Litany Of Confession
Leader: The shadows lengthen; the world hides in a winter’s sleep.
All: Interrupt our lives.
Leader: We plan our days; we move from event to event.
All: Interrupt our lives.
Leader: The poor cry for bread; we pretend not to hear.
All: Interrupt our lives.
Leader: We protect ourselves from those we fear.
All: Interrupt our lives.
A time for silent reflection
Leader: May God’s...
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Litany of Confession
Leader: Wild animals flourish around us,
All: and prowl within us.
Leader: Injustice and inequity surround us,
All: and hide within us.
Leader: Vanity and pride divide us,
All: and fester within us.
A time for silent reflection
Leader: O God, may your love free us,
All: and may your Spirit live in us. Amen.
Prayer Of The Day
Leader: Come, O Lord, and pour your Spirit upon u...
Psalm 145:5-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:1-19, James 5:7-10
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering Prayer: Litany Of Expectation
Leader: Waiting in our darkness,
All: slammed doors and stifled cries,
Leader: a phone that doesn’t ring,
All: a child who hasn’t returned home,
Leader: waiting in our darkness;
All: we remember your promise, and we are not alone.
Leader: O God of all the ages, we pray that you would come to us who long to see you, who long to hear your voice. Breathe life i...
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Issaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering
Leader: To all God’s beloved in (fill in the name of your community) who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.
Hymn And Prayer For Lighting The Fourth Advent Candle
Sing verse 4 of the hymn chosen for Advent 1.
Burn brightly in our hearts, Lord, and lead us home.
Offertory Prayer
Leader: Great shepherd of our lives,
Al...
Psalm 34:1-10, 22, Matthew 5:1-12, 1 John 3:1-3, Revelation 7:9-17
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering
The Revelation text may be used as a Gathering/Call to Worship. Have the Pastor/Leader speak verses 9, 10a, 11, 13a, and 14a and b. The congregation would speak 10b. The choir may sing 12b. (The opening phrase of “Blessing And Honor” would work well.) A second reader, who is among the elders of your congregation, would speak 14c-17. The hymn “Blessing And Honor” may be played softly duri...
Psalm 47:1-9, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Service Notes
On this Thursday evening, gather for a potluck, guided conversation, hymnfest, and closing Eucharist. Let the theme be on what it means to be a witness (Acts 1:1-11). Just why is it that Jesus had to go away? What does it mean to be a witness? Have any of them been called to be a witness in a court setting? What characteristics make for a good witness? Have a general discussion about...
Psalm 29:1-11, Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
A Service Of Renewal
Gathering (may also be used for Gathering on Epiphany 3)
Leader: Light shining in the darkness,
All: light never ending.
Leader: Through the mountains, beneath the sea,
All: light never ending.
Leader: In the stillness of our hearts,
All: light never ending.
Leader: In the water and the word,
All: light never ending. Amen.
Hymn Of Praise
Baptized In Water or Praise And Thanks...
Psalm 95:1-7a, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 1:15-23
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Prayer Of The Day
Leader: O Christ our King, bring us together under your gracious rule that we might hear your voice in the voices of the suffering among us, and begin to love as freely as you have loved us, for with the Father and the Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever.
All: Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
Leader: Let us pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glor...
Psalm 148:1-14, Isaiah 63:7-9, Matthew 2:13-18, Hebrews 2:10-18
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Greeting And Opening Litany
Leader: Brothers and sisters, we gather on this day in the name of the one who has bound himself to us in love, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: Sent from heaven and born in our lives,
All: let us rejoice at the presence of Christ among us.
Leader: Out of Egypt and into the land of Israel,
All: he calls us his brothers and sisters.
Leader: Abounding in steadfa...
Psalm 147:12-20, Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:(1-9), 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering Litany
Leader: O God, who created our world with a single word,
All: shine on us this day.
Leader: O God, who created our lives with a single word,
All: shine on us this day.
Leader: O God, who gave us the power to believe with a single word,
All: make us your children. Amen.
Prayer Of The Day
Leader: Gather us in, ever-living God. Gather us in and fill our hearts with your joyous dance...
Two readers are needed: one male and one female. The text can be expressively read with one person at the pulpit and one at the lectern or with both seated on high stools in the chancel area. No special costuming is required. Each scene may be separated by a verse of the hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Scene One
Mary: Joseph, are we there yet?
Joseph: No, Mary, Bethlehem is hours away. I coul...
Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-7, Titus 2:11-14
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering
Leader: Born into this world,
All: born into our lives,
Leader: God made flesh.
All: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.
Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child
Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.
Intercessory Prayers
After eac...
Psalm 16:1-11, John 20:19-23, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
A Gospel Litany
Divide the congregation into two parts, or have two individuals speak from within the congregation.
I: The Easter dinners have ended.
II: Homework, housework, travels, we’re back on the same schedules.
Leader: Peace be with you.
I: Has anything changed?
II: Is there a difference?
Leader: Peace be with you.
I: Nations and their peoples still rage;
II: children still suffer, the pain...
Psalm 116:1-19, Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering Litany
Begin instrumental music for the Hymn of Praise when the spoken litany begins. A solo flute would be excellent.
Leader: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
All: we rejoice that you have been raised from the dead.
Leader: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
All: we rejoice in the gift of your Holy Spirit.
Leader: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
All: we rejoice in your pro...
Psalm 23:1-6, John 10:11-18, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Prayer Of The Day
Leader: Gracious Father, you sent your Son so that we might have life and have it abundantly. May we seek such goodness in our lives and desire it for others, so that gathered as one flock, all people would find their rest in our great shepherd, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
Begin each new petiti...
Psalm 31:1-5, John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Confession And Forgiveness
Leader: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold. As he prepares a place for us, let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.
Silence for reflection and self-examination
Leader: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,...
Psalm 66:8-20, John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Call To Confession
Rather than reading the Acts text at its appointed place, use it here as a Call To Confession/Repentance. It can be followed with a time of silence and the following absolution:
Leader: Risen from the dead, risen to new life, Christ Jesus calls you to live in him. May his goodness resound in your voices and may your lives be lived in praise.
In him you are a new creation. In hi...
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
As we move between the festivals of Ascension and Pentecost we are reminded on this day of the oneness that defines the church. Can you invite a congregation from another denomination to worship with you? Can you celebrate your common life as disciples of the living Lord? What a wonderful way to prepare for the coming of the season of Pentecost.
Prayer Of The Day
Leader: God of the swirling plane...
Greeting
(each set is increasingly louder)
Leader: He is risen.
All: He is risen, indeed.
Leader: He is risen.
All: He is risen, indeed.
Leader: He is risen!
All: He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Prayer Of The Day
Leader: Gracious Father, on this day of all days, when your love has conquered all, we lift our hearts to you in hope that such joy might know no end, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord...
Psalm 40:1-11, Isaiah 49:1-7, John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Gathering Chant
Divide the congregation into three parts: men’s voices, women’s and children’s voices, and choir. Begin with a steady drumbeat of quarter notes, then add men’s voices (“come and see”), then women’s and children’s (“water, water”), and when those are firmly established add the choir (“spirit”). Using hand gestures the pastor can change the volume and intensity of this spoken chant, ...
Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Isaiah 9:1-4, Matthew 4:12-17, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Litany Of Confession
Leader: Discord, dissention, strife,
All: anger, violence, hatred;
Leader: we confess to you, O God,
All: our schemes, our willful rebellion, our hidden hostilities toward your children.
Leader: We confess to you, O God,
All: our lack of trust in your presence, our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
Leader: We confess to you, O God,
All: our fear of speaking ...
Psalm 15:1-5, Micah 6:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Prayer Of Dedication/Gathering
Leader: Our Lord Jesus calls each of us to a life of justice, kindness, and humility. We pray that in this hour before us our defenses would fall and your love would be set free within us. Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, your mercy knows no end.
All: Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
Use the hymn “Blest Are They” as the basis for intercessory prayer on this morning. Have a...
Psalm 112:1-10, Isaiah 58:1-9a, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader: God calls us from our rebellion, from our bondage of sin to seek him and to delight in his ways. He calls us to fast in humility, to serve our neighbor, to share our bread with the hungry, and to bring the homeless poor into our houses. He calls free the bonds of the o...
Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:21-26, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Bulletin Aid
Amy C. Schifrin
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
The pastor proceeds with a reading of the Decalogue, and after each commandment, the congregation may respond,
All: Lord, have mercy.
Silence for self-examination and confession
Leader: O God of life,
All: you set before us all that we need to live together in peace. Break ...
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen,
Leader: God speaks to us, “I am the Lord, your God, you shall have no other gods before me.”
All: Lord, have mercy.
Silence for self-examination and confession
Leader: Most holy God,
All: you call us to a life of holiness. We confess to you our theft of your good gifts of ...