new conspirators: morning prayers

friday 29 february 2008 day 21 of lent purple conspiring with God in the city

opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers We acknowledge that we gather on the land known as Seattle, the city named after Chief Seattle of the Dwamish and Suquamish people who are the traditional guardians of this place. We honour this history and commit ourselves to care for the land with them. May our worship and our service be work for reconciliation between people and with our God.

(we say together …) Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. (silence while a candle is lit) Light of the world, shine on us. Light of the world, bring us peace. Light of the world, heal us, and heal this broken world through us. Amen The strong arms of God sustain you, And the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you in every way. Amen. opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

(we say together …)

Jesus Christ is the light of the

world.

The light shines in the darkness

and the darkness has not overcome it.

(silence while a candle is lit)

Light of the world, shine on us.

Light of the world, bring us peace.

Light of the world, heal us,

and heal this broken world through us.

Amen

The strong arms of God sustain you,

And the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you in every way.

Amen.

The Gathering Song (acapella) Gathered here in the mystery of the hour, Gathered here in one strong body, Gathered here in the struggle and the power Spirit draw near… opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

conspiring in the city opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers Confession (based on words by Cheryl Lawrie) Spirit of the living and loving God in the beginning there was only chaos and disorder but you saw beauty. Then you breathed life and hope into the world, and cities grew Spirit of the city-living and city-loving God in our cities today there is much chaos and disorder amidst the beauty. Spirit breathe life and hope into our cities In our lives in the city today there is much chaos and disorder as well as beauty, breathe courage to transform - those parts of us that stifle and destroy, our recklessness with others and ourselves, the things we do that damage and betray. Spirit breathe life into us, rebuild our hope and replenish the beauty in our lives so we can sense more clearly your presence around us in our cities.

Matthew 25 The Sheep and the Goats (The Message) 31-33 "When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34-36 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37-40 "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' 41-43 "Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because— I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.' 44 "Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' 45 "He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.' 46 "Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward." opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers silence for reflection

opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers Text Foy Vance – ‘Gabriel And The Vagabond’ There's a man in the corner and his clothes are worn And he's holding out his hand You could see in his eyes as the people walk by He knows they don't understand Ya see they just think he's gonna take their money And go and spend it all on dope Then a man stopped by and I saw a smile inside him As he gently whispered hope .... (see handouts for remainder of song)

opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers Text what would your ‘ gently whispering hope’ look like to a person or situation you are aware of ?

we say to each other… You are God’s servants, gifted with dreams and visions Upon you rests the grace of God like flames of fire. Love and serve the Lord in the strength of the Spirit. May the deep peace of Christ be with you, the strong arms of God sustain you, And the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you in every way. Amen. (Diane Karay Tripp) opening ritual call to worship meditation prayer of confession scripture reading / rant response benediction new conspirators: morning prayers