Color
White

Scripture Readings
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalm 8;
Revelation 21:1-6a;
Matthew 25:31-46

Theme Ideas

What time is it? This is the question we ask ourselves at the beginning of each new year. Is it a time to plant or a time to harvest? A time to throw away stones or a time to gather stones together? Is it a time to behold the new Jerusalem and see God among us or a time to see the weeping and pain of those who have no hope? Today's scriptures invite exploration of these themes as they offer glimpses of the hand of God in every time of our lives.

Call to Worship (Ecclesiastes 3)
God comes to us in seasons of plenty
and in seasons of want.
   We give thanks for the gifts of God!
God is with us in times of birth
and at the moment of death.
   We give thanks for the gifts of God!
God nurtures us in periods of growth
and in times of decay.
   We give thanks for the gifts of God!
God gives us memories of the past
and hope for the future.
   We give thanks for the gifts of God!
God gives us everything we need.
   We give thanks for the gifts of God!

Call to Worship (Psalm 8)
O God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
   Your glory is higher than the heavens!
When we ponder the works of your hands,
the moon and all the countless stars,
   who are we that you are mindful of us?
   Who are we that you care for us?
Yet you have given us stewardship of your creation.
   You entreat us to care for your creatures.
O God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Contemporary Gathering Words (Matthew 25)
Christ warns us, "I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink."
   Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty?
"I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
   Lord, when did we see you a stranger or naked or sick or in prison?
"Every day, you saw me in the streets, in the news, and in your church newsletters, yet you saw me not, for you saw only the faces of my children, your sisters and brothers."
   Is it too late for us?
"It is never too late. See with new eyes and love with new hearts and you will be saved."
   Thanks be to God!

Praise Sentences (Ecclesiastes 3)
A new day has dawned.
   Praise the Lord!
A new year has begun.
   Praise the Lord!
Praise the God of new beginnings.
   Praise the Lord!

Opening Prayer (Revelation 21)
Eternal God,
    in whom all things are made new,
    be our Alpha and Omega,
    our beginning and our end.
You dwell with us
    and wipe away our tears.
You invite us to leave behind our pain and despair
    and live anew in the glory of your presence.
Keep our eyes upon your heavenly city,
    that our vision might be true
    and our actions full of hopeful expectation.
Be our God,
    that we may be your people.
Amen.

Opening Prayer (New Year)
God of inexhaustible possibilities,
    come to us this day,
    as we ponder what lies before us
    in the year ahead.
Teach us to see opportunities for growth
    in the struggles that lie before us.
Help us find moments of grace and forgiveness
    in the face of ridicule and scorn.
Be a light to our path,
    that we may walk confidently in your ways,
    through Jesus Christ our hope and redeemer.
Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Matthew 25)
Merciful God,
    we worship you with our lips
    but fail to see you in the lives
    of our fellow creatures.
We feel secure in our bounty,
    while neglecting those in want.
We are proud of our accomplishments,
    and too easily blame those in need
    for their lack of success in life.
Transform our hearts to see you anew:
    in those who are hungry and thirsty,
    in those who are strangers to us,
    in those who lack clothing,
    and in those who are sick or imprisoned.
We ask this in the name of your Son,
    who teaches us to treat each other
   as beloved sisters and brothers.
Amen.

Benediction (Ecclesiastes 3, Revelation 21)
Go with the blessings of the One
who gives us the seasons of our lives.
   We go with God's blessings!
Go with the blessings of the One
who wipes away every tear.
   We go with God's blessings!
Go with the blessings of the One
who is our eternal home.
   We go with God's blessings!

Copyright © 2004 by Abingdon Press