Liturgy
Call to Worship (Thom Shuman, alt.)
God's Word called into being the pumpkins, the geese who fly south, the autumn rains that refresh our plants.
In awe, we come into the presence of the God of vivid imagination.
God's arms reach down and gather up children, lovingly placing us in grace's lap.
In joy, we reach up to the God who loves us completely.
God's Spirit fills our lungs, so we can cry out for justice for the broken, the young, the old, the abandoned of our time.
In service, we join with our God to build hope in our world.
In awe, we come into the presence of the God of vivid imagination.
God's arms reach down and gather up children, lovingly placing us in grace's lap.
In joy, we reach up to the God who loves us completely.
God's Spirit fills our lungs, so we can cry out for justice for the broken, the young, the old, the abandoned of our time.
In service, we join with our God to build hope in our world.
Prayer of Approach (Thom Shuman)
In gentle touches of fathers,
in calming words of mothers,
you care for us;
through teachers in schools,
neighbors at the corner,
colleagues who share jobs with us,
you touch us with your peace.
We worship you, Holy God,
with our words and with our silence.
You appeared but once,
yet all people have been
cleansed in your grace;
you lived but once,
yet every life is redeemed
by your love;
you died but once,
and all people will live
in your kingdom forever.
Jesus, Friend of the fallen,
we follow you with our lives.
Stained by the pride of the world,
you wash us with your tears;
made naked by the criticisms of others,
you clothe us with your grace;
condemned by those around us,
you hallow us with your hope.
We welcome you into our hearts,
Spirit of Joy.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our prayers to you...
in calming words of mothers,
you care for us;
through teachers in schools,
neighbors at the corner,
colleagues who share jobs with us,
you touch us with your peace.
We worship you, Holy God,
with our words and with our silence.
You appeared but once,
yet all people have been
cleansed in your grace;
you lived but once,
yet every life is redeemed
by your love;
you died but once,
and all people will live
in your kingdom forever.
Jesus, Friend of the fallen,
we follow you with our lives.
Stained by the pride of the world,
you wash us with your tears;
made naked by the criticisms of others,
you clothe us with your grace;
condemned by those around us,
you hallow us with your hope.
We welcome you into our hearts,
Spirit of Joy.
God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our prayers to you...
Lisa, please plan to read the Hebrews passage. Thanks.
