Call to Worship: Matthew 2: 1-12


Here’s an invitation to worship inspired by the story of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12.  It was written by Shelly Barsuhn.

The kingdom
(inspired by Matthew 2:1-12)
 
When, secondhand, we heard the shepherds call,
    "The anointed has come!"
we set out,
arriving in this kingdom a moment or a lifetime ago.
We have journeyed from
continents apart,
tundra, tropics, poverty, privilege,
energy, exhaustion, giddiness, grief.
Through some miracle,
the Messiah has brought us together.

We are all refugees
with nothing of worth to bring--
no gold, frankincense, or myrrh.
We have no drum to play.
The gifts we tried to carry,
our best doctrines, rules, and dogmas,
slip like air through our fingers.
We cup our hands, offering offer nothing.

Come stranger,
we have found our home.
The songs that welcome us here
are not the songs of angels
    (who harmonize in a different realm)
but the hum of God's grace and love
which we intone in messy unison.

In this kingdom,
no one who journeys to the Christ
is unworthy or alien.
In this kingdom,
we are companions
standing close as the wind howls.

~ written by by Shelly Barsuhn.  Posted on MINEmergent’s Daily Communique, December 28, 2012.

Prayers of the People: After Christmas


Here’s a prayer of intercession for the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day.  It comes from the World in Prayer ministry.

Prayer of Intercession

Pause, my children, in this space
between Christmas parties, and those of the New Year,
between gift unwrapping and cleaning up,
between longing and thanksgiving,
between endings and beginnings,
between dismay and joy,
between Sacred and ordinary…

Pause and remember
Whose you are, and Whose you will always be.

Pause and remember
in Whose name you pray,
and Whose love you seek, and hold, and give away.

Pause and pray
that all may see the world with the eyes of wonder of the newborn Christ,
with the loving heart of God’s act of self-giving.

Pause and pray
that we may all treat one another
with the honor and adoration Mary and Joseph,
shepherds and wise ones,
angels and all the heavenly choir
showed to the tiny child.

In the name of Christ, we pray
for every person, living now, gone before, or yet to come,
in every nation on earth:

(prayers may be offered)

In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.

~ from World in Prayer, a ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Lodi, California, USA. http://www.worldinprayer.org

Prayer at the Start of the New Year


Here’s a prayer for the New Year from Rev. Abi.

New Year’s Prayer

We begin our new year with you,
Hoping that this year will be different and be better than last year.
Hoping we will be better persons ourselves.
Hoping our work will be improved.
Hoping our marriages will be better.
Hoping our families will be stronger.
Lord, we place our hope in you for you are the author of our lives.

We pray for our churches
   that your spirit will be alive for all to experience you.
We pray for our country’s leaders
   that they will use wisdom in their decision making.
We pray for country that as we continue to come out of this recession
   jobs will continue to become available,
   foreclosures will continue to decline,
   and that debt will be paid down.
We pray for our world
   that relations among all your people will be better,
   that strife will cease,
   that those who hunger will be filled.

Holy Author,
We have no idea what this year holds for us,
   but we know who holds us.
And because it is you that holds us,
   we place our faith and trust in you.
Lord help us to have our eyes open to your light, your ways,
   and your presence as we go throughout this year.
Amen.

— written by Rev Abi, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

New Year: A Blessing on Time


Here’s a “blessing on time” from the Patmos Abbey website.

Prayer for Clocks and Calendars

(If you desire, watches and calendars may be placed on the table)

Lord, You who live outside of time,
and reside in the imperishable moment,
we ask Your blessing this New Year's Day (Eve)
upon Your gift to us of time

Bless our clocks and watches,
You who kindly direct us to observe the
passing of minutes and hours.
May they make us aware of the miracle
of each second of life we experience.

May these our ticking servants
help us not to miss that which is important,
while You keep us from machine-like routine.
May we ever be free from being clock watchers
and instead become who journey through time.

