"A Uniform For God's People"

Call to Worship

L: We who knelt in the stable— P: Let us come and kneel in the temple! L: Let our hearts give thanks, and our hands rejoice! P: Let our spirits sing, and our bodies dance! L: O children, enter the house of the Lord! P: Enter God's presence, and be reborn!

Invocation

O Spirit, rise up from the earth to be with us in this place; descend from the heavens to be with us in this time. We have gathered to worship you, for such is the beginning of wisdom. In worship, we begin to grasp that, compared with yours, the vast scope of our minds is confined; that the steady scale of our hearts is unsure; that the masterful skill of our hands is common.

Invitation to the Offering

In response to the news that she would bear God’s Son, Mary offered herself as God’s servant, and then sang a song celebrating her selection to help bring God’s realm on earth. We have been chosen to continue to build up the kingdom of God, so we, too, have reason to celebrate. Having praised God through song and scripture, let us now offer our tangible signs of gratitude, confident that God’s promises will be fulfilled through the ministries supported by our gifts.

Offering Prayer

Dear God, you blessed Mary by making her the mother of your only Son, Jesus Christ. You have blessed us, as well, with the gift of your Son, and indeed, with the gift of life itself. Out of all these blessings, we give you back these offerings this day. Knowing that your promises will be fulfilled, we pledge our lives to you in anticipation of the coming of the one who brings us peace. Amen.

Prayer

God, who walks with each one of us, help us to place our trust in your guiding care for us as we gather to learn the great lessons of living in peaceful community with each other. Prepare us to be witnesses of your love and forgiveness. Make us ready to work for you in your creation; for we ask this in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son. AMEN.

Colossians 3:12-17 New International Version 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Benediction

People who have been found, loved, and forgiven, go into God's world bringing messages of peace, love and hope to all you meet. Be prepared for lives of service, helping others in all kinds of needs and situations. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”Go in peace. AMEN.