GATHERING
REFLECTION
If as Herod, we fill our lives with things,
And again with things,
If we consider ourselves so unimportant that
We must fill every moment of our lives with action,
When will we have time to make the long slow journey
Across the desert as did the magi?
Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds?
Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary?
For each one of us there is a desert to travel,
A star to discover
And a being within ourselves to bring to life.
Anonymous
LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Come, let us worship the Creator of the universe,
who flung into space the stars
and planets that fill the night sky.
People: We come, like the shepherds
who watched the stars in wonder
while guarding their sheep.
Leader: Come, let us worship Jesus, the Christ,
who was born among us.
People: We come, like Mary, wondering what it means
for God to become human and live among us.
Leader: Come, let us worship the Holy Spirit,
whose still, small voice is life giving.
People: We come, longing for the birth of something new
within ourselves and in the world.
Leader: Come, let us worship the Holy One!
All: We come!
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: O God you created and are creating still.
In your presence our limits lie stark before us.
People: We confess our unclean lips,
our cold hearts, our turning away
from neighbors, and our broken promises.
Leader: Forgive us, O Holy One, as we confess
that we have squandered
the gifts you have given us.
People: We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves,
and we have abandoned the stranger.
For the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Leader: We have neglected the land.
We have grasped for goods.
We have used each other.
People: Forgive us, renew us, and lead us
so we may delight in your will
and follow in your ways.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Leader: The nature of the Holy One is
never to tire from forgiving,
and always to have mercy on us, hold us in love,
and strengthen us to do God’s holy will.
People: 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
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.
Here we celebrate God’s presence among us,
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, unknowable Creator of the cosmos,
of the stars, and this tiny, beautiful Earth,
we lift our hearts in gratitude and praise to you
for providing all that is needed
to sustain and delight this planet’s living beings,
now and through all time.
People: Holy, infinite Giver of mercy,
we offer you thanks and praise for sending
your Chosen One, Jesus,
who leads each of us through the desert,
to discover the living being within.
Leader 2: Holy, cosmic Mystery of grace,
we praise you and thank you for the Spirit
that burns in the stars,
breathes through our bodies,
and leads us on our journey.
All: Holy, unbounded Foundation of love,
we bring to you gratitude and praise
for your universal Church,
the Body of Christ in and beyond time,
all beings who pause to watch the stars
and brood over the child
as we make our long, slow journey.
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
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: As we make the long, slow journey
towards peace and justice for all,
let us cross the wilderness
of unimportant things,
go out to watch the stars,
brood over the coming new world,
and discover the One who
changes us into the living, holy Body of Christ,
bringing healing and hope to all.
All: Amen.