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God calls us to create a community of faith where all are welcome and encouraged to participate fully: no matter where you’re from, when you were born, however you self-identify, whom you love,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land, and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF HOPE
God welcomes us to gather and to wait. On this first Sunday of Advent we light the candle of Hope.
Hope flows in our relationships and our wonderings.
Come and worship this first Sunday of Advent; come with hearts and eyes open to the possibilities of Emmanuel.
HYMN #7 Voices United “Hope is a Star” Verse 1 and Refrain
Hope is a star, that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.
Refrain When God is a child, there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first
And the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Wake us up, God!
… to the signs in the sun, the moon and the stars.
Wake us up, God!
… to the powers of the heavens set loose among us.
Wake us up, God!
… to the messengers of hope, peace, joy, and love around us.
Wake us up, God!
… to the hope that our praise raises.
Wake us up, God!
… to worship You here and now.
(based on Luke 21:25-36)
OPENING PRAYER [Together]
Perfect God,
Our imperfect world needs You.
Into the chaos, Your still, small voice can speak order.
Into the crisis, Your most powerful Love can bring blessing.
Into the uneasiness, Your son, Jesus, can spark Hope.
May it be so as we gather.
Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
HYMN #2 Voices United “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art.
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver; born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us forever; now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM ~ Henry Cameron Francis
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
Luke 21:25-36 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages,
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON – Rev. Tracy Robertson
HYMN #161 More Voices “I Have Called You by Your Name”
I have called you by your name, you are mine; I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true. You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.
I will help you learn my name as you go; read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim, offer Jesus’ body given long ago.
I know you will need my touch as you go; feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt, hold the hem of Jesus’ robe,
Then let it go.
I have given you a name, it is mine; I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
Go and tell my precious people they are mine.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING ~ Moderator Carmen Lansdowne’s Advent Message
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Nurturing New Beginnings”
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…We pray this with the words Jesus taught us, each in the language of our hearts:
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN 1 Voices United “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” verses 1, 6 & 7
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here until the son of God appear.
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O Dayspring, from on high, and cheer us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow’s put to flight. Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
O bid our sad divisions cease, and be for us the Prince of Peace Refrain
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
What would it take to spark the flame of our hope amidst the darkness?
We are ready to learn.
We are ready to wait.
We are ready to witness.
Come, God of Love.
Come, Grace of Jesus.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Rest upon us all and renew us each in our courageous hope as we go from this place in peace.
Amen.
ON THE WAY HYMN #10 Voices United “Prepare the Way” x 2
Prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord.
Make a straight path for him, make a straight path. Prepare the way of the Lord.
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United. Thanks to Rev. Tracy Robertson, St. Thomas United, Calgary for the sermon and Rev. Andria Barkley (nee Irwin), Calgary, AB for the Liturgy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land, and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
God’s the center of all Creation.
As we orbit around the sun, so we are centered on God!
God is the surprising Grace that rises every morning.
As surprising as a sunrise amid winter!
God is as constant as the moon’s phases.
Always the same, yet always changing – God is amazing!
So let us worship God!
OPENING PRAYER
God, you have made with all Creation an Everlasting Covenant and ordered weather, season and ecosystems to balance one another.
You also made an Everlasting Covenant with humans
to take care of one another and creation – in balance and in love.
Like a good ruler of old, you take care of your people.
Like a good, elected leader of today, you listen to your people.
Help us open our hearts and minds to you this day – you our Creator, Center and Christ, Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
HYMN #605 Voices United “Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold”
Jesus, teacher, brave and bold, let us serve you, young and old.
Let us faith-filled workers be, all around, your wisdom see.
Let us play and dance and sing, your goodness find in everything.
Jesus, friend, so strong and true, show us good, brave work to do.
Show us those who need a friend, all things broken help us mend.
Free our minds and stretch our care, teach us to serve you everywhere.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
God of all peoples, places and times, we open to you our hearts that yearn for comfort this day. It is the time of long nights and short days, and we need reminding that you are always in our hearts. Sometimes like a comforting warm dark blanket. Sometimes like a thrilling hot light. But always…with us.
We are sorry for the times this past week when we have forgotten to seek you out. We forget to ask for help, guidance, nurture and support. We are sorry for the times this past week when we have forgotten to help others, too. For when they ask for help and nurture we are called and equipped to be your hands and feet. Help us be your true people, centered always on love of other and care of self.
DISCOVERY CIRCLE ~~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Trial and Death of Jesus, God’s Dream
HYMN #56 Voices United “Jesus, Our Brother”
Jesus, our brother, kind and good, was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus our brother, kind and good.