Bless our calendars,
these ordered lists of days, weeks and
months, of holidays, holydays, fasts and feasts—
all our special days of remembering.
May these servants, our calendars, once reserved for the royal few,
for magi and pyramid priests, now grace our homes and our lives.

May they remind us of birthdays and other gift-days,
as they teach us the secret that all life is meant
for celebration and contemplation.

Bless, Lord, this new year, each of its 365 days and nights.
Bless us with new moons and full moons.
Bless us with happy seasons and a long life.

Grant to us, Lord, the new year's gift of a year of love.  Amen.

~ posted on the website of Patmos Abbey—The Order of Saint Columba. http://www.patmosabbey.org/

Benediction: Luke 1: 47-55


Here’s a closing commission and benediction inspired by Luke 1: 47-55, Mary’s song of praise (the Magnificat).  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Commission & Benediction
(inspired by Luke 1:47-55)

Never put your faith in worldly status,
and never underestimate your heavenly importance.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Let your trust in the coming of Christ soar within you like wings of joy.
Go out into the world and serve one another as God-bearers.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Grace, mercy and peace, from God our Creator,
through Jesus our Saviour,
in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit our Nurturer,
be with you this day and evermore.
Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.  http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Prayer of Approach: Luke 1: 46-55


Here’s a prayer of approach and thanksgiving based closely on Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46-55.  It was written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.

Prayer of Approach
(based on Luke 1: 46-55)

Our hearts praise you, O Lord,
our spirits rejoice in God our saviour,
for you have remembered us,
your humble servants.
Mighty God, we celebrate
the great things you have done for us—
your name is holy!
From one generation to another
you have shown mercy on those who honour you.
You have stretched out your mighty arm,
scattering the conceited,
confusing their schemes.
You bring down tyrants
and lift up the lowly;
you fill the hungry with good things,
but send the rich away empty.
You have kept your promises to us;
you have come to our help;
you will show your people your love for ever;
our hearts praise you, O Lord.  Amen.

~ written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/

Confession: The Gift of Time


Here’s a prayer of confession written by Anna from Grace Church, an alternative worship community in Ealing, London.

Prayer of Confession

O God, you are slow to anger and swift to have mercy;
Forgive us when we treat time as a commodity or an enemy,
when we abuse your gift of time.
In our fastness and our slowness,
help us to keep pace with you.
Free us to live in your time, a new time,
in which there is a time for everything under heaven,
and slow is not too slow, and fast is not too fast.
Transform us into people who see time as a gift and a friend,
who live as if we have time,
because we know that your time will never cease.
Through Jesus we pray, Amen.

~ written by Anna, and posted on the Grace website worship archive.  http://www.freshworship.org/

Christmas Benediction


Here’s a thoughtful closing blessing for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day from Cheryl Lawrie.

Christmas Blessing

The story tells us
that it’s those who wait in the world’s shadows
who are the first to know of the Christ-child,
born into darkness
bringing great light.
So leave here today
to be carriers of the rumour of peace
and the truth of love
into a world longing for light.
Pray for the justice another is waiting for,
and speak of the hope another needs to breathe
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all
Amen.

— written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on her blog [hold this space] http://holdthisspace.org.au/  

Christmas Call to Worship: Come Away


Here’s a call to worship for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  It was written by Ruth C. Duck.

Christmas Call to Worship
 
Come away, come away, come today to Bethlehem.

Come adore on bended knee, one whose birth the angels sing.

Come away, come away from your noisy celebration,
to a place of quietness and peace.

Come with wonder, come with awe.
Take your place among sheep and cattle.

Sing with joy, praise God, for the time of promise has come.
Sing the good news of Emmanuel:  God-with-us!
The Christ has come!

Come away, come away, come today to Bethlehem. Amen.           

~ Ruth C. Duck in Bread for the Journey.  Posted on the Andrew Chapel UMC Church website. http://andrewchapel-umc.org/

Christmas Confession


Here’s a prayer of confession for Christmas.  I can’t seem to find the name of the original author.  If you know who wrote it, let me know so that I can give him/her appropriate credit.

