We believe that Christ’s work of reconciliation is made manifest in the church as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another;that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation for the church of Jesus Christ; that through the working of God’s Spirit it is a binding force, yet simultaneously a reality which must be earnestly pursued and sought: one which the people of God must continually be built up to attain;that this unity must become visible so that the world may believe that separation, enmity and hatred between people and groups is sin which Christ has already conquered, and accordingly that anything which threatens this unity may have no place in the church and must be resisted.
One: May the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with each
and everyone of you.
People: And also with you.
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
Of Psalm 89
One: I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord!
All: Lead me, guide me, Lord Jesus
One: I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations!
All: Lead me, guide me, Lord Jesus
One: I will abide in your steadfast love forever!
All: Lead me, guide me, Lord Jesus
*HYMN: “Victory Chant”
*CALL TO CONFESSION
Leader: My brothers and sisters, not out of dread and fear, but believing that God is faithful to forgive, let us rid ourselves of what we no longer need to carry.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: Holy One, we repent of our hard heartedness and our divisive behavior. Teach us to be truly hospitable, and to have kind and listening hearts. We repent of our stiff-necked stubbornness and insistence on our own way. Soften our hearts and give us courage to admit when we are wrong and to embrace meaningful change. Where we are unkind, give us compassion, where we are tight-fisted, ease our anxiety, where we are broken, let the light shine through the cracks in our being that we might be bearers of light and love.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Leader: God forgives you. Be at peace.
People: In Jesus Christ we are restored!
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE “Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, Amen, Amen
*SHARING OF THE PEACE
Leader: Having been assured of God’s forgiveness and peace, let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Our Father, which 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 debts as we forgive our debtors, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
OFFERING OF OUR GIFT AND TALENTS
*RESPONSE Doxology” (traditional)
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious and Holy God, all that we have, all that we are, comes from you. Teach us to receive with gratitude and give with grace, that we might more fully embody your vision, your desire, here on earth. Amen
