a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Leader: We are here.
Side 1: In this place where we experience God’s love.
Side 2: In this place where we practice loving each other.
Leader: We are here.
Side 1: Some of us have returned from a distant country.
Side 2: Some of us have snapped out of our own petty preoccupations.
All: At least for now.
Leader: We are here.
All: We are home.
Submitted by Rev. Joanna Harader.
Holy One,
The space between us is too great–
this agonizing expanse between you and us:
The rift we have created by demanding our share.
The distance we have put between us as we flee to a far country.
The resentment we hold when things don’t seem fair.
Our refusal to join your gracious party.
Forgive each selfish request
each step away
each bitter thought
each joyless rejection.
Forgive us
and run toward us
with open arms.
Submitted by Rev. Joanna Harader.
One: God, you have called us into community, and gifted us with ways to celebrate your presence and to mark our journey.
All: Forgive us for the times when we have believed that our way is the only way, trusting in the words and actions rather than in the One to whom they point.
One: Through words ancient and new, you speak. Through bread and water, journey and prayer, feast and fast, you show us your way.
All: When these rituals of your people become nothing but empty rote recitation, not worth our attention, forgive us.
One: We hear your words of invitation, but sometimes we are certain they do not apply to us.
Reader 1: We are not worthy of your notice.
Reader 2: We are too smart and sophisticated for such things.
Reader 3: We aren’t sure we believe it all.
All: We are not ready, we do not understand, if you knew what we’d done…
One: And you say: You are my beloved, and I have called you by name.
All: We offer ourselves to you, O God, not because we are good, but because you are good.
sung: Kyrie Eleison
silence
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL.
Hearing God’s Forgiveness – Adapted from the PC(USA) Brief Statement of Faith
L: Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child,
P: like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home,
L: God is faithful still. Hear the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
P: We can trust and rejoice in this promise!
Submitted by Stephanie Anthony, pastor at First Presbyterian Church (Hudson, WI)
A call to worship for communion Sunday.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
One: God calls us to a feast!
All: The table is set,
and we will come from east and west,
from north and south to sit at Christ’s table.
One: Compassion, love, and grace are poured out like fine wine.
All: We come to share our stories and Your story,
to share our hope and our pain,
to share our wisdom and our laughter.
One: The table is set, so come let us worship God together!
~~~
adaptation for a day reflecting on the Prodigal story from the perspective of the older brother, combined with 2 Corinthians 5.17:
One: God calls us to a feast!
All: The table is set,
and we will come from east and west,
from north and south to sit at Christ’s table.
One: Compassion, love, and grace are poured out like fine wine.
All: There’s music and dancing and joy,
for better is one day in God’s house
than thousands elsewhere.
One: Will we come in?
All: We will worship God together,
and God will draw us together as the body of Christ.
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