Jesus wants us to be ready. But ready for what? How do we keep our eyes open for the Christ who comes? Waiting to see him? Waiting to receive him? Worship is what prepares us for seeing Christ at work among us. It is where we cultivate the practices that keep us aware of how to recognize Christ among us. So, what are we doing to keep our lamps lit? What are we cultivating within ourselves? This might be the worship experience to highlight the small-group ministry of the church, to talk about the experience of meeting and learning with one another as you study the Word and discuss living out the faith. This might be the worship service where you call people to the discipleship path. Be clear about next steps, what happens after worship, what people can do to prepare for next week.

Call to Worship

We enter worship once again this day
choosing to serve you, God, and no other.
With waiting hearts we come to worship.

We enter as witnesses to one another
to live out our baptism and grow into the Body of Christ.
With waiting hearts we come to worship

We enter dependent on the Spirit
to be with us in our thoughts and feelings.
With waiting hearts we come to worship.

https://www.seasonsonline.ca/files/1209268590.pdf

Opening Prayer

Creator God, we wait for your presence.
(Raise hands straight up from waist and over the head.)

Reconciling Christ, we wait for your presence.
(Reach up and out with hands to the sides over the head.)

Comforting Spirit, we wait for your presence.
(Move hands inward and fold over the chest.)

https://www.seasonsonline.ca/files/1209268590.pdf

OPENING PRAYER

God of holy anticipation, you have promised that you would return at a time unknown to us. Make us ready, so that when you return we might be welcomed into your kingdom with open arms. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3871

Litany of Confession and Assurance

(based on Matthew 25: 1-13)

Ten lamps gathered, with oil enough for all.
Ten lamps gathered,
But five are empty showing careless disregard.
Ten lamps gathered,
Five blaze with oil abundant enough to share.
Ten lamps gathered,
Five lifeless when laziness and greed collide.
Ten lamps gathered…
How many will burn tonight?

Creator God, giver of oil, hear us as we pray…
For generous hearts to share oil with our neighbors.
Creator God, giver of oil, hear us as we pray…
For the vision necessary to leave our comfortable seats in search of oil.
Creator God, giver of oil, hear us as we pray…
For forgiveness for the ways our selfishness and our apathy collide.

Ten lamps gathered, with oil enough for all.
Come children of God, into a sacred circle
Where sharing creates abundance
And no one leaves hungry. Amen.

Written for the Evangelical United Church of Christ. Copyright © Katherine Hawker, 1999. Posted on her Liturgies Outside the Box website. Reposted on https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/10/confession-matthew-25-1-13.html

Prayers of the People

Holy One, we move through our days with dreams of your festival of justice, your everlasting honeymoon of inclusive community. We give thanks for all the ways you light our path and keep us in the ways of hope