CALL
TO WORSHIP
The
One who has Created and is Creating invites us here.
As
followers of the Word-Made-Flesh we gather for worship.
The
One who works in us and others by the Spirit,
moves
in and around us as we gather to eat, to pray, to sing, and to listen
together.
As
a community gathered in both
physical and virtual space,
let
us worship together
OPENING
PRAYER
OK
God, the world is a bit of a mess right now,
so
we need to hear a word of hope, we need to be reminded who we were
created to be.
In
this time together, as we break bread together, as we share our
prayers, as we sing our faith,
speak
to our hearts, embolden us, remind us of what is possible.
We
gather of followers of Jesus the Christ, we pray in his name.
Amen
PRAYER
FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Creator
of all that is, you shaped us for paradise.
You
meant for us to live as partners with all that has been created.
And
yet, we have often wandered from the primeval garden.
Our
focus has been drawn to things that lead to hurtful words, hurtful
actions, hurtful thoughts.
You
call us to put aside those things that are hurtful to ourselves, to
each other,
help
us, we pray, to do that, transform us, lead us back to the garden.
...time
of silent prayer...
The
Sovereign God who created, and who is constantly re-creating, acts in
power and in mercy and in grace. In Christ we are given new life, a
new self, a new beginning. We are forgiven. We can be transformed. We
can live in partnership with all that God has created.
Thanks
be to the Creating One. Amen
COMMISSIONING:
Our
time of worship draws to a close.
Our
time of service continues.
Go
from this time of eating and singing and praying to carry the love of
Christ into the world.
We
go to proclaim the Good News with our words and through our deeds
As
you live and serve, remember that God who created and re-creates you,
who is made known in the man Jesus of Nazareth, the Risen Christ, who
is active in the world as the Holy Spirit is with you.
Wherever
we go, we are not alone. Thanks be to God.
