<br /> We confess that whatever our fine might have been that it has been paid, God<br />of Comfort, yet we still insist on earning our way into your heart. We confess that you are beyond patient with us, but wish you would act quickly against those who hurt us. We confess that while your word will stand forever, it is our words of pain and anger that cause long term harm to others.<br /> Your Messenger has come, Approaching God, crying out of your forgiveness and hope. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, you speak to us: not of punishment, but of peace; not of judgment, but of justice; not of a sentence, but salvation. And we offer our hearts in thanksgiving and hope. Amen.</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong><br /></strong><br /><em>Silence is kept</em> <br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong><br />Hear the Good News God speaks to you:<br /> I love you;<br /> I forgive you;<br /> I restore you to new life.<br /><strong>We will not ignore the fact that God comes: not to condemn, but to comfort us; not to<br />scold, but to speak tenderly to us of hope, of love, of joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.</strong></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong></strong></span><br /><strong><span>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</span></strong><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We pray, Holy God, that our gifts might smooth the path of those who walk in grief, might surround the grieving with comfort, might feed the hungry, and bring others into places of peace and safety. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />(preceded by singing verses 1 & 2 of <em>In the Bleak Midwinter)</em><br /><br />May God be with you.<br /><strong>and may God be with you.</strong><br />People of God, open your hearts.<br /><strong>We open our hearts to the One who comes to us.</strong><br />People of God, give thanks to the Living God.<br /><strong>We praise the One who offers comfort and peace to us.</strong><br /><br />Acclamation, thanksgiving, songs of joy<br />are the gifts we offer to you,<br />God of all the ages.<br />You uttered the Word<br />and mountains burst forth;<br />your Breath blew upon the waters,<br />and stirred life into being;<br />you reached down and shaped us<br />in your own image,<br />from the dusty paths you trod.<br /> In our impatience,<br /> we refused to wait for your glory,<br /> and rushed into sin's sweet embrace.<br />Yet you were willing<br />to outwit our foolish wisdom,<br />and outwait our childish tantrums,<br />sending the prophets to cry out<br />of your desire for us to return to you.</span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> But we continued to reject </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> their inviting words of comfort.<br />Finally, when we continued to cling<br />to death's strong hand,<br />you clothed your Word with human flesh,<br />that we might meet you face to face.<br /><br />So with those who have waited for you<br />in every time and place,<br />with those who seek to live faithfully<br />for you in these days, <br />we life our songs of hope to you:<br /><br />(verse 3 of "In the Bleak Midwinter") </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong><em>Angels and archangels may have gathered there,<br />Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air;<br />But his mother only, In her maiden bliss,<br />Worshiped the Beloved With a kiss.</em></strong><br /><br />All holiness is yours, Righteous God,<br />and blessed is your Word for whom we wait,<br />Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace.<br />When we had lost our way,<br />he came to straighten out the path to you.<br />When we wept at our being lost,<br />he came to comfort us.<br />When we had fallen hopelessly<br />at the feet of death,<br />he gathered us up in his arms<br />to carry us home to you.<br /><br />As we come to this Table,<br />we remember the mystery of the One<br />who died that we might live forever:<br /><br />(verse 4 of "In the Bleak Midwinter")<br /><strong><em>What can I give Him, Poor as I am?<br />If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;<br />If I were a wise man, I would do my part;<br />Yet what I can I give Him: Give my heart.</em></strong><br /><br />As your Spirit moves upon the gifts<br />of the bread and the cup,<br />may she touch us with<br />unexpected hope and the power of patience.<br />As we wait for Christ's return,<br />we would fill the empty dreams of the world<br />with your vision of peace and wholeness;<br />we would feed the lost<br />with the bread of hope;<br />we would gently lead the exiled<br />back to your Kingdom.<br /><br />Then, when the end of time comes,<br />and our waiting is over,<br />we will gather around your Table<br />in the new heaven and new earth,<br />where righteousness is our friend<br />and justice lives next door,<br />and you are our God forever and ever,<br />Creator of goodness,<br />Friend of the lost,<br />Spirit of joy.<br />Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br />As you were present with us through your Word, O God:<br /><strong>May we be present to others who will come to us this week.</strong><br />As you fed us with peace, Bread of Life:<br /><strong>May we grace others with your peace in the coming days.</strong><br />As you welcomed us to your Table, Spirit of hope:<br /><strong>May we welcome those you send us who have no hope.</strong></span><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) Thom M. Shuman</span></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-4177416607013986402023-11-26T09:51:00.000-08:002023-11-26T09:51:19.536-08:00Liturgy w/communion for December 3, 2023 (Advent 1 - B)<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Texts: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Call to Worship</strong></span><br /><span>Now, in this holy season of Advent, we wait.</span><br /><strong><span>For the faithful God is coming to us.</span></strong><br /><span>Now, in this season of waiting, we listen.</span><br /><strong><span>For the faithful Word speaks of good news to us.</span></strong><br /><span>Now, in the waiting and listening, we watch.</span><br /><strong><span>For the faithful Spirit is moving among us.</span></strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span></span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You could feed us bitterness,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Approaching God,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">but you choose to serve us</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with the Bread of heaven;<br />you could hand us hot cup of your tears,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">but you touch</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">the Cup of hope to our lips.<br /><br />All the stars fall down<br />to shine the way for you,<br />Babe of Bethlehem,<br />as the powers of the world<br />tremble at your approach.<br />You tear open<br />our hardened hearts<br />so you can come in<br />and live with us forever.<br /><br />Advent's Spirit:<br />you unclog our ears<br />so we can hear<br />the songs of the angels;<br />you wipe the grit<br />from our eyes<br />so we can see<br />the One who is coming to us.<br /><br />God in Community, Holy in One,<br />help us to wait patiently, and hopefully,<br />as we lift the prayer taught to us by Jesus, saying,<br />(<em>the Lord's </em>Prayer)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Advent is the season<br /> of preparing,<br /> of waiting,<br /> of hoping</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">so let us confess to the One who comes, our impatient, toe-tapping, instant-gratification-filled lives, as we pray, saying<br /><br /><strong>Responsive Prayer for Forgiveness</strong></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God who is drawing near to us:<br />we live in a world of violence,<br />which we do not condemn enough:<br /><strong> Come to us, with your peace.