Christmas Prayer of Confession

God, we confess that ours is still a world
In which Herod seems to rule: 
The powerful are revered,
The visions of the wise are ignored,
The poor are afflicted
And the innocent are killed.
You show us that salvation comes
In the vulnerability of a child,
Yet we hunger for the “security” of weapons and walls.
You teach us that freedom comes in love of service,
Yet we trample on others in our efforts to be “free.”
Forgive us, God, when we look to the palace
Instead of the stable,
When we heed politicians more than prophets.
Renew us with the spirit of Bethlehem,
That we may be better prepared for your coming.

~ author unknown.  Posted on the website of the First Congregational Church of Greenwich. http://www.fccog.org/

Nativity Reflection: First Coming


Here’s a Nativity reflection from Madeleine L’Engle.

First Coming

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

~ Madeleine L’Engle, in Cry Like a Bell, 57. Posted on Growing in Grace. http://carolinemccain.wordpress.com/

Call to Worship Litany: Isaiah 12: 2-6


Here’s a call to worship litany based on Isaiah 12: 2-6.  It was written by Jann Cather Weaver.

Call to Worship Litany
(based on Isaiah 12: 2-6)

Surely God is our Salvation!
We will trust and not be afraid!
For God is our Strength and Song—and our only Salvation.

With joy we will draw water from the Wells of Salvation.
And we will say in that day—
“Give thanksgiving to God!
Call upon God’s Name!
Make known God’s deeds among all the nations—
Proclaim the Power of God!”

Sing praises to God for all the marvelous things—
let them be known in all the earth.”
“Sing and shout for Joy, O People of God!
For great in our midst
Lives
The Holy One of God.”

~ Jann Cather Weaver

Benediction: Philippians 4: 4-7


Here’s a closing benediction from Michael Perry.  It’s based closely on Philippians 4: 4-7.

Benediction
(based on Philippians 4: 4-7)

Rejoice in the Lord always,
show gentleness to all,
do not be anxious,
make your needs known to God
  by prayer, with thanksgiving;
and the peace of God
guard your heart and mind
  in Christ Jesus. Amen.

~ written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/

Call to Worship: Isaiah 12: 2-6


Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 12:2-6.

Call to Worship
(inspired by Isaiah 12: 2-6)

Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things!
Tell the whole world what He has done.
Give thanks to God, and praise God’s name!
For God is great and God is here—with us and among us.
God is our strength and our song.
We will trust in Him and not be afraid.

Benediction: Advent 3 C

Here’s a closing benediction inspired by the suggested scripture readings for the third Sunday of Advent (Year C).  It was written by Bruce Prewer.
 
Benediction
(inspired by Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 12:2-6)

With joy may you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Amen!

The health of the living God is among you and within you.
Go out into the world buoyantly and boldly.
Thanks be to God!

The laughter of the saving Christ,
the cheerfulness of the lively Spirit,
and the joy of the everlasting God, be with you now and always.
Amen !

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.  http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Prayer of Petition: Philippians 4: 4-7

Here’s a prayer of petition based closely on Paul’s letter to the Philippians 4:4-7.  It was written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.

Prayer of Petition
(based on Philippians 4: 4-7)

God of peace,
cause us to rejoice in you always,
make us gentle to everyone,
keep us from being anxious about anything—
help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving;
and let your peace
guard our hearts and minds
in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

~ written by Michael Perry in Bible Praying.  Posted on The Jubilate Group website. http://www.jubilate.co.uk/

Call to Worship: Zephaniah 3: 14-17


Sing, O daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart!
Lift up your voice in praise!
For God has reversed his judgment against you
and has scattered your enemies.
So celebrate and sing for joy!
For God – our mighty Saviour – is present among you now.

