Seeking the Kingdom...

People: We have come seeking the Kingdom of God.

Leader: God’s Kingdom has no borders and no specific location.

P: Where then can we find it?

L: Search for the King, and you will find the Kingdom.

P: Where can we find the King?

L: The King resides in the edges of this world’s kingdoms, at those places where this world does not meet the needs of its people.

P: Then we will look into our own suffering and the suffering of those around us.

L: Let us be blessed in the search.

P: Let us remember that the King said, “Seek and you will find.”

Kingdoms all around us...

Leader: We see kingdoms all around us.

People: Kingdoms of power and authority. Kingdoms of fear and greed.

L: These kingdoms leave us feeling helpless and unfulfilled.

P: We seek a better kingdom. We seek a greater kingdom.

L: Take heart, for the God of the universe wants to be your king.

P: We seek a kingdom of justice and righteousness.

L: God opens the doors of his kingdom to all who wish to enter.

P: We worship you, O God, our King, and are here that we may serve you.

How lovely is your dwelling place...

Leader: How lovely is the dwelling place of God!

People: Our souls long for the courts of the Lord.

Leader: In God’s loving presence, all will find rest and peace.

People: In God’s care, all will find a home forever.

Leader: Place your lives in God’s compassionate care.

People: Open our hearts and our spirits, to receive the joys you offer, O Lord.

How shall we prepare this house...

Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of God's Royal Son?

People: With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty.

Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of our Savior?

People: With wreaths of holly and ivy, telling of his passion, death, and resurrection.

Leader: How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of God?

People: By hearing of Israel's waiting for the Messiah, and feeling our own sense of yearning.

The Savior is near...

Leader: The Savior is near.

People: It is time to prepare the way of the Lord.

Leader: Our waiting, our yearning is almost over.

People: Let us make room in our lives for the coming Savior.

Leader: He is coming to bring light even to the darkest places of our lives.

People: All people from every nation will be saved by our God.

All: Glory to God in the highest!

After Christmas

Leader: After Christmas, we have so much.

People: Our closets and bellies are full.

Leader: There is so little that we need in life.

People: But yet so much that we need to truly live.

Leader: God doesn't want all your new Christmas stuff.

People: He just wants us to need him.

Leader: God, I need you in my life.

People: God, we need you in our lives.

A Rich Feast

Leader: A rich feast awaits those who call upon the Lord.
People: God offers to us all the bounty of God’s love.
Leader: How we have thirsted for hope and peace!
People: How we have longed for joy and love!
Leader: God continually blesses and heals us.
People: Praise be to God for God’s steadfast love.

We are looking for Jesus...

Leader: Why have you come here today?

People: We are looking for Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Leader: And why can I see the sadness written on your faces?

People: Because he has been crucified and is now dead and buried.

Leader: But look: the stone has been rolled away, and the tomb is empty!

People: Can it be true? Where is he?

Leader: He is not here! He has risen! He has gone ahead of you and you will find him.

People: Our hearts burn to see our risen Savior.

We Bring Bodies Broken

Leader: Every week we meet again at this table.

People: We bring bodies broken by worry and strife,

Leader: And God makes us whole.

People: We bring souls that thirst for a peaceful and just world,

Leader: And God quenches our desire.

People: Why? Why does God do this for us?

Leader: He loves you enough to send his own Son. All that God asks is that we humbly accept this most beautiful gift.

People: We cry out as one body of Christ: "Hallelujah! Praise the God who saves us!"

Sing a New Song

Leader: Let us sing a new song to our God!

People: We enter God's house feeling tired and empty, yearning for something more

Leader: Let us sing to our Creator, who is not done creating his world.

People: Our God has been with us every step of the way, so we will praise him.

Leader: Let us sing, and as we sing, may we find what we are looking for.

People: Let us sing a new song to our God!