Wherever you are, whoever you are, Join us in our Journey!
WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER :
We have all been given gifts of one kind or another. Do we have a
responsibility to share them or keep them for ourselves?
MUSIC PRELUDE
HYMN:
"Eternal, Unchanging, we sing" V.U. 223
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
God wants us to be fully present in this time of worship that we may
experience once more the depth of being called the Church.
We have come to invest ourselves and the treasure of our faith in
today's world.
We are entrusted with a new day, a day to be filled with joy for our life
together.
The God-given life of this community encourages us to live in faithful
stewardship.
OPENING PRAYER (IN UNISON)
Loving God, You have called us as Your people to live once more in Your
presence. We have come out of our own worldly experiences. We have come
both as receivers and those who know how to give. We come as the
faithful who have not stopped doubting. Hold us in the sacred circle of
Your grace that our hearts may be filled with Your joy and our thoughts
with Your will. AMEN
SERVICE OF LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle as a sign that Jesus has come among us.
May He shine brightly in this dark world bringing hope to all the
places of despair.
ANTHEM
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)
God, we confess that we have been given much and have done little. You
have entrusted us with good gifts and we have shirked our
responsibility. We no longer seek to nurture one another into a spirit
of joy. We have settled for the easy solutions. We have become somehow
less than You created us to be. Hear our pain, O God, in the midst of
our gathering today. Show us how to offer back to You a return on Your
love and trust in us. AMEN
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Let us find comfort in a God who has promised not to abandon us. For God
has sent Jesus to rescue us from our worldly ways. God is neither angry nor
vengeful and will always keep faith with those who love God.
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us gra
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
Abide with me" V.U. 436
OFFERING INVITATION OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks, O God. V.U.552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: We have received much that we did not earn nor
deserve. We have become complacent as our lives continue without any
major crises. Show us how to be ready for Your coming. It is Your grace
that gives our life meaning and hope. You have given us an abundance.
As we have received, even so, let us give. AMEN
HYMN:
"God be with you till we meet again" V.U. 423
