Call to Worship
Ecclesiastes 3, "To everything there is a season," based on the Inclusive Translation
Written for New Year's Day 2019

One: Come to worship, welcome in the turning of the year. For there is a time for everything, a season for every purpose under heaven.
All: We welcome the turning
One: A season to be born, to plant, and mend. A season to die, to harvest, and tear.
All: We welcome the turning
One: A season to hurt, tear down, and mourn. A season to heal, build up, and dance
All: We welcome the turning
​One: A season to seek and keep. A season to lose and throw away.
All: We welcome the turning
One: A season for holding close and a season for holding back;
All: We welcome the turning
​One: Come to worship. Welcome in the turning of the year

Congregational Prayer
Written February 9 2020
Revised Common Lectionary Year A
Matthew 5:13–20 “You are salt of the earth”
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God of salt, who satiates, fills our bellies, pleases our palettes, God of all juicy, rich, delicious things, we shout out our gratitude to you today:

[Congregation shares gratitudes aloud]

God who seasons us through and through, we are too often content to be bland. We sprinkle you on top of daily life, an afterthought, rather than letting your saltiness get deep into our bones, giving it time to do its work of changing us. We are too often content to live lives of shallow, diluted flavors, foregoing the depth you have already offered us. We are too often afraid to be bold.

God, the savor of life, pour out your presence and love on every one among us who is hurting today:

[Congregation shares petitions. Get salty with God; ask God to come, do, heal]

God you made us salt of the earth. Give us a craving to live that abundant life. Give us the stomach to be spicy. Give us the courage to be bold.

Amen.

Beloveds, come forward, and as a sign of assurance that God hears and cares and responds, receive a taste of salt.

[Give everyone who comes up a few flakes of salt. Kosher salt, obviously]