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We are filled with the best of intentions,<br />but are unable to follow through with action:<br /><strong> Come to us, with your will.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We are sinners, who are afraid<br />to gaze into your mirror of grace:<br /><strong> Come to us, with your mercy.</strong></span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Word of Flesh:<br /><strong> have mercy;</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Friend of the poor:<br /><strong> have mercy;</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Bridegroom of the faithful:<br /><strong> have mercy.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong><br /></strong><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy, new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God.<br /><strong>Thanks be to the God of Advent, who came in the Child, who is with us in the Spirit, who will come again in glory! Amen.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br />God-who-gifts-us, you do so, not so we might have more, but we might care for those who have so little; not so we might splurge, but we might share. In the waiting of Advent, may we see the wanting, and use our resources to fill their lives with hope, grace, and joy. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.<br /><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br />Now, in this holy season of Advent, God comes to be with you.<br /><strong>God comes to be with you as well.</strong><br />As we begin our journey to Bethlehem, let us open our hearts to God.<br /><strong>For God will fill them with strength and courage for the journey.</strong><br />Let us join our voices in singing praise to God.<br /><strong>We will lift glad songs of joy to the One who is coming to us.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />When you were tired of waiting,<br />God-of-the-first-moment,<br />you tore open chaos,<br />so creation might flow unimpeded:<br /> puppies quivering in falling snow,<br /> ice for skating forming on ponds,<br /> giraffes stretching their necks for snacks.<br />All these fresh and glorious wonders<br />were crafted for those in your image,<br />so we might live in your joy forever,<br /> but we chose to be doorkeepers</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> for sin, waiting for death to appear.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Prophets came, so we might hear you</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and see you at work in our midst,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> yet, we turned a deaf ear to them,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> refusing to notice you.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So you came down to us</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in Jesus, your Child of life,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">simply to save us.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">With those who try never to turn away,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and those who call on your name,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we sing your praises this day:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Holy, holy, holy are you, God who comes to us.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>All creation gives thanks to you, always.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Glory to you in the highest!</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Blessed is the One who gathers us to you.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Glory to you in the highest!</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In your holiness, you could have stood apart from us,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God of compassion and hope,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">but in your love, you came to us</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to be one of us in Jesus.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When we struggle in despair's poverty,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> he enriches us with your grace.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When we are weakened by fear,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> he strengthens us with your hope.<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When we think our lives are empty,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> he fills us with everything we need.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When death thought it</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">had lulled him to sleep,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> he kept alert, waiting</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> for your resurrection love</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> to gather him up</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> and bring him to new life.</span><br /><br /><span>With those who are always alert,</span><br /><span>and with those who are drowsy from waiting,</span><br /><span>we proclaim that mystery which is our faith:</span><br /><span></span><br /><strong><span>Christ died, giving his life as he called to you;</span></strong><br /><strong><span>Christ was raised, resurrection love shining the way;</span></strong><br /><strong><span>Christ will come, to gather us from every time and place.</span></strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>Remembering that we are all your people,</span><br /><span>you pour out your Spirit upon us</span><br /><span>and the gifts prepared for this Feast.</span><br /><span>You came to earth in Jesus</span><br /><span>and now we find you in the broken bread</span><br /><span>which gives us the strength</span><br /><span> to be your hope to those in sadness,</span><br /><span> to be your light to those in shadows,</span><br /><span> to be your justice to the oppressed.</span><br /><span>Your life was poured out for us in Jesus,</span><br /><span>and now we find your grace in the cup</span><br /><span>which gives us the spirit</span><br /><span> to be your healing to the broken,</span><br /><span> to be your family to the lonely,</span><br /><span> to be your love to those who are ignored.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>And when all time is ended,</span><br /><span>gather us with our sisters and brothers</span><br /><span>from every time and every place</span><br /><span>around the table you have prepared for us,</span><br /><span>as we sing our joyful praises to you,</span><br /><span>God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Sending</strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We do not know when Christ will return,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>so we will wait, and in the waiting</strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>we will share hope with everyone around us.</strong><br />We do not know what the coming days will bring,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>but we will be alert,</strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>noticing all those who need the help we can provide.</strong><br />We do not know the opportunities we will be given,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>but we will keep our eyes open,</strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>so we can welcome e</strong><strong>ach person<br />as if they are the Christ.