Confession: Luke 1: 46-55


Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Prayer of Confession
(inspired by Luke 1:46-55)

Every notion we have about power, success,
wealth, and achievement,
God takes and tosses out the window.
More importantly, God comes to us,
to upset our notion that we have to save ourselves.
In Jesus, God comes to us,
removing our sin, our failures, our expectations,
so we might have new life.
Please join me as we pray, saying,

We confess we are not the people you hope us to be, Advent God.
The very ones you favor, we too often ignore or ridicule.
The ones you knock off their pedestals,
we admire and emulate.
We are so focused on having more and more,
we risk being sent away empty. 

Forgive us, Mighty God,
and look with grace upon us.
We would live secure in your love;
we would be the ones of peace for our world,
we would seek to do your will,
as did Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,
in whose name we pray.

Silence is kept

Even now—yes, even in this very moment,
God comes to us,
   bringing hope,
      bringing forgiveness,
         bringing grace as freely offered gifts to us.
May we open our hearts to the God who is with us,
and receive the gifts which have been offered to us.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

I Believe: A Nativity Affirmation


Here’s an affirmation of faith suitable for Advent and Christmas.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Affirmation of Faith

I believe in the Living God
who is directly involved in the affairs of the world.

I believe that God chooses the meek and the poor
to shame the proud and the rich.

I believe in the incarnate Word,
leaping in a woman’s womb, cradled in poverty.

I believe in Jesus, true son of Mary, true Son of God,
who came among us in weakness,
that we might come to know the profound strength
available to common people
who turn to God in trust and with love.

Yes, my friends, this I truly believe.

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.  http://www.bruceprewer.com/

New Year's Prayer: Step by Step


Here’s a prayer for the New Year from Joanna Harader’s Spacious Faith blog.

Prayer for the New Year

God of new life,
God of life made new,
We begin this new year as we ended the last–
embraced by your spirit of love
   your presence of peace
   your gentle power.
We leave behind the old year in the knowledge that
   whatever we have done in the service of selfish desire;
   whenever we have participated in injustice;
   however we have strayed from Jesus’ way;
You have forgiven us.
Lead us now into the abundant life of the new year.
Give us eyes to glimpse your presence in each moment.
Give us ears to hear the quiet promptings of your Spirit.
Give us hearts open to the joy and the pain of the lives that surround ours.
We set our feet
once again
on the way walked by Jesus.
These steps of peace may be difficult
   in a terrain that slopes toward violence.
These steps of justice may prove tiring
   as we walk against the winds of injustice.
These steps of love may be painful
   with so much hatred to step over and bump up against.
Give us the wisdom
Give us the strength
to take these steps anyway.
Each day a new step.
Each step a faithful movement toward your kingdom.
Each step taken only by your grace
only in your power
our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
Amen.

— written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith blog. http://spaciousfaith.com/     

Blessing: The Gift of Stillness


Here’s a blessing written by Brother David Steindalrast.

Blessing

May you grow still enough to hear
   the small noises earth makes in preparing for the long sleep of winter,
      so that you yourself may grow calm and grounded deep within.

May you grow still enough to hear
   the trickling of water seeping into the ground,
      so that your soul may be softened and healed,
         guided in its flow.

May you grow still enough to hear
   the splintering of starlight in the winter sky
      and the roar at earth's fiery core.

May you grow still enough to hear
   the stir of a single snowflake in the air
      so that your inner silence may turn into hushed expectation.

Peace..... the angel announced.
But peace is as much task as gift.

Only if we become calm as earth,
   fluid as water,
      and blazing as fire
will we be able to rise to the task of peacemaking,
and the air will stir with the rush of wings of angels arriving to help us.

This is why I wish you that great inner stillness
which alone allows us to speak, even today,
   without irony of "peace on earth"
   and, without despair, to work for it.

—written by Brother David Steindalrast, OSB, on the Process and Faith website.

