NOVEMBER 26, 2017 SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
Dorchester United Church
Wherever you are, whoever you are, Join us in our Journey! WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD TO PONDER:
Read 'A Prayer for the Reign of Christ' at V.U. 214
MUSIC PRELUDE
HYMN:
"Crown him with many crowns" V.U. 211
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are gathered to give witness to the enduring realities of life.
We have come to affirm that life is a gift, that the gift is good, and
that it comes from God.
We are gathered to renew our hope in Jesus as we travel life's journey.
We find God in our present and our past, but we also trust God for our
future.
The same God guides us all the way, every day of our lives, even beyond
life.
Let us praise God with all that we have and are as we trust in God's
power to renew us.
OPENING PRAYER (IN UNISON)
Suffering God, present with all humans, help us to know You in the
hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner. May our souls be fed
with the fruits of justice, our hearts made glad with healing and
hospitality, and our feet set to dancing with the freedom of Your
Spirit alive in Jesus. AMEN
HYMN:
"Dance with the Spirit" M.V. 156
SERVICE OF LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
A candle burns brightly to dispel this world's darkness.
May it shine into our lives that we may be true witnesses to the light
who is Jesus.
ANTHEM
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Righteous God, we live in a world where human life is exploited and
abused. Violence is taken lightly, and people are often viewed as
objects. Images of hunger and war and murder flash before us until we
become almost hardened. Forgive us when we take on the values of this
world. Give us tender hearts. Help us to reflect Your righteousness and
give us courage to challenge the wrongs we see, through the power of
Your Holy Spirit. AMEN
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God is ever more ready to forgive us than we are to forgive ourselves. Let
us accept God's gift of forgiveness, given freely and unconditionally.
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 grace
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
[See Insert]
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
When I needed a neighbour" V.U. 600
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: You have called us to follow You, O God. May we
follow You to the bedside of the sick, to the table of the hungry and
to the prison cells of the captive. We cannot be everywhere, so bless
these gifts as an expression of Your love to all people, in all places.
AMEN