</strong></span></span></span></span><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) Thom M. Shuman</span></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-35740462892630764602023-11-16T08:44:00.000-08:002023-11-16T08:45:44.333-08:00Liturgy w/communion for November 26, 2023 (Christ the King/Reign of Christ - A)<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Texts: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Call to Worship</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Our lives scattered on the floor of the world,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">our limits pushed by stress and its best friend, impatience,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we come:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>For here, God would gather us,</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>bringing us to the realm of peace.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Wondering if truth is fake or worth pursuing,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">questioning whether anyone is worth following or believing,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we come:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>For here, God would feed us with wisdom,</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>sending the One who would lead us to the realm of hope.</strong><br />Questioning the motives of everyone in power,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">doubting that justice can be found anywhere,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we come:</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>For here, God brings us to worship with our siblings,</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>scooping us up from every place we have strayed.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Prayer of the Day</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We are lost and wonder</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">if anyone cares, and you come,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Master of the Universe,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to bring us home to you.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Our thoughts chase themselves</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">around and around our minds,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and you weave them together</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">into words of hope for the lonely.</span><br /><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Too often, we find ourselves</span><br /><span>parched in the deserts of temptation,</span><br /><span>feasting on those scraps</span><br /><span>found on worry's table,</span><br /><span>and wonder why we still</span><br /><span>hunger and thirst.</span><br /><span>So you come to find us,</span><br /><span>hope's Word-carrier,</span><br /><span>so we might be filled</span><br /><span>with grace and life.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />You take our brokenness,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Spirit of our hearts,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and make us whole.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You scatter our anger and fears,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">so we might be gathered</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">into communities of love.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You set our feet back</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">on those paths of grace</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">which will lead us back to you.<br /><br />You rescue us from every place we have gone,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One,</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and so we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,<br />(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)<br /><br /><strong>Call to Reconciliation</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So accustomed to the world's shadows, we do not think of ourselves as being lost. We are so confident of where we are going, we never ask for directions. But as we confess the lives we truly lead, we discover how scattered we are. So, let us pray together, as we discover the One who has been searching for us.<br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</strong><br /> <strong>Gathering God, this week, we threw an extra can of (on sale) veggies in our overflowing grocery carts; we donated that old coat we haven't worn in a couple of years to the thrift store; we re-gifted a bouquet to a neighbor in the hospital. Did you notice? Or were you too busy cleaning the guest room for the immigrant couple; buying hats and gloves for all the kids in the school near your home; sitting by the bed of a hospice patient after the family left for the night.</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong> We spend so much time patting ourselves on the back, that we do not notice how you are constantly searching the ends of the earth for all your children, Merciful God, even going into the very grip of death to bring us all new life. Give us the faith to live as your people, and the wisdom to let go of all that you have poured into our lives, even as did Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.</strong><br /> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><em>Silence is kept</em><br /><br /><strong>Assurance of Pardon</strong></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God feeds the hungry and gives hope to the parched.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>That's us.</strong></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God brings healing to the sick and visits those imprisoned.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>That's us.</strong></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God wraps warmth around the shivering, and knits a sweater for the naked.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>That's us.</strong></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God loves every person, forgives every person, cares for every person.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>That's us. Thanks be to God. Amen.</strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><strong></strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><strong>Prayer of Dedication and Offering</strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We may not be hungry, but there are those who are.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We may not be parched from thirst, but there are those who do.</span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We may not worry about health care, or have someone in prison, or have to wear clothes tossed aside by others, but many of our siblings find themselves in such lives. But we have been blessed by you. So may these gifts we offer be used to everyone might know that your community of compassion, of hope, of grace, of life is for everyone. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.</span></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">May the God of all hope be with you.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">And also with you.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Let us lift our hearts to our God.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">The eyes of our hearts look to the One who is our God.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Let us worship our God with glad songs of praise.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">We come into God's presence with thanksgiving.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">You gathered up the scattered</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">fragments of chaos, God of wonder,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">shaping them into the wonders</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we call the gifts and beauty of creation:</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> thunderstorms moving over meadows,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> snow swirling softly in the evenings,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> deer standing in the silence of forests.