Prayer of Praise: Luke 1: 46-55

Here’s a paraphrase of Luke 1: 46-55 from Jonny Baker’s Worship Tricks website.

magnificat

My soul reaches out to God.
My Spirit rejoices in my Saviour
God sees that the humble heart is open
And implants his vision into it.

We are wombs of the Divine
Through giving birth to vision all generations can be blessed.

Those who revere God will find her merciful
But the proud will see only judgments.

Those who empty themselves of selfishness will be lifted up to God,
But those who cling to power cannot be lifted.

Those who are satiated have no room to receive
But the hungry will be filled with good things.

~ Worship Trick No.29 on Johnny Baker’s Worship Tricks website. http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/worship_tricks/wt67.html

Gospel Reflection: Luke 1: 46-55


Here’s an honest  reflection on Mary’s song of praise (the Magnificat) in Luke 1:46-55.  It was written by Rev. Liz Crumlish.

Magnificat
(inspired by Luke 1: 46-55)

“How I rejoice in God my Saviour!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and now all generations will call me blessed.”  Luke 1:46-57

Blessed?
They call me blessed?
Well, I’d like to know what part of blessed
I’m failing to understand.
Is it blessed to have pregnancy sickness all day every day?
Is it blessed to have fingers so swollen
I couldn’t wear my ring – even if I had one?
Is it blessed to be gossiped about on street corners
and have folk turn their backs on me
when I walk down the street?
Is it blessed to be so bone wearying tired?
Is it blessed to have no one believe me
when I tell them about the angel?
Is it blessed to want so much to do God’s will
when it causes so much grief?
Blessed – so this is what it feels like!

~ written by Rev Liz Crumlish and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer for New Year's Day


Here’s a prayer for New Year’s Day from William Loader.

New Year’s Prayer

We come like the magi,
as wise and as foolish men and women,
to kneel before the Christ child.
We bring our regrets from the past year,
our shame, our guilt,
acknowledging our failures and ready to begin afresh
Touch us with your hand of forgiveness
Help us also to forgive ourselves

We come like the shepherds,
from out on the rough hills of life,
bringing our memories
of danger, of suffering, of grief,
bearing our own hurts
and carrying the pain of those around us,
like lost lambs in our arms. 
Sing to us your peace
Shine on us with the glow of your gentle comfort

We come like Mary and Joseph,
excited by new life,
promises of hope,
joys remembered from the past year, progress made,
achievements that light up our year.
Glory to God in the highest!
Take us on to Jerusalem!

We come also like Mary and Joseph
and the baby, fleeing from Herod,
at one with all who seek asylum
and languish too long in detention centres,
and with those who have not escaped
but wait for liberation
We open our hearts to make room for all whom you love
Move us and all who have power to move mountains.

We come like the baby wrapped in cloth
and laid in an animals' feeding trough,
looking at the faces of children everywhere
who suffer the effects of poverty and malnourishment,
and remembering those who still suffer
the impact of natural disasters
such as earthquakes, tsunamis
and failed crops. 
Speak to us through the cries of the baby Jesus
and the cries of all children.
Feed us with the good news of his gospel of love.

And now we must go to our Nazareth,
our Galilee, our Jerusalem, our New Year.
You will announce good news to the poor
and we want to be there.
You will reach out to the marginalised
and we want to be there.
You will meet us in deep communion,
in brokenness and life poured out
and we want to be there

We will stand by your cross
and share your risen life.
We greet you with the palms of peace:
Hosanna in the highest!
Welcome to our Jerusalem!
Welcome to our New Year!
Amen

~ written by William Loader.  For more of his excellent writings, see this web page. http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/reflectiveindex.html

Benediction: Into the Future


Here’s a benediction that would work well on New Year’s Eve, or at a graduation ceremony.  It was written by Cheryl Lawrie.

Benediction

we leave today
going into a future
as yet unmapped

take faith with you as you go;
into the parts of your life not yet traveled by love
into the parts of the world unexplored by grace
let compassion and hope be the roads that you follow
today and always
amen.

— written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/