Welcome to Saint David s United Church
Lighting of the Christ Candle Leader: A keeper of the Law walked up to Jesus and asked him, Teacher, what is the greatest commandment? Jesus replied, Love God with all that you are.
Lighting of the Christ Candle Leader: As the man turned away to think about what he had heard, Jesus said, Wait, there is a second one just like the first: Love your neighbour in the same way you are to love yourself.
Lighting of the Christ Candle Leader: The great commandment shines on and shines through all things: the writings of the law, the words of the prophets, every moment of our lives! All: In every moment, Christ s light shines! Alleluia!
Hymn: VU 374 Come and Find the Quiet Centre
Come and Find the Quiet Centre Come and find the quiet centre In the crowded life we lead, Find the room for hope to enter, Find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, Clear our eyes, that we can see All the things that really matter, Be at peace, and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us, Cools the heat and slows the pace, God it is who speaks and names us, Knows our being, face to face,
Making space within our thinking, Lifting shades to show the sun, Raising courage when we re shrinking, Finding scope for faith begun.
In the spirit let us travel, Open to each other s pain, Let our loves and fears unravel, Celebrate the space we gain:
There s a place for deepest dreaming, There s a time for heart to care, In the Spirit s lively scheming There is always room to spare!
Leader: Be still and know that God is. People: God was, also, in the beginning.
Leader: And when all human striving has ceased. People: God will still be.
Leader: From everlasting to everlasting. People: God is God and alone is worthy to be worshipped. Leader: Let us sing praise to our God.
Holy Sacred Spirit Holy sacred Spirit, Breathe your breath on us. Holy sacred Spirit, Breathe your life in us.
All: Loving God, we come to you with hungry hearts, waiting to be filled: waiting to be filled with a sense of your presence; waiting to be filled with the touch of your spirit; waiting to be filled with new energy for service. Come to us, we pray.
Be with us as we take the time out to be still. Touch us. Empower us as your people that we might worship you here and act in the world for Jesus sake. Amen.
Holy Sacred Spirit Holy sacred Spirit, Breathe your breath on us. Holy sacred Spirit, Breathe your life in us.
Sacred Space ~ Pause, Pray, Reflect One: All: One: Hear the Word of scripture. In the Spirit we will listen. Pause. Pray. Reflect. And in silence enjoy this moment of sacred space.
Ministry of Music
Time to Be Still
Invitation to the Table
Bread of Life Bread of life, feed my soul, As the presence of the spirit makes me whole. Bread of life, fill my heart With the grace and mercy you impart.
I have heard your voice calling, Come, my friend, and share In the feast that is laid out for you To show how much I care.
Bread of life, help me live A life as pure and true as Jesus did. Bread of life, help me see The boundless love of Christ for you and me.
I have heard your voice calling, Come, my friend, and share In the feast that is laid out for you To show how much I care.
Bread of life, feed my soul, As the presence of the spirit makes me whole. Bread of life, fill my heart With the grace and mercy you impart.
Leader: God is with us. People: We are not alone. Leader: Christ is present here. People: The Spirit is among us.
Leader: Let us give thanks to God. People: In memory and hope.
Leader: Eternal God, Maker of heaven and earth, we join with all your people to give you thanks and praise. You formed the universe in your wisdom and created all things by your grace.
Leader: We praise you for all your good gifts: the witness of saints and prophets; the work of faithful people; this earth in all its blessing and promise; and this bread, once scattered, now brought together and made one.
Leader: In the hope that your people may be brought together from the ends of the earth into your reign of justice and compassion, we gather with those of ever time and every place to give you praise and glory as we join the song of all creation to proclaim your goodness:
Sung: Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might; Holy, holy, holy, Heaven and earth proclaim thee. Holy, holy, holy, Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes, who comes in your name. Hosanna in the highest.
Leader: On the night before he died, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it, and gave it to those who sat with him saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
Leader: In the same way he took the cup saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Leader: Loving God, we rejoice in the gift of your grace, remembering Christ s life and death, proclaiming his resurrection, waiting in hope for his coming again. Grant that in praise and thanksgiving, we may so offer ourselves to you that our lives may proclaim the mystery of faith:
Sung: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come, come again.
Leader: By these signs of bread and wine, we recognize the longings of all our hearts for a time when all humanity will be one family when justice and compassion will be the way we live according to the One we seek. Holy Spirit, hover over our lives, uniting us in these signs and strengthening us to live the resurrected life of Christ in the world.
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Leader: Heart of life, though we live in a world of need, People: Here we ve tasted your goodness and hungered for a world more just.
Leader: Though afflicted by brokenness and division, People: Here we ve heard your call to be a people of healing community.
Leader: Though daily we touch our limits, People: Here we ve received the fullness of your grace.
Leader: Send us forth, O God, People: In faith, in hope, and in love. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial And deliver us from evil For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Now and forever.
Offering
Offertory Prayer
Grant Us, God, the Grace Grant us, God, the grace of giving, With a spirit large and free, That ourselves and all our living We may offer faithfully.
Prayers of the Community
Hymn: VU 438 The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended, The darkness falls at thy behest; To thee our morning hymns ascended, Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping, While earth rolls onward into light, Through all the world her watch is keeping, And rests not now by day or night.
As o'er each continent and island The dawn leads on another day, The voice of prayer is never silent, Nor dies the strain of praise away.
The sun that bids us rest is waking Our brethren 'neath the western sky, And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
So be it, Lord: thy throne shall never, Like earth's proud empires, pass away; Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever, Till all thy creatures own thy sway.
Go Now in Peace Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with you Each hour of every day. Go now in faith, Steadfast, strong and true. Know God will guide you In all you do.
Go now in love, And show you believe. Reach out to others So all the world can see. God s always here, Holding us in love. Go now in peace, In faith, and in love.