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">All these things and so much more</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">you offered to those created in your image,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but the eyes of our hearts looked</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> at the seductions of sin and death,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> finding them more desirable then you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Prophets came as seekers of the lost,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">hoping to bring us our of our foolishness,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> yet we continued to ignore them</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> as we did those we could have served</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> with your gifts of healing and hope.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">That is when you chose to become one of us,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">your heart beating with ours,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">your love seeking to save us.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">So with those who have reached out to the needy,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">and those who somehow never notice them,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we offer our songs of praise to you:</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Holy, holy, holy are you, God of every heart.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">All creation joins in offering thanks to you.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Blessed is the One who comes to reveal your realm.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Your holiness is revealed</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">in your steadfast love, Searching God,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">and your heart in Jesus, our Lord, our brother.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">When we would heap temptation's</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">empty calories on our plates,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> he feeds us on hope;</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">when we would drink from</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">the fountains of grudges,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> he pours us a cup of grace;</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">when we find every door</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">slammed shut in our face,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> he invites us into your heart;</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">when we are struggling with</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">the burdens and bills of illness,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> he touches us with healing care;</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">when we are faced with eternity</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">in the dank cells of death,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> he took the doors</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> off the hinges, so we</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> could walk into your</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> resurrection love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">As we remember his stories of your realm,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">as we seek to care for him in our siblings,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we seek to live that mystery we call faith:</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus died, so we might know your justice;</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus was raised, so we might know your love;</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus will come, so we will be gathered to you at last.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">You have searched for us, Steadfast Love,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">and gathered us in the sacred space,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">where your Spirit is poured out</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">upon the gifts of the bread and cup,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">and on your children gathered</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">from every place where we strayed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">You feed us on the broken bread so,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">that strengthened we would go</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to care for the hungry and needy,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to welcome the stranger and straggler,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to bring healing to the hurting.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">You offer the cup of grace so,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">nourished with your love, we would go</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to offer the parched your living waters,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to visit those held captive by fear,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to offer a warm heart to the lonely.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">And when the moment at the end of time comes,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">as you gather the forgotten and the fragile,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">the strangers who in reality are family,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we will join hands and hearts singing our praises,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Sending</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Now, from where God has gathered us, let us go.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">To discover that the stranger and homeless,</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">the prisoner and the hospice patient and </span></strong><div><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">everyone else </span></strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>are our siblings in life and faith.</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial";">Now, from where we have been fed, let us go.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">To join Jesus in serving those who thirst for righteousness</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">as well as those who hunger for justice.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Now, from where we have been one, let us go.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">To find those who have been tossed aside,</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">gathering them up to bring them</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">to the Spirit's goodness and peace.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">(c) Thom M. Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-49743307671386880832023-11-12T11:00:00.000-08:002023-11-12T11:00:19.087-08:00Liturgy w/communion for November 19, 2023 (Pentecost 25/Trinity 24/Proper 28/Ordinary 33 - A)<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Texts: Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Worship<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">This is the Lord's Day, the day of wonder and grace.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">This is the day to worship the One who calls us here.</span></b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">This is the Lord's Day, the day we are given joy and peace.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This is the day promised to us, the day of healing and renewal.