CALL
TO WORSHIP
There
is a Light, a beacon, drawing us forward.
We
are drawn toward it, like moths to a flame
In
its warm glow we sing, we pray, we worship.
Here
we are refreshed, here we are nourished.
And
as we gather in the glow of the Christ Light we greet each other with
words and signs of Christ's peace
OPENING
PRAYER
God
of Christmas,
already
the angel song is fading, already we are starting to get back to our
routines.
God
of Christmas,
but
still we want to see the child, to be reminded of the hope he brings.
God
of Christmas, in this time of worship,
may
we join the visitors from the East, come to honour the one who has
been born to be King.
God
of Christmas, after our time of worship,
send
us back out to share the Good News of the season, even if there are
those who would try to extinguish the hope and possibilities it
brings.
This
we pray in the name of the newborn King, soon to be a refugee. Amen.
PRAYER
FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God
of light, like the Magi we are drawn into your light, into your
presence.
Like
them we want to bring our best to lay by your side.
God
of light, in every age there are those who live in fear, whose lives
are threatened simply because they live where and when they live.
Causing
them to flee to strange new places, to make home in new communities..
God
of light, when the shadows of the world loom on the horizon, when
they drive people to our doors
grant
us the grace, the strength, the wisdom to react appropriately, to
welcome the stranger as a neighbour.
God
of light, when those shadows make us afraid, when the fear makes us
less than we could be.
grant
us the grace, the strength, the wisdom, to choose another path.
..time
of silent prayer...
The
God revealed in the Christmas Child is gracious and giving. The God
revealed in the manger draws us to the light with mercy and
forgiveness and hospitality. The God revealed in the Christmas star
helps us to shine through the shadows of life.
Thanks
be to God! Amen.
COMMISSIONING:
We
have gathered to honour the one born to be King.
We
have been warmed by his light, we have been fed at his table.
We
have seen him forced to flee for his life.
We
have been reminded of our calling to see Christ in all those who flee
for their lives
And
now we leave this time of worship,
recommitting
ourselves to serve Christ, renewing our pledge to live as people of
love.
We
go out into the world to live, to love, to serve.
We
go out sure that God goes with us, in light and in dark we are not
alone. Thanks be to God.
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