CALL
TO WORSHIP
All
who are thirsty, all who are tired, all who wish to be refreshed,
All
of us, whoever we are, where ever we find ourselves in life,
Old
and young; cis-gendered, trans and non-binary; dark and pale skinned;
neuro-typical and neuro-divergent,
Long
time members of the community and first-timers,
All
are welcome to come here to pray, to sing, to be in God’s presence
We
have come to worship the God who created and loves us all.
Let
us worship together...
OPENING
PRAYER
Welcoming
and inviting God, you have called us together this morning.
We
have come to listen for your wisdom, to be refreshed by your
presence.
In
this time of prayer and song and listening,
move
in our hearts, awaken in us a commitment to welcome your diverse
family in our community.
Then
when our time of worship is over,
lead
us back out to proclaim the wideness and inclusiveness of your love
and hope.
We
pray in Jesus’ name as we share a prayer like he taught his friends
long ago...
PRAYER
FOR & ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Holy
Mystery who is Wholly love, you call us to build a new community,
one
where all are welcome, one where all are included.
Sometimes
we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong.
There
are days when we only see the differences between us and forget that
others are part of your beloved family.
There
are times when the community of Christ has openly attacked others
because of their skin colour, or age, or sexuality, or gender
Where
we get community and inclusion right, celebrate with us
Where
we miss the chance to include all our neighbours, to welcome the
diversity of your family, through grace, help us get back on track.
...time
of silent prayer...
There’s
a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea. God has a
vision for what kind of a community we could be and God helps us take
small steps or large leaps to live out that vision. When we miss the
mark we are offered grace, forgiveness, and renewal. We are
encouraged to learn and try again.
Thanks
be to God! Amen.
COMMISSIONING
Go
now into the world committed to live out these words:
Through
Faith, we walk on the path Jesus set for us.
The
people of St. Paul’s Belong… Believe… Love... Listen… Lead.
(St. Paul’s Mission
Statement)
As
you go, carry with you the wide, boundless love of God that breaks
down boundaries
We
pledge to love the world God loves, to see and welcome our neighbours
as beloved siblings
And
trust that God: who has created and is creating; who is made known in
Jesus, the Word-made-Flesh; and who works in all of us through the
Holy Spirit is with you whoever you are and where ever you go.
Hallelujah!
