Liturgy

Lord, as this new year dawns, welcome.
Welcome into our world and into our lives.

Sow light in our hearts.
Let it germinate and grow
and bring forth fruit.
Birth in us something new.

Let your peace take root.
Nurture it, encourage it to flourish.

Let your love blossom
with the fragrance of
patience and compassion.

Let it strengthen forgiveness
and understanding.

Let your life emerge
in us, through us, around us,
bringing newness to all it touches.

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

Community Confession

A new year coming, and God is with us.
In loving and in carrying, 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,
God, keep us caring in the pain that fills your world,
God, keep us serving as we seek to do your will,

Jesus, live in us,
Jesus, live with us,
Jesus, live through us.

God, keep us loving neighbors near and far,
God, keep us trusting through the uncertainties of life,
God, keep us sharing from your generous abundance.

Spirit, live in us,
Spirit, live with us,
Spirit, live through us.

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

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 01.01.17 – Blessing

What might it look like for you to spend more time in the shine of a face than the shine of a screen in the year to come?
How might you serve as priest, a go-between, to another who needs to receive the blessing of YHWH?

Benediction

Go in peace, love and care
for one another in the name of Christ,

and may the blessing of God who established
heaven and earth fill your hearts and pour forth
from you upon all people,

may the blessing of the Lord who is
born anew each Christmas time call
you towards a new tomorrow;

and may the blessing of the Spirit
who refreshes and renews all creation
guide and lead you as you enter the new year.

We pray 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 Gordon Hart @ Flickr]