November 15, 2015 "HANNAH'S GREAT LONGING"

THE APOSTLES’ CREED FOR THE COMMUNITY
We believe in God, the all-powerful Sovereign of the Universe, the loving Abba Father,
the creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, God’s only Son, conceived by The Spirit of God,
and born of Mary.
Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate.
He was crucified, died, and was buried.
On the third day God raised Jesus from the dead.
We believe in the risen Christ, ascended into heaven,
and seated at the right hand of God Almighty.
We believe that Jesus shall come again, one day, to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the church universal, and the communion of saints.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Wondrous and merciful God, we focus our minds in this hour of worship, seeking connection not only with you, but with each other. Our bond is special, not just one of friendship, but one of kinship in Christ. We find our way to this sanctuary not out of a sense of duty, or routine, but to satisfy the longing of our spirits to be in communion with you. Today we confess a degree of cynicism brought on by hold-buttons and customer service personnel trained to explain — in the nicest and quickest way possible — all of the reasons why their company “can’t help” us. We long for life to be simple in an extremely complex society. When we see those in our midst who are lost and ruined we wonder how they managed to get themselves into the messes they have gotten themselves into. Give us the stamina and patience, dear LORD, to help as we can, knowing that you are the ultimate giver of peace and healing. All this we are wont to pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
OFFERING INVITATION
We have all had longings in our lives. When we were little, we may have longed for a particular toy like Ralphie’s longing for the Red Ryder Rifle in A Christmas Story. Maybe we longed for a puppy or a kitten, or a house like little Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street. As we grew up, it is likely we longed for the love of a particular woman or man, children, a good or better job, good health, a warmer climate, and security in our old age. We may have believed, in the time of innocence or maturity, that having the thing we longed for would somehow abate the feeling, cure the longing, fill an empty place, appease some desire, or satisfy a hunger, but I think longings are invitations. They are invitations from God to open ourselves to God’s possibilities.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Glorious God, grateful for all of your blessings, these gifts assert our longing to be effective as Christ’s body at work in the world. Together we are transforming ourselves and the church as the world around us longs for healing. Guide our vision, our hearts and our efforts, in service to you, we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.