Prayers from GS 30 Worship 

Three Meditations on Hope			
From Closing Worship, Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Based on John 21: 1-14

Closing Worship at Synod was framed by three Meditations on Hope, which acknowledged the moment of transition between Synod’s work and returning to ordinary life in the churches, seeking always the presence of the Risen Christ in our midst. A chorus of voices opened the service, introduced the scripture passage, and moved us toward mission at the end.

1.	Meditation on the Endless Night Sky

Voice One: 
We’ve not yet reached morning.
Instead, we’re sitting under the vast night sky,
our nets  cast into the sea.
We are wide awake,
wondering,
awaiting what is to come
With restless hearts.

Voice Two: 
Together
in this vessel of anticipation,
we look into the pre-dawn sky-
starlight fading. 
When the sun creeps above the horizon,
will our nets be full?

Voice Three:  
We are on wilderness waters,
in between today’s work and tomorrow’s.
Nothing around us in this moment
no clear light to guide
no strong wind to push.
Wondering what will happen.
	Waiting together in Hope.

All voices together:
We are not alone--we wait in the boat together.
Hymn			 Be Now My Vision

2.	Meditation on the Break of Dawn

Voice one:
The void above
gives way to daybreak-
one speck of light,
then two and three and more
until the horizon is lined with orange and gold.

Voice two:
The empty net below the surface
opens itself up
to one fish
then two and three and more
until the entire net is overflowing 
and its weight to great too haul.

Voice three: 
The vacant beach
welcomes the journey
of the risen being
who invites one fisher,
then two and three and more
until the beach is filled with food and laughter.

Voice One: 	Like the sky

Voice Two: 	And the net

Voice Three: 	 And the beach

Voice One: 	
Our souls, too, will abide in hope
Even in the wilderness and in waiting.

Voice Two:
Hope begins
with a new friendship,
a kernel of information,
a spark of inspiration,
and unique parts uniting as one.

Voice Three:  
Hope begins small:
a mustard seed, two copper coins,
an empty tomb, 
a fish or two, and daybreak.
Gospel	John 21: 1-14					              

3.	Meditation on the Return of the Light

Voice One:
Dawn has broken--
the long night of wonder
has turned into a day of joy.
We have found illumination.

Voice Two:
The empty tomb was filled with possibilities.
The empty net was overwhelmed with fish.
The empty beach was filled with food.

These empty halls were filled with opportunities
and these empty tables were filled with fellowship.

Voice Three: 
The void is filled with unexpected hope.
Our minds are filled with unexpected visions.
And our hearts are filled with unexpected love.

Hymn   The Summons  

Tuesday Night Service at General Synod 30 was scripted by Michelle Torigian, Pastor of St Paul’s UCC of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Copyright 2015 United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.