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">This is the Lord's Day, and it has come just in time!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This is the day we gather with hope, with faith, with love!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of the Day<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Now,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in the silence,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">when we struggle<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to control our lives,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may we, once again,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>empty ourselves of our pride and fears,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to be filled with your hope.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Now,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in these moments,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">when we cannot let go<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">of our worries and doubts,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may we, once again,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>open our hands to hold your faith.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Now,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">on this day<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">which is only and always<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">your gift to us,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may we, once again,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>live into your kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Now, as we lift our hearts to you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we once again pray as we have been taught saying,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><strong> </strong>(<em>The Lord's Prayer)</em></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><em><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></em></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call to Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When we remember all the mistakes we have made, all the careless words we have spoken, all the contempt we have given to those around us, we have trouble looking God in the eye. But God gazes at us with mercy and love, waiting to forgive us, even as we hesitate to speak of the brokenness of our hearts. Join me as we pray, saying,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</b><br /></span><div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we must confess, Master of the Universe, our struggles to be faithful disciples. Entrusted </span></b><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">with all your gifts, we become fearful once again of misusing them, missing the chance to be a blessing to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invited to dance in the light of your love, we stand against the wall once again, keeping company with our old friend, sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Called to be emptied for those who struggle in life, </span></b><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">we fill ourselves once again, with scorn for the poor choices they make.</span></b></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Have mercy, Journeying God, have mercy on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, open our eyes to your kingdom in our midst, so we might discover that your day of hope and grace has already come in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Silence is kept<o:p></o:p></i><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assurance of Pardon<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">This is the good news: God intends for us to find life, to embrace hope, to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Servant.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The end of our journey is not rejection and emptiness, but the fullness of grace and hope in our God. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer of Dedication/Offering</b><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Now, in these moments of gratitude, we would offer you a portion of all which you have given to us, Gracious God. We do so, trusting that you will take them, multiplying them in your kingdom, so all might be blessed by your love, your peace, and your hope. Amen.</span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></b><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great Prayer of Thanksgiving<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">May the God of promises be with you!<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">And also with you!</span></b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Rejoice in the One who surprises us, people of God.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">We lift our hearts to God who brings us salvation.</span></b><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Children of God, join in glad song to the Giver of mercy.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Our voices join in praise to the God of love and hope.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">When you had<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">had enough of chaos,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Covenant God,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">you cried out in love<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and creation burst forth in joy.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You shaped us into images of you,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">that we might be children of light,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we were drawn into<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the shadowy life of sin and death.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You sent people like Deborah<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to call us back into your light,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we were scornful of their words.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Then you sent Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">who came to fill us<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with your love and hope.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So, with servants and sinners,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with judges and those who endure injustice,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we lift our voices, our hearts, our eyes<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">singing to the One enthroned on our hopes:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Holy, holy, holy are you, God enthroned in the heavens.<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All creation looks to the hand of the Creator.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blessed is the One who walked the dusty paths of earth.<o:p></o:p></b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna in the highest!<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"">Holy are you, God of Wonder,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And blessed is Jesus Christ, our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When the proud hurled<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">their contempt at him,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he humbly knelt to serve them.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When friends urged him<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to play it safe,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he crawled out onto faith's limb,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trusting it would hold him.