Call to Worship for Transfiguration

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9,
Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

Beyond our busyness,
Above the cold winter floor
there is a glory rising born of heaven
and reaching out to each one of us

a light that shines through the clouds
an invitation seeking all of who we are
that transfigures the world

that transforms darkness into hope
that brings life from a cross
where old life ends and new life is born

In glory Jesus meets us here
raising us from depths of valley to the height of the mountain
carrying the weight of our humanity
to the heights of heavens glory.

Let us worship from the mountain and hear again
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”


~ written by Rev. Rob Smith, found at re:worship

Gathering Prayer for Un-Ordinary Time

Presider      God of the Lark,
God of the Aspen Grove,
we join with all your creatures
in a chorus of praise and worship.

All           We are upheld by your almighty hand;
all that we have and are is yours,
and we bow in gratitude before you.

Presider      May we echo the humble thanksgiving
sung out by cicada and tree frog,
who praise You and your provision without ceasing.

All           May we find delight in the labor you set before us,
as the hummingbird does.

Presider      May we lift our arms to you in praise
like the oak as it stretches skyward.

All           May we constantly sing your praises
like the wind that weaves through pine-needle
and sets them to resonating in joy.

Presider      May we open our hearts to your guidance
for our own sake and the sake of the world,
led by wisdom of the Spirit of Truth,
enlightened by the example of the Prince of Peace,
rooted deep in the verdant garden of the God of Life.

All           Holy Trinity, One God,
envelop us in your mercy and grace this day,

                  that we may be transformed by worship and prayer

              Into bold icons of your love and faithfulness in the world.

--Leslie Barnes Scoopmire, copyright 2023

We journey with you (Advent Prayer)

Advent God,
we journey with you,
to Bethlehem’s stable
and a new-born King,
ears attuned to the song of angels,
eyes alert for Bethlehem’s star.

Forgive us
if on our journey
if we are distracted
by the tempting offers
of this world.

Keep our hearts aflame
with the hope
of Christmas,
and the promise
of a Saviour.

Amen.

--written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship.

Gathering Prayer for Advent

From places deeply rooted,
we gather to light our advent candles.

From places yet undiscovered,
we gather to sing our advent songs.

From places still hidden in plain sight,
we gather to read our advent texts.

From places tangled with disappointment,
we gather to share our advent prayers.

-- From Re:Worship

Light of the World, Come (Advent Gathering Prayer)

In this Advent season we await the coming of Christ.
Light of the World, come.
Come to the oppressed and exploited,
Come to the despised and rejected,
Come to all in whom the divine image is distorted.

We wait in joyful expectation.
Come not as a man of power, but in love and compassion,
Come to the outcast – like the shepherds in the fields,
Come to foreigners – like Magi watching from afar,
Come to rich and poor, young and old, male and female,

We wait in hopeful anticipation.
Come to bless all creation with your love,
Come to bring salvation on the earth,
Come to rule with justice and in peace.
Come Light of the World, illuminate our path.

We wait with all the peoples of the earth,
Light of the World, we welcome your coming.

--From the Third Space website

Gathering Prayer

Gathered round a table
is where Jesus so often met people...

... gathered round the table of Matthew,
the table of Zacchaeus,
the table of Simon,
the table of Peter,
the table of Lazarus and Martha and Mary,
the tables of Joanna and Susannah...

... gathered round a table
where he could see people face to face,
listen to their stories, share their laughter.

And here,
we are gathered around a table
because this is the place where Jesus has promised to be
for those who want to meet him.

So accept his invitation
and feel welcome at this table.
Jesus Christ,
who here offers us a foretaste of eternal life,
invites us to be his guests.

-- from "A Liturgy for Holy Communion" in A Wee Worship Book, Fifth Incarnation, by John L. Bell and Graham Maule for the Iona Community, 2015