GATHERING
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Jesus responded, “If you have the faith of a mustard seed (and you do) – implying … that what they need isn’t more faith. What they need to realize is that the thing they ALREADY have IS faith. It’s like Jesus is saying how much faith do you have? and I’m like I don’t know Jesus, it’s not very much it’s like barely any and Jesus is saying “perfect!”
Nadia Bolz-Weber, “A sermon on faith and doubt,” Oct. 2, 2022
LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Come, worship the Holy One,
who has searched us
and knows us completely.
People: We come, seeking the One
who knows our hearts,
our thoughts, and all our ways.
Leader: Come, and offer your faith
in the Holy Spirit, who is everywhere,
in all things, and within us.
People: We come, following the way of Jesus,
who takes our faith
and uses it to move mountains.
Leader: Come, you faith-filled ones,
confident, or doubting,
or wrestling with faith.
All: The Holy Mystery of Love
accepts us as we are,
with the faith we bring today.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: Persistent Nurturer of Faith,
you invite us to step out from our boats
and walk with you on water.
People: We are fearful that our faith is too small.
We hide and make excuses,
ignoring your outstretched hand.
Leader: Knowing our fears,
you comfort us saying
that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough.
People: Instead of trusting in your words,
we quibble and quantify our faith,
certain that it is not enough,
finding comfort in our inadequacy.
Leader: Holy One, we have lost our way
and refuse to see the faith we have as perfect.
All: Forgive us for our blindness,
for we want to reach out and touch
your outstretched hand in faith.
ASSURANCE
Leader: The Holy One knows our fears and forgives us,
opening our eyes so we can see
that our faith is perfect, even now.
All: Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
INTERCESSION AND PETITION
COMMITMENT
All: O Holy One, we come today
to claim our relationship with you.
We pray for the commitment to grow together,
sharing the gifts you give us with others
here and in the wider world.
Forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted
and help us forgive those who have hurt us.
Give us strength and discipline
to nurture our relationship with you;
to care for every part of your creation;
to foster justice and be in solidarity with those in need;
to work to end all war, and violence, and discord;
and to respond joyfully when you call,
freely giving our selves as you have shown the way.
We open our hearts to you and your creation
in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
HYMN
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION
OFFERING
Whether you are here in person or attending on Zoom, offerings may be made by sending a check to the church or through PayPal by clicking on the Donate button on the Seekers website or at PayPal.Me/SeekersChurch. Those in the sanctuary are welcome to place their offerings in the plate on the altar.
COMMUNION
PREPARATION
Leader 1: This is the table of the heavenly feast,
the joyful celebration of the people of God.
Leader 2: We gather now as one body, joined around the table.
united in Christ’s spirit, broken and whole all at once.
All: Nourished and hungry, loved and loving,
sinner and forgiven, we make one circle
of knowing, believing, rejoicing, being,
as God lights and rests among us.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader 1: Holy Maker of all that is,
we are thankful you have faith in us
even when we do not have faith in ourselves.
People: We give thanks for Jesus,
who taught us that the faith we have
is already enough.
Leader 2: We give thanks for
the power of your Holy Spirit,
making us one with each other
and with you.
People: We give thanks for your Holy Church,
where these great lessons of faith
are taught and lived.
BLESSING THE ELEMENTS
Leader 1: Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life,
to drink the cup of the new covenant.
Leader 2: Jesus said, I am the bread of life.
You who come to me shall never hunger;
you who believe in me shall never thirst.
Leader 1: On the night he gave himself up, Jesus took bread,
and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,
This is my body,
broken for the healing of the world.
Whenever you eat it, do so remembering me.
Leader 2: After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,
This is the cup of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for all.
Whenever you drink it, do so remembering me.
All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of grain and grape,
and work of human hands
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.
SHARE THE ELEMENTS
As a sign of gathering in spirit while scattered, you may want to lift your bread and cup toward your camera.
Leader 1: The body of Christ, broken for all of us.
Feed on Christ in your hearts with thanksgiving.
Leader 2: The cup of the new covenant, poured out for the healing of the world.
Drink deeply of it.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
All: God of abundance and mercy,
we give joyful thanks
for your eternal love and healing presence
in our celebration of bread and cup.
Bless this Body of Christ
that we may attend faithfully to our call to be your servants,
with each other and throughout the world. Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: May your tongue tingle with the good news.
May your heart open
to all the people of the street.
And, when you are bent over by sorrow,
may you find the Spirit’s feather on the ground
waiting there to give you hope.
And as you go out to wrestle with the faith of Christ,
may you greet everyone you meet with signs of peace.
All: Amen.
RESOURCE
Benediction based on text by Maren Tirabassi
May 23, 2021
