Friday, November 21, 2008

For November 30, 2008 -- Be Not Afraid, a New World is Coming -- 1st of Advent

CALL TO WORSHIP
A new year begins! New hope and promise fills the air!
We come to worship the One who makes all things new.
In the midst of the world’s trials and tribulations,
we come to be with the One who brings a new heaven and earth into being.
The Creating One, the One who births hope, calls us together.
Let us worship in song and story, food and fellowship.

OPENING PRAYER
God, the world around us is so troubled,
and sometimes we find ourselves afraid of what may happen.
As we gather here together move among us,
remind us of the promise of a new world where peace and justice will reign.
And in this time together,
help us to let go of our fear. Help us look forward to the time that is to come. We pray in the name of Jesus, whose birth we await. Amen.

Offering Prayer
Creating and re-creating God, with bated breath we await the birth that has been promised. As we wait we share the gifts we have been given, trusting that they will be tools for the re-building of the world. Amen.

COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
We go from this place into a world preparing for a great celebration.
We go to prepare not just for the party but for God to break into our lives anew.
As we prepare for the birth of hope, as we prepare for a new world,
and we carry the promise to the troubled world around us.
As you go out to share God’s promise, go out knowing that God who Created and re-creates, Christ who redeems, and the Spirit which sustains goes with you always. Amen.

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