GATHERING
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
We are the vessels of God’s voice, her words blowing through us, bidding us to tell the tales that only we can speak.
Jan L. Richardson, In Wisdom’s Path
LIGHTING THE ALTAR CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: A wind breathes among us
calling us to gather
in the name of the Holy One
People: A fire burns within us,
calling us to service,
calling us to prayer.
Leader: A spirit moves around us,
calling us to turn with compassion
toward the sorrows of the world.
All: Burning, breathing Spirit,
we bring our lives to you.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
SILENCE
PRAYERS
CONFESSION
Leader: We turn away
from the wind of the Spirit
afraid to know our deepest desire.
People: We hide from our longing,
fearing to hear the voice of God.
Leader: We turn away
from the light of Christ
afraid to feel it burning within us.
People: We run from our calling,
fearing to see a hurting world.
We turn away
from the touch of God,
unwilling to trust this healing fire.
INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Leader: In a rush of wind,
the Spirit burns away our fears,
freeing us to carry the light of Christ into the world.
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
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 One, we thank you
for your extravagant love,
which embraces all of your Creation,
cycling from sprout to flower,
then back to seed again.
People: We give thanks for Jesus,
who in his life, death, and resurrection
reveals the delicious mystery
of your forgiving love.
Leader 2: We give thanks for the Holy Spirit
calling us beyond suffering
to loving relationship
with you and all creation.
All: We give thanks for your Holy Church,
Christ’s body here on earth,
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: God of all creation,
let your bright, intoxicating Spirit
send us out to spread your word like fire.
All: Amen.