Liturgy

The new year, like a new born child,
is placed in our hands as the old year passes away.

The days and weeks to come are gifts from God;
they carry God’s blessing.

As a blessing we welcome them.
Our hope for the year ending is that all that was good in it remain with us and all that was harmful be left behind.

Bless us, O Lord, and bless the time and seasons yet to come.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Fill this new year with your kindness,
that we may be glad and rejoice
and work for your glory
all the days of our life.

We pray in the name of the Father, of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Congregational Prayer

Let us pray to God together as a community.

A new year has arrived and God is with us.
Praise be to you, O God.

In loving, in caring, in hoping and expecting,
God is with us and never lets us go.
God, live in us, God, live with us, God, live through us.

God, keep us faithful through the days that lie ahead.
Keep us caring as we see the pain that fills your world.
God, keep us serving as we seek to do your will.
God, live in us, God, live with us, God, live through us.

God, keep us loving toward neighbors near and far.
Keep us trusting through the uncertainties of life.
God, keep us sharing your generous abundance.
God, live in us, God, live with us, God, live through us.

Work in us and through us, O God.
Renew the calling you have given us here,
that we, in health and in joy, may work for the glory of your kingdom.

We ask and pray to our God, in community, Holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

What are the things in your life that don’t make sense right now?
How can we live in the hope of Christ this coming year?

Benediction

Go now, as the Spirit of God has called you:

to be a waiting people of grace,
to be a waiting people of truth,
to be a waiting people who pursue peace,

to be a people who forgive
and to be a waiting people who love.

May God lead and guide you this year
in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by laura taylor. @ Flickr]