“I,”, said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried the mother uphill and down;
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town; I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.
“I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed,
I gave him hay to pillow his head: I,” said the cow and white and red.
“I,” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn; I,” said the sheep, with curly horn.
“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high, “I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry,
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I; I,” said the dove, from rafters high.
Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 95 Part One p. 814 VU with Refrain
Refrain Come, let us bow down and worship; let us kneel before God our maker.
O come, let us sing to God,
let us shout with joy to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyously shout to God with songs of praise. Refrain
For you are a great God,
high sovereign above all gods.
In your hand are the depths of the earth;
to you belong the heights of the mountains.
The sea is yours, for you made it;
your hands also formed the dry land.
You are indeed our God;
we are your people, the flock that you shepherd. Refrain
Matthew 25:31-46
RESPONSE
May God bless our understanding of these words handed down from the Early Church.
SERMON – Rev. Karen Medland
HYMN #271 Voices United “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in God’s justice which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings have such gracious judgement given.
There is plentiful redemption in the blood that Christ has shed;
there is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head.
Troubled souls, why will you scatter like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts, why will you wander from a love so true and deep?
For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind,
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #79 More Voices “Spirit, Open My Heart” [Refrain only]
Refrain Spirit, Open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES – Gifts with Vision: A Gift to All
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious God, bless these gifts, and those we give at other times. Bless all the baking, sewing, wrapping and loving we will do in the coming weeks too. Transform all this energy into love made known in your world! Use them as you will, for your work through Christ, Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN #173 More Voices “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.
Put peace into each other’s hands like bread we break for sharing;
Look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.
Give thanks for strong yet tender hands, held out in trust and blessing.
Where words fall short, let hands speak out, the heights of love expressing.
Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
God is the center of all Creation.
We are the arms and hands of Christ reaching out!
God is the surprising Grace that rises every morning.
We are the forgiven and freed children of God going out to serve God’s children.
God is as constant as the moon’s phases.
Always the same, yet always changing – God is amazing!
So let us too – grow, change and constantly live love!
We go in peace to serve and love our God!
HYMN #212 More Voices “Sent out in Jesus’ Name”
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
to make the world a place in which the kingdom comes.
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
to make the world a place in which the kingdom comes.
The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain
into a world of love, of justice and of peace.
The task is ours to do, to set it really free.
O, help us to obey, and carry out your will.
The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain
into a world of love, of justice and of peace.
The task is ours to do, to set it really free.
O, help us to obey, and carry out your will.
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United. Thanks to Rev. James McTyre, The Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN, USA for the liturgy and Rev. Karen Medland, Chinook Winds Region Pastoral Relations Minister for the sermon.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land, and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
On this Children’s Sunday, let’s come to this time of worship as family gathers around a table. Let’s come as children with our questions and curiosities.
May we embrace the joy of this moment.
Let’s come as sceptical youth, ready to challenge ideas and norms.
May we discern the evolving wisdom of our faith stories.
Let’s come as busy adults, holding space for schedules, jobs, family, and friends.
May we engage faithfully with head, heart, hands, and feet.
Let’s come as loving grandparents, keepers of our stories.
May we enter this time of worship as the whole people of God.
OPENING PRAYER [together]
Holy One, no matter who is present and who is absent around our table, we know your love embraces us all. Your Holy Spirit is present and accounted for in our curiosity, our questions, our caregiving, and our stories. May we be attentive to your Word among us, teaching us to love and trust one another. Bless our homes and families. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ is knowing we are loved and held in grace just as we come. Let’s share that good news as we turn to one another with a gesture of welcome and the words:
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
As we gather ourselves together once again, let us prepare to continue our worship as we join our hearts together and pray.
HYMN #556 Voices United “Would You Bless our Homes and Families”
Would you bless our homes and families, Source of life who calls us here;
in our world of stress and tension teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;
Teach us when we face our troubles, love’s expressed in many ways.
When our way is undemanding, let us use the time that’s ours
To delight in simple pleasures, sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking and a heavy path we plod,
Teach us trust in one another and in you, our gracious God.
From the homes in which we’re nurtured, with the love that shapes us there,
Teach us, God, to claim as family every one whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer, may we in your love remain;
May the love we share in families be alive to praise your name.
Let us reach beyond the boundaries of our daily thought and care
Till the family you have chosen spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;
Teach us when we face our troubles love’s expressed in many ways.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
DISCOVERY CIRCLE
HYMN #173 More Voices “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.
Put peace into each other’s hands like bread we break for sharing;
Look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.
Give thanks for strong yet tender hands, held out in trust and blessing.
