Call to Worship

We gather again at the end of the year to wait for the Christ child anew.
We wait in the shocking hope of the coming of the Messiah.

We wait, and we remember the astounding things God has done to save God’s people.
We wait in the shocking hope of the coming of the Messiah.

We wait, and we pay attention for signs of God’s justice and mercy turning the world upside down.
We wait in the shocking hope of the coming of the Messiah.

We wait, and in our waiting, we learn to live as people of God’s promise.
Let us worship in the shocking hope of Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2023.

Prayer for the Day

God of justice and peace,
from the heavens, you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

From Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Posted on Revised Common Lectionary, Vanderbilt Divinity Library, https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//prayers.php?id=48.

Prayer of Confession

We confess that we are not ready. We call on you to rend the heavens and come down, and yet we aren’t ready for you to rend our hearts and enter in. When it comes to meeting you face-to-face, we hesitate. We fear what you will find in us and among us. We are uncertain that we really want our lives to be turned upside down by the good news. We want the hope that comes with knowing you are coming to us, but we’re not sure we’re ready for the shock of that hope. Forgive us, we pray. Free us from our fear that we might joyfully live in the hope that shakes us up and turns us around to follow you.

Silent confession.

Hear the good news:
God is the Potter, and we are the clay.
We are the work of God’s hand.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
you are forgiven.

In the name of Jesus Christ,
you are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2023.

Benediction

Beloved of God, keep awake! Stay alert! Pay attention to God at work all around you. And now, go from this place blessed to be bowled over by hope and shocked out of our complacency to watch and wait and join in the work of bringing God’s dream for all creation to life. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2023.