An
Ecumenical Celebration of the Word
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2003
“We hold this treasure – this gift – in earthen vessels...
therefore we do not lose heart...” (2 Corinthians 4:5-18)
“L(s)”
refers to leader(s) of worship. These are to be chosen from the churches
present at the worship. “C” refers to the cantor, who leads
the congregational singing. “A” refers to the assembly gathered
for worship.
Prelude
Opening
of the Worship: Procession, Hymn and Welcome
The lights of the worship space are dim. Leaders of the churches
present for the service and other liturgical ministers form the processional
body. A hymn accompanies the procession. The lector carries a Bible.
The cantor carries a clay lamp. These are placed on the table/altar
in the chancel/sanctuary. As leaders and ministers take their places,
the lights of the worship space are brightened. Making reference to
the scriptural text and theme of this year’s Week of Prayer, the
host church’s leader welcomes those gathered in the name of the
triune God. The host leader then invites the guest leaders to introduce
themselves and the church in which they serve.
Introit
L:
Our treasure is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.
A: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
has not overcome it.
L: Give thank to God, who made us fit for the holy
community of light and rescued us from darkness, bringing us into the
realm of Christ Jesus who redeemed us, forgiving our sins.
A: Gracious God, you are the fount of life. You give
us light and we see.
L: Our light must shine before others, that they may
see our good deeds and glorify God’s heavenly name.
A: O Lord, we are the clay, and you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Opening
Prayer
L:
Source of all, you have given us the light of your glory in the face
of Jesus Christ our Lord. We hold this treasure in our fragile earthen
vessels. May your Spirit keep this light burning brightly within us
that we become beacons of your life and share the treasure of your love
with the whole world. This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you together with the Holy Spirit, one God
forever.
A: Amen.
Confession
of Sin
A leader
of worship invites those gathered to join in the prayer of confession.
The prayer is by Reverend Pat Vowles, in Wendy S. Robins, ed.,
Let All the World..., London: USPG, 1990, p. 27.
All: We
confess that in our lives we do not always choose the way of peace.
We spread gossip which fans the flames of hatred. We are ready to make
any sacrifice when the world demands, but few when God invites. We worship
the false God of security. We hold out one hand in friendship, but keep
a weapon in the other behind our back. We have divided your body of
people into those we trust and those we do not. Hugh problems challenge
us in the world, but our greed, fear and selfishness prevent us from
uniting to solve them. Lord, we need your help and forgiveness, your
reconciling power. Amen.
Proclamation
of the Word of God
Lector:
One of the following Old Testament passages is chosen:
Leviticus 25:35-43 or Ruth 1:1-18.
Psalm
43:3-5 (chanted or recited)
C: O send out your light and your truth; let them lead
me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
A: Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding
joy; and I will praise you with the harp God, my God.
C: Why are you cast down, my soul, and why are you
disquieted within me?
A: Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help
and my God.
Lector:
2 Corinthians 4:1, 5-18.
L: One of the following gospel passages is chosen:
Matthew 28:16-20, Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 4:3-15 or Mark 7:1-9.
Hymn
Sermon
The sermon is preached by a leader of one of the guest churches
present.
Confession
of Faith
L:
O God, who through Jesus Christ the Lord of all the world and of the
church calls us to be one single body and to express your love, in the
confession of the same faith, we pray to you in all humility.
A: Grant us light and strength of faith to overcome
the shadows of evil which harm our communion of faith.
L: Pour out your love in our hearts that we may know
you and discern your creative and reconciling presence in the lives
of those around us.
A: Renew in us the gift of your Holy Spirit so that
by that same Spirit we may now proclaim together that Jesus Christ is
Lord; and that each human heart be touched in such a way that the barriers
which divide us fall down; that rumors fade away that hatred cease and
the wounds of disunion be healed; so that we may live in justice and
in peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offering
The host leader of worship designates the recipient of the offering
and invites all to participate in giving. Those taking up the collection
then approach the host leader who places the offering baskets with the
Bible and lamp on the table/altar. A hymn or musical presentation may
be sung during the collection.
Anthem
or Musical Presentation
Intercessions
Representative of the various churches present, those chosen to
make the intercessions gather around the table/altar, where they remain
until the Lord’s Prayer is recited. Remaining in place, a leader
of worship introduces and concludes the intercessions. Throughout or
after each prayer all chant a refrain to the Holy Spirit, i.e., Taizé’s
“Veni, Sancte Spiritus”.
We offer you the
treasure of our faith in the frailty of our personal witness, our communities
and our ecumenical achievements. Lord, renew in us your gifts of light,
strength and communion...
Confronted by
so much suffering and evil, we are submerged by despair, and we are
aware of our weakness, even to the point of doubting whether it is worth
reacting in favor of justice. Lord, help us to hear the witness of people
and communities who, under pressure from all sides, have continued to
hope and to act in the midst of distress...
Faced with the
demands of mission in the world and conscious of the importance of the
gospel which is entrusted to us, we can feel quite powerless. Lord,
give us confidence to confess our faith...
The ecumenical
movement sometimes loses its way as its seeks unity in faith, life and
witness. Through the coming together of our churches, Lord, inspire
this search.
A period remains
for ex tempore petitions, after which all sing or say the Lord’s
Prayer.
L:
The host leader gathers up these prayers in a spontaneous collect.
Closing
of the Worship: Dismissal, Recession, Hymn
If there are announcements, they are made prior to the worship’s
closing. After a brief silence, the lights of the worship space are
dimmed, letting the light of the clay lamp shine in the darkness. With
extended arms, the leaders of worship bless and dismiss the gathered
assembly using a spontaneous prayer or the Numbers 6:24-26 benediction.
The leaders of worship and other ministers depart from the place of
worship in the same way as they entered. The assembly follows. All regather
at the place of after-worship fellowship.
Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious
Institute
PO Box 300, Garrison, New York 10524-0300