Where words fall short, let hands speak out, the heights of love expressing.
Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages,
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON – Rev. MiYeon Kim
HYMN #120 More Voices “My Soul Cries Out “
My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn!
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. Refrain
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed for the world is about to turn. Refrain
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast;
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard, is the promise that holds us bound;
‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God who is turning the world around. Refrain
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #191 More Voices “What Can I Do?”
What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.
What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.
YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS (MINUTE FOR MISSION) – Supporting Community Resilience in Zimbabwe
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…Please join me as we say together the words that Jesus taught his friends:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
HYMN #288 VU “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is thy faithfulness, God our Creator; There is not shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Refrain Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness ever to me!
Summer and winter and spring time and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow, wondrous the portion, thy blessings provide. Refrain
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
ON THE WAY HYMN #209 More Voices “Go Make a Diff’rence”
Refrain Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen. Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain
We are the hands of Christ, reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace. Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United. Thanks to Rev. MiYeon Kim, Granum and Trinity United Churches in Fort McLeod for the sermon and Nancy Chegus, Sunnybrook United, Red Deer, AB for the liturgy.
God calls us to create a community of faith where all are welcome and encouraged to participate fully: no matter where you’re from, when you were born, however you self-identify, whom you love,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
COMING CLOSE TO THE LIGHT
As we gather today we bring the Light of Christ to this place of worship.
This is Christ’s light before us, behind us and all around us. We are heartened by its light and promise to be bearers of the hope this flame brings into our lives.
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are here, some of us happy, some of us sad.
God is here too, ready to celebrate, ready to heal.
We are here, some of us tired, some filled with energy.
God is here too, giving us strength, giving us purpose.
We are here, some of us feeling right with God, some of us feeling repentant.
God is here too, full of grace, full of forgiveness.
Some of us are here with our questions, others are sure of their faith.
God is here too, present in doubt, present in assurance.
HYMN #374 Voices United “Come and Find the Quiet Centre”
Come and find the quiet centre in the crowded life we lead.
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed;
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we may see
All the things that really matter, be at peace and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace;
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, face to face,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain;
Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain;
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!
DISCOVERY CIRCLE – Remembering Forward
HYMN #33 More Voices “Jesus Came Bringing Us Hope”
Jesus came bringing us hope, Jesus came bring us hope,
Jesus came bringing us hope, hallelujah forever more!
Jesus came bringing us peace, Jesus came bring us peace,
Jesus came bringing us peace, hallelujah forever more!
Jesus came bringing us love, Jesus came bring us love,
Jesus came bringing us love, hallelujah forever more!
Jesus came bringing us joy, Jesus came bring us joy,
Jesus came bringing us joy, hallelujah forever more!
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Proverbs 2:1-11
Luke 1:39-55
SERMON – Called to Hope
HYMN #598 Voices United “When Pain of the World Surrounds Us”
When pain of the world surrounds us, with darkness and despair;
When searching just confounds us with false hopes everywhere,
When lives are starved for meaning and destiny is bare,
We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s healing flow through us.
We see with fear and trembling our aching world in need,
Confessing to each other our wastefulness and greed.
May we with steadfast caring the hungry children feed.
We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s justice flow through us.
The church is a holy vessel the living waters fill
To nourish all its people, God’s purpose to fulfill.
May we with humble courage be open to God’s will.
We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s spirit flow through us.
We praise you for our journey and your abundant grace,
Your saving word that guided a struggling human race.
O God, with all creation, your future we embrace.
We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s changes flow through us.
YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS – “Overcoming Obstacles”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift our hearts in prayer.
Let us give thanks to God
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
HYMN AS THE BREAD AND CUP ARE SHARED
HYMN #466 Voices United “Eat This Bread”
Eat this bread, drink this cup
Come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
Trust in me and you will not thirst.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Gracious God, may your gifts of love transform and enliven us,
that new may live lives of thanksgiving.
May your presence among us provoke such longing for your realm,
that we will never be satisfied until the whole Earth knows your hope,
your peace, and your love.
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.
HYMN #173 More Voices “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.
Put peace into each other’s hands like bread we break for sharing;
Look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.
As at communion, shape your hands into a waiting cradle;
The gift of Christ receive, revere, united round the table.
Put Christ into each other’s hands, he is love’s deepest measure;
In love make peace, give peace a chance, and share it like a treasure.
THE LIGHT CHANGES
As we pray to go from this time of worship, we snuff the candle.
The smoke rises, taking the light of Christ out to our hearts.
We will carry this light and share it with all whom we meet.
BLESSING
AMEN HYMN #974 Voices United
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!