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.

Community Confession

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

We are incredibly stubborn, O Lord.
We have entered the season
in which your Light has been given to the world,

your blessings have been poured out on the world,
and yet all we can think about is our own problems,
our own needs, our own desires.

Help us to desire you, Lord.
Help us to yearn for your presence.
Pour your baptismal waters over us again,
cleansing us from our self-pity and arrogance.

Nourish and heal us so that we may joyfully serve you.
Wash away our jealousy, greed,
and all negative thoughts and behaviors
that stand in the way of our truly being
the people you have called us to be.

Let us receive the blessings offered in creation,
in the birth of Jesus,
and in the ministry you call us to participate in.

We pray to you, our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

Do we pursue mystery or certainty in our faith?
How can we pursue and embrace mystery to encounter and discover God?

Benediction

You, who are yourselves a blessing
who know that to feed
the hungering is to bless,

and to give drink to those who thirst is to bless,
who know the blessing in welcoming the stranger,

and giving clothes to those who have none,
who know to care for the sick is a blessing:

may the blessings you have offered
now turn itself toward you
to welcome and to embrace you
at the feast of the blessed.

May we remember this throughout the new year,
serving 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 Gnarggles @ Flickr]