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When death wrapped him<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in its cold shadows,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he burst forth into the light<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of resurrection joy,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">that we might live<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">in the kingdom with you.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As we remember his mercy and hope,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as we celebrate the feast he has prepared,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we speak of that mystery we call faith:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christ died on that day of shadowed hearts;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christ was raised on that day when death was surprised by love;<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christ will come to us on that day of light and love.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Your grace showers down<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">upon the seeds you have planted,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">your hope warms the harvest<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">planted in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As the Spirit gathers your gifts<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and prepares them for your Table,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">make us ready to receive them<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">with joy and gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As you send us forth<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">to serve your people,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may our faith and love<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be transformed into winter coats,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can give to the homeless;<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may our hope become<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the meals we fix for the hungry.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And when that long-awaited Day comes,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">when all times and seasons have ended,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">we will gather at your Feast,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">joining our voices with our siblings,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">as we sing to you through all eternity,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><strong>Sending</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let us go forth to be God's faithful servants.</span><br /><strong>We will not hide our gifts but share them with everyone we meet.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let us go forth to be the followers of Jesus.</span><br /><strong>We will not hold back our compassion, but will offer it to all.</strong><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let us go forth to be the Spirit's hope and peace.</span><br /><strong>We will be the grace, the joy, the wonder others need in their lives.</strong><br /><strong><span></span></strong><br /><span>(c) Thom M. Shuman</span></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15228896.post-72210385200320603532023-11-12T10:58:00.000-08:002023-11-12T10:58:03.600-08:00Alternate texts liturgy w/communion for November 19, 2023 (Pentecost 25/Trinity 24/Proper 28/Ordinary 33 - A)<p> Texts: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30</p><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Call to Worship</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before there was any time,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">there was God.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">When we wandered the wilderness,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">God built a way for us.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">When we lived in exile,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">our homes were built by God.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">When we are overwhelmed life,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">God unknots the tightness in our shoulders.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">When we seek to serve faithfully,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">God provides the opportunities.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">When tomorrow comes,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">we find God awake and waiting for us.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">When time ends,</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">there will still be God.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Prayer of the Day</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Conqueror of Chaos,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">you reached down</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">gathering up the dust,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">filling it with your breath,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">and giving us life.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">We gather in worship</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">so we might continue</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">to be shaped by your love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">You walked the paths</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">of this dusty earth,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jesus our servant,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">lifting us up when we had fallen,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">feeding us when we were famished,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">healing us when we were broken, and</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">saving us when we were sinners.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spirit of Hope,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">you laugh,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">and leaves dance down the streets;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">you whisper,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">and children sleep in peace;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">you clap your hands,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">and our souls leap with joy.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">God in Community, Holy in One,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">we lift our prayers to you,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">using the words Jesus teaches,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">(<em>The Lord's Prayer</em>)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Call to Reconciliation</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">God created us for goodness, and we make foolish choices. God, who walked this earth, knows our temptations. God, whose hope is for wholeness, waits to forgive us. Let us come to our God, as we confess our lives together, saying,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Unison Prayer for Forgiveness</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> God of promises, you offer us guidance, yet we grasp the hand of the world on our journey. You would nurture us with love and grace, and we feast on the empty calories of success and seduction. You call us to be your faithful people, and we are eager to follow the politicians, the promoters, the petty.