Christ Candle liturgy
Churches around the world light a candle symbolizing Christ in their midst. There is a unity in ritual and in the experience of the light of the candle. We are reminded that in all situations, Christ brings light and hope.
     Adapted Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Laura J. Turnbull

SUNG RESPONSE: VU 691 “Though Ancient Walls” V 1
1. Though ancient walls may still stand proud and racial strife be fact,
though boundaries may be lines of hate, proclaim God's saving act!
Walls that divide are broken down; Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside; Christ is our liberty!

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
God invites us to worship in humility and in unity.
We gather as one people, ready to worship.
Jesus asks us, “Who do you say I am?”
We are your followers, ready to do your will.
The Spirit empowers us to do God's work in this place.
We are God's people, following Jesus, ready to take up the commission of the Holy Spirit.
Then let us worship God.
     Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2 2024; Catherine Tovell

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God, a mark of our present world, particularly in more populated areas, is noise. We may get accustomed to it, become skilled at tuning it out, yet its presence doesn't diminish. It overwhelms much. Still, our scriptures tell us that this is where the voice of Wisdom can be heard, where your word, your guidance, and your call can be experienced: amid the chaos and the noise. In this time of worship, we have turned the noise of our lives down, but not eliminated it. It remains a part of us. Bless us with your voice, O God, amid the quiet and the noise, the stillness and the movement in this place. Amen.
     Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Bill Perry

3. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Are we ready to pay attention to scripture?
We are ready to receive the good news.
All who seek to understand God's truth, come and encounter the Holy One.
We are eager to encounter God's wisdom in this ancient text.
     Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 1- 2024; Laura Turnbull.

4. HYMN: “Bring Many Names” # 268 VU
1. Bring many names, beautiful and good,
celebrate, in parable and story,
holiness in glory,living, loving God.
Hail and hosanna! Bring many names!

2. Strong mother God, working night and day,
planning all the wonders of creation,
setting each equation, genius at play:
Hail and hosanna, strong mother God!

3. Warm father God, hugging every child,
feeling all the strains of human living,
caring and forgiving till we're reconciled:
Hail and hosanna, warm father God!

4. Old, aching God, grey with endless care,
calmly piercing evil's new disguises,
glad of good surprises, wiser than despair:
Hail and hosanna, old, aching God!

5. Young, growing God, eager, on the move,
saying no to falsehood and unkindness,
crying out for justice, giving all you have:
Hail and hosanna, young, growing God!

6.  Great, living God, never fully known,
joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
closer yet than breathing, everlasting home:
Hail and hosanna, great, living God!

5. REFLECTION:

6.  PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Wisdom shouts to us from the street corner and from the alleys of our hearts.
She calls, and we fail to notice her voice over the noise of common life.
How long must Wisdom raise her voice and we fail to pay attention?
How long will we block out her powerful voice of reconciliation and compassion?
How long will we fail to understand the beauty of the eternal message?
Restore us. Renew us. Surprise us with your love, O God.
For we need that love in times like these and in the times to come. May we discover and pay attention to your voice, which will encourage us to live faithfully and with eco-justice on our lips and in our actions. In the name of the Holy Spirit, we pray.  Amen.
     Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Jim McKean.

7.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Receive this Good News! On the seventh day of Creation, God finished work and rested. We are reminded that the Holy One loves us in our work and in our play. Be at peace, knowing that the love of God surrounds and enfolds you, today and every day.
     Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Mary Parsons.

8. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: New Creed, #918 VU

A NEW CREED

We are not alone,

we live in God's world.

We believe in God:

who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others,
by the Spirit.

We are called to be the Church:

to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen.
our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

God is with us.

9. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
God's gifts of wisdom are offered in this moment and in every moment. In Gratitude and grace, let us offer our gifts to God. As we present our morning offering.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
     Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

10. OFFERTORY: “For the Gift of Creation”# 538 VU
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love, and the gift of the Spirit by which we live, we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands. May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.

11.  PRAYER OF DEDICATON:
For your holy Word, O God, we give your thanks. For your enduring Wisdom, O God, we give you praise. For your call to speak truth, O God, we give you glory. Grant us the courage to share your gifts, this day and all days.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
     Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.

12. Prayers of the People and the Lords Prayer

13.  BLESSING
Sometimes we go out as if we had all the answers; we cry out as if the world has done us wrong. Then God's wisdom calls us to pause and reflect. We are called to go out in humility and service. We are called to go out as God's people in faith and trust. We are called to go out as God's generous and faithful people.
May God go with us, this day and always.
     Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Beth W Johnston

14.  THREE FOLD AMEN.

Next Sunday:  Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
        September 22, 2024:
         Proverbs 31:10-31;  Psalm 1;
         James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a;  Mark 9:30-37.

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