Celtic Worship Litanies