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Forgive us, Covenant God. You have not forgotten your promises, nor will you break them. Rather, you come to us so we will know your love. You walk with us, so we will find the way. You redeem us, so we will trust your words which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong><br /><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Silence is kept</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Assurance of Pardon</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">In every time, in every place, in every life, God shows compassion and mercy. Thus, we know God has heard our prayers and has filled us with grace and hope.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">In this time, in this place, in our lives, our grace and hope are sustained by this abiding love. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.</span></strong><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><strong>Prayer of Dedication/Offering</strong><br /><span>May we not hide our gifts, Loving God, but offer them to you with trust and hope, so all may join us on the journey to your kingdom of grace and hope, peace and healing. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.</span><br /><strong><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></strong><br /><strong>Great Prayer of Thanksgiving</strong><br /><span>May the God of every moment be with you.</span></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">And also with you.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Let us lift our hearts to God.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">We offer them to the One who comes to us.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Join in singing glad thanksgivings to our God.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">We will rejoice in praising our God forever and ever.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Like a thief, creation snuck into</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">the silence of chaos, Loving God,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> light illuminating shadows,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> water pouring into rivers,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> winds drifting across plains.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">These days, and all days,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">were for those shaped in your image,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but we thought you were up to no good,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> and rushed into the harms of sin.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Hastening fast too draw near,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">prophets came to call us back to you,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but we swept your dreams away,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> preferring the dusty yarns of death.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">So you sent your wise Heart</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">to gather your children</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">into the light of your love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">With those who are always awake,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">and with all who can't keep their eyes open,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we lift our glad songs to you:</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Holy, holy, holy are you, Imagination unplugged.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">From everlasting you are God.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Blessed is the Word who came to us.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Hosanna in the highest!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">You crept in on the night</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we least expected, Mothering God,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">placing your heart in poverty's arms</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">so we might receive the riches of your grace.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus came, not to discourage us,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but to inspire our lives.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus came, not to confuse us,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but to clarify your hopes for us.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus came, not to frustrate us,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but to spur us to service.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Jesus came, not to abandon us,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but to enter the loneliness of death,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> bringing forth resurrection's hope</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> as he broke free of the tomb.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">As we would seek to remain awake,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">as we long to live with Jesus,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we tell of that faith which is such a mystery:</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Christ died, going on the journey to the grave.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Christ was raised, so we might journey in hope.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Christ will come, as our journey ends in life with you.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">You come into the dark nights of our souls,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">bringing the gifts of the bread and the cup,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">pouring your Spirit on them</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">and on those gathered for the banquet.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Fed on the broken bread,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we will not hide its hope,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but share it with all</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> who live in the shadows</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> of injustice and fear.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">Drinking from the cup of salvation,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we will not bury its grace,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> but pour it into the emptiness</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"> of those who struggle around us.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">And when your day of new life comes,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">we will join our siblings </span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">around the table of the Lamb,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">forever singing our praises to you,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";">God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Sending</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Go with God into the world.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">We will journey with our friends and neighbors,</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">with our families and strangers.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Go with Jesus to serve faithfully.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">We will seek to confront injustice;</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">we will bring healing to those who are broken.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Go with the Spirit to share peace.</span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">We will embrace those forgotten by the world;</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">we will share our gifts with everyone we meet.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">(c) Thom M. Shuman</span><br /><br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com