Garments
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
We come to be clothed as children of God.
Indeed, we would put on the spirit of Christ.
This is truly a garment like no other.
How can we possibly learn to wear it?
Jesus himself gives the answer and shows us the way.
Let us then as we worship allow him full rein.
Invocation
God, you offer us that which is full and lasting - that which measures to the fullness of Christ, that which endures for all time even unto eternity. Life in your care and with your leading thus has meaning and purpose and presents each day as an exciting opportunity for growth and service. So do we come in worship to express our thanksgiving and to take on the challenge of your call. We look for your holy presence among us and wait attentively for that which you would share with us this hour. All, in Jesus' name and to proclaim his glory. Amen.
Call to Confession
We love to clothe ourselves in garments of our own making, purchased on credit, that we imagine will be paid for with the sweat of our hands and brow. These garments are often costly and lavish, well beyond our means, not linked well at all to the essentials of living. These decisions to acquire on many occasions lead us to bankruptcy. And then, pray tell, to whom can we turn? God invites us to turn to the Holy, to the true Provider, and there with humble and contrite heart to find life, life in abundance.
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy, God of purpose and accomplishment, we have good intentions, but how frequently we find ourselves traveling down side roads of our own making. Soon we are far from the center of being, far from the embrace of your caring and guiding love. We dress ourselves in garments that soon wear out, that identify us in ways detrimental to growth and joy. We want more out of life, but claim that we know not where to turn. Help us to recall, O God, that your invitation is still very much there - that we turn to you, not only to find relief from a past that is now burden, but to be marked by hope for life still to be received as gift. Here in your presence we find both a forgiveness and a direction. Thank you, God, for remaining near, for not abandoning us to our own desires and devices. We do now turn to you and ask that we might truly live the blessing of your mercy and power and love. In Jesus do we know this to be possible. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Hear these words of assurance, words of the Apostle Paul: "If anyone is in Christ, there one finds a new creation. Everything old has passed away; see, all has become new! All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself in Christ ... For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Praise God for dressing us in that garment which truly spells life for us - one that fits, that fulfills, one that is forever.
Psalter Reading (Psalm 130)
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!
Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning; more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Offering Sentences
What is an appropriate gift to the God who loves us? Can it be anything less than a life devoted in service to his name? Let us give from a depth of heart's devotion and from a conviction that daily finds its purpose renewed. Let us give all within our ability to give, gladly, and with the good of others in mind.
Prayer of Dedication
We depend upon your wisdom, O God; we depend upon your wisdom to direct us in the use of these gifts that we here present to your church. Move these offerings with a right spirit into those arenas of service where life--giving, life--enhancing words and acts are needed. May our witness thus be a true sign of your love. Amen.
Benediction
May all of us wear humbly those garments of life and love that show us to be children of God. May others, as they see us wear these garments faithfully, also turn to God - and so accept the abundance of good gifts that the Holy and Almighty One offers. Amen.
We come to be clothed as children of God.
Indeed, we would put on the spirit of Christ.
This is truly a garment like no other.
How can we possibly learn to wear it?
Jesus himself gives the answer and shows us the way.
Let us then as we worship allow him full rein.
Invocation
God, you offer us that which is full and lasting - that which measures to the fullness of Christ, that which endures for all time even unto eternity. Life in your care and with your leading thus has meaning and purpose and presents each day as an exciting opportunity for growth and service. So do we come in worship to express our thanksgiving and to take on the challenge of your call. We look for your holy presence among us and wait attentively for that which you would share with us this hour. All, in Jesus' name and to proclaim his glory. Amen.
Call to Confession
We love to clothe ourselves in garments of our own making, purchased on credit, that we imagine will be paid for with the sweat of our hands and brow. These garments are often costly and lavish, well beyond our means, not linked well at all to the essentials of living. These decisions to acquire on many occasions lead us to bankruptcy. And then, pray tell, to whom can we turn? God invites us to turn to the Holy, to the true Provider, and there with humble and contrite heart to find life, life in abundance.
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy, God of purpose and accomplishment, we have good intentions, but how frequently we find ourselves traveling down side roads of our own making. Soon we are far from the center of being, far from the embrace of your caring and guiding love. We dress ourselves in garments that soon wear out, that identify us in ways detrimental to growth and joy. We want more out of life, but claim that we know not where to turn. Help us to recall, O God, that your invitation is still very much there - that we turn to you, not only to find relief from a past that is now burden, but to be marked by hope for life still to be received as gift. Here in your presence we find both a forgiveness and a direction. Thank you, God, for remaining near, for not abandoning us to our own desires and devices. We do now turn to you and ask that we might truly live the blessing of your mercy and power and love. In Jesus do we know this to be possible. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Hear these words of assurance, words of the Apostle Paul: "If anyone is in Christ, there one finds a new creation. Everything old has passed away; see, all has become new! All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself in Christ ... For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Praise God for dressing us in that garment which truly spells life for us - one that fits, that fulfills, one that is forever.
Psalter Reading (Psalm 130)
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!
Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning; more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Offering Sentences
What is an appropriate gift to the God who loves us? Can it be anything less than a life devoted in service to his name? Let us give from a depth of heart's devotion and from a conviction that daily finds its purpose renewed. Let us give all within our ability to give, gladly, and with the good of others in mind.
Prayer of Dedication
We depend upon your wisdom, O God; we depend upon your wisdom to direct us in the use of these gifts that we here present to your church. Move these offerings with a right spirit into those arenas of service where life--giving, life--enhancing words and acts are needed. May our witness thus be a true sign of your love. Amen.
Benediction
May all of us wear humbly those garments of life and love that show us to be children of God. May others, as they see us wear these garments faithfully, also turn to God - and so accept the abundance of good gifts that the Holy and Almighty One offers. Amen.
