Entry Into Worship
Gathering together, we celebrate the blossoming of talents.
Like the body and all of its individual parts,
We each bring to the church a sparkle of light
A heart filled with dreams
And the joy of living into God’s vision.

As we celebrate the new path of our friend,
We pray for peace among the rocky roads,
Umbrellas on rainy days,
Deep breaths in anxious moments,
Love in lonely shadows
And inspiration when the wells have run dry.

Invocation
Holy God, Divine Gardener of our Spirits,
You dwell with us in the fields of our faith.
You call us onto path strange and familiar,
Comfortable and troublesome.
You sit with us among the bitter herbs
And taste the sweetness of the fruit of the vine.
You never veer away from us-
Even when we are in knee deep in dirt
You celebrate the fertile soil below.
Our covenant is to be celebrated
As we leap for joy
Knowing each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made
Because you know us well.

May we delight in your steadfast love-
A love that knows no end,
A love that stretches from horizon to horizon,
A love that knows the shadows before sunset,
And the night beyond dusk.

Fill this ordinand, this sibling in Christ
With the visions of your Realm,
The strength to bring your dreams to fruition
And joy at the harvest.

Amen.

(c) 2023 Rev. Michelle L. Torigian. Permission to use with attribution.