CALL
TO WORSHIP
As
people of peace, we gather for worship
Here
we take a few more steps along the road leading to a manger in
Bethlehem
As
servants who follow the Servant,
we
come to sing and pray and listen, we come to be renewed in our
worship together.
As
those who both serve and are served, we greet our fellow servants
with words and signs of God's amazing peace...
OPENING
PRAYER
God
of peace,
we
live in a world where peace is most often noted by its absence.
God
of peace,
we
come to this place in search of the peace that passes understanding.
God
of peace,
in
our worship today remind us of the one who brings sight to the blind
and releases us from our captivity.
God
of peace,
fill
us with peace, that we would carry peace to the world around us.
Amen.
PRAYER
FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God
of peace that flows through justice,
we
know that justice is too often absent in our world, and so peace
becomes just a word.
In
this season of preparation,
help
us remember that Jesus was born into a broken world, and yet
proclaimed that it would be mended.
As
those who follow Jesus,
help
us share the light with the nations.
And
for those times when we add to the broken-ness and darkness of the
world,
in
your grace correct us and steer us back to the path of wisdom.
...time
of silent prayer...
People
look East, the time is near! Love the Lord is on the way! Into this
world of pain and injustice comes the Prince of Peace, the Servant
who binds up the broken and proclaims the forgiving love of God. WE
are forgiven, we are given sight, we are released from captivity.
This is news of great joy for all people!
Glory
to God in the highest! Amen.
COMMISSIONING:
As
our worship ends we return to a world that is also preparing for
Christmas
shopping
and wrapping and baking and planning.
We
return to the world where we live and serve,
pledging
to share the Peace of Christ, the promise of healing justice with a
hurting world.
Go
with God, to share the song of the Angels “Peace on Earth and Good
will to All”.
God
is with us, born in our midst. Glory to God! Alleluia!
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