a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Praise our God everyone; give the Lord a raucous greeting!
God is our Advocate, our Helper, the one who gives life.
We search and grasp, even though God is as close as our breath.
Glory to the One who suffered in order to bring us to God!
Submitted by Rev. Will Ryan, First Christian Church, Burlington IA
Leader: Praise God who made the world
People: …and everything in it
Leader: Worship God who gives all life
People: …their breath and nourishment.
Leader: Come search and Find God
People: ..for God is not far from each one of us.
Submitted by Christy Ramsey
Pulpit side: Come, people of God—make a joyful noise!
Lectern side: Come, beloved of Christ—lift up your offering of praise!
Travellers: We gather in the presence of mystery,
grace known and unknown,
promises fulfilled and still awaited.
“Locals”: We have received beyond measure,
building our hope on a foundation of love.
Morning ppl: The Spirit of truth fills this place,
empowering us to lead lives
worthy of Christ’s calling.
Night owls: The Spirit of truth fills this place,
revealing the Way:
to love as we have been loved.
Light eyes: In the triune God we live and move
and have our being,
and so we come to worship, one by one,
Dark eyes: to be remade as the Body of Christ,
together and whole,
Outdoorsy: making God’s justice and peace visible
Indoorsy: even in our days.
Over 45: Come, Body of Christ—see what God has done
Under 45: and see what God will do!
Submitted by Rev Teri Peterson–originally written for a liturgy class at Montreat Conference Center’s Arts Recreation and Worship Conference, as examples of options other than “one – all” or “women – men” responsive liturgy.
Call to Confession
It is tempting to think we have it all figured out, but then we fool only ourselves even as we crowd out the Spirit. When we admit our faults and our failings, we make room for the still small voice of God to speak, to us and through us. Before God, with the people of God, let us confess the ways we wound our lives, and the life of the world. Let us pray.
Confession
Living God, our lives are so full, and we keep filling them. Activities, knowledge, resume-builders, work, fun, stuff—more, more, more seems to be our mantra. There is no space for us to live or move or to just be. We confess that you are often unknown to us, for we cannot see how to fit you in. We confess that we like to feel important, and with you there is no power or status to be earned. We confess that we have more than our share of most things, yet still we want. Forgive our gluttony and arrogance of mind, body, and spirit, and turn us again to see your face. Silence in us every voice but your own, and make yourself known to us again this day. Amen.
~silence~
Assurance
Friends, hear this good news: God is not far from each one of us. In every breath, the Spirit makes us new, alive with Christ!
We are forgiven, loved, and free. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
Come and hear the good news—Christ is alive! Alleluia!
We search, and God finds us.
Above and beyond, within and among, breath of life and wind of change,
the Lord of heaven and earth is as close as our own hands and feet.
Come and be the good news—Christ is alive!
Alleluia!
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
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