For March 4, 2012 -- Lent 2B

CALL TO WORSHIP (uses words from Worship Alive by Nancy Chegus)
We come with different needs, different likes, different goals
Sometimes we get what we need, sometimes our neighbour does.
But together we worship, together we lift each other up
Together we make Worship alive for the Spirit is here
We have come to be renewed, so that our worship feeds our work
Hallelujah, sing praises to the Living God
For the Spirit is me and the Spirit is you,
here among us God's Purpose will live through our lives

OPENING PRAYER
God whose presence fills us with awe, God who calls us to dance and praise,
we come once again to worship.
May this time together be a time that refreshes our spirits.
May it be a time when we are re-awakened to Your possibilities.
May our worship lead us to action as we walk with you on the road of life. Amen.

COMMISSIONING (uses words from Worship Alive by Nancy Chegus)
We have gathered, we have prayed, we have sung, we have listened.
We have made space in our lives for God, we have opened ourselves to God's Word.
Our time of worship refreshes us so that our work is fed.
We came here affirming a purpose for life. By working together God's love will flow from me on to you and then on it goes.
The Spirit is me and the Spirit is you
Hallelujah sing praises to the Living God
Go with God, who is with us in our worship and our work, who makes all things one.

Lighting the Christ Candle Responses for Lent

As we journey through Lent, as we move towards the darkness of the cross, we light a candle to remind us of the Light that can not be put out.
May its light remind us that we are not alone, in the good and the bad of life, we are not alone.

Lighting the Christ Candle Responses for the Season After Epiphany

In this season of Light, we light this candle to remind us of God's light shining in the darkness
May we carry this light of hope, peace, and justice to the world around us everyday.

For February 19, 2012 -- Transfiguration Year B

PRAYER FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE

God, you call us to the mountain-top times of life so that we can feel the glory of your presence,

and we admit that we are uncertain what to do when we are there.

Sometimes we are terrified, feeling unworthy of being in such a place,

because we know that we have not always lived up to Your hopes for us.

Sometimes we lose sight of the larger picture of what it means to follow The Way,

and so we try to stay in that place and time, or we try to keep that place and experience for the “in-crowd”.

For all the times we do not respond appropriately to your gifts...

forgive us, and re-direct us back to the path of wisdom.

...time of silent prayer...

Here is the Good News. Over and over God calls us to the mountain-top to be renewed, to be refreshed, to be reminded that WE are God's Beloved children. We are a forgiven people.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

COMMISSIONING:

We have been led to the mountain-top,

we were led there to see God revealed.

And we can not stay in that place,

it is there that we are refreshed and energized, made ready to be sent out.

Now go out into the world where we live and serve.

Now we go to share the Good News that God is active and alive among us.

Go with God, who is ever-present, ever-loving, and ever-challenging.

We go in faith and hope, in peace and love. Amen.