Stephanie's Farewell Sermon

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Friday, December 1, 2006

Montgomery Chapel

Prelude

Welcome

*Call To Worship

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,

My God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Let us worship God!

*Song VU#229 God of the Sparrow

Call To Confession

The proof of God's amazing love is this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and grace. Trusting in God's faithfulness and compassion, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Prayer Of Confession

God of birth, God of joy, God of life, we come to you as a people hungry for good news. We have been so dead to miracles that we have missed the world's rebirth. We have preoccupied ourselves with pleasures and have overlooked the joy you offer us. We have been so concerned with making a living that we have missed the life that you set among us. Forgive us, gracious God. Open our eyes and our hearts to receive your gift; open our lips and hands to share it with all humanity in the name of Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance Of Pardon

Through Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

*Passing Of The Peace

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Prayer Of Illumination

Scripture Reading 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13

Communion Meditation “The As You Table” Rev. Stephanie Croom

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation To The Lord's Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

As we wait to celebrate Christ's birth,

may the Lord be with you.

And also with you.

As we await Christ's return, let us lift up our hearts.

Our hearts are lifted to our God.

As we trust the one who comes to us,

let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Joy is in our hearts, and praise is on our lips.

Glory and praise are offered to you, God of Advent. On the first day of eternity, you began to create all that is true and just, beautiful and blameless, calling all that you shaped and formed "Good!" Our ancestors danced in Eden's fields, pure and innocent, but hearing the tunes the world played, they turned away from you. When you called us back through the mouths of the prophets, we defied you to follow those with power and pain. Then you sent John, your messenger, to proclaim the coming of the One who ushers in your kingdom of justice and righteousness. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with those who, from the first day to the last, glorify your name, singing,

Holy are you, Steadfast Love, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Compassion, our Hope, your Son. Into the midst of the status quo of rulers and events beyond our control, he came to place our feet on the Kingdom's street called Peace; into the shadows of our lives caused by sin and defiance, he carries the Light of your grace; taking the brokenness of our world, he reshapes us into pure and blameless people; into that dread valley we call death, he strides in obedience and faith, so we might be brought to life. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, as we remember his life, death, and resurrection, as we anticipate his return, we sing of those mysteries we call faith:

Holy Spirit, come to us, and to these gifts of the bread and the cup. As you transform these everyday objects into sacramental grace, transform us from ordinary folk into the citizens of God's kingdom. Fill us with the Bread of heaven, so we would feed the hungriest of your children. Pour the cup of grace into us, so we might overflow with love. Make us a compassionate people, who have a passion for your justice. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory are yours, Great God, our Hope, our Peace, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Please pray in the language and style in which you are most comfortable.

Words Of Institution

*Communion Of The People

*Prayer After Communion

*Charge and Benediction

*Postlude

Participants In Worship:

Rev. Stephanie Croom, Director of Supervised Ministry & Placement, Preacher

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Mr. Peter Barnes-Davies, Senior, Liturgist

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Senior, Chaplain's Assistant

Communion Servers:

Ms. Norma Lannert Mr. Andrew Hoeksema

Ms. Petey Thornton Mr. Scott Clark

Mr. Aric Clark Mr. Josh Dunham

Resources: The Call To Confession, Prayer of Confession, Assurance of Pardon were adapted from The Worship Sourcebook, Faith Alive Christian Resources, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004. The Communion Liturgy was from the 2006 Thom M. Shuman www.lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com.