Call to Worship

Children of God, the arrival of the Promised One is almost here!

We wait as people of God’s promise.

The message of the prophets and the expectation residing in Mary’s womb call to us today.

We listen as people of God’s promise.

Mary’s “yes” and Elizabeth’s faithfulness guide our path, showing us that we too have a role to play in bearing God’s good news into the world.

We follow as people of God’s promise.

This is the promise Mary, Elizabeth, and the prophets bore that we continue to carry even today—God is with us!

God is with us! We are not alone. Thanks be to God!

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2024.

Opening Prayer

God of the impossible and unlikely,
God of pregnant old women and virgins,
you turn our conventional world upside down,
where the hungry are fed,
and arrogant rich are turned away.
Instill in us unthinkable marvels.
Make us pregnant with wonder
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen

Adapted from Bob Eldan. Posted on the Pilgrim Uniting Church website at https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=677.

Prayer of Confession

(in unison)

Holy God, you promised to do great things for us,
yet we do not trust you.
You extend your mercy to us,
yet we do not trust you.
You lift up the humble,
you fill the hungry with good things,
and yet we still do not trust you.
Forgive us, and help us to trust in the promises you have given us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Posted on Waiting for Water: Liturgy for The Easter Journey 2013 http://storage.cloversites.com/waitingforwater/documents/Liturgical%20resources%202013%2010%2018%2012.pdf. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/08/confession-luke-1-46-55.html.

Benediction

Go, now, in the blessing of God’s promise and in the assurance that our expectant joy will find its fulfillment in the God who was, who is, and who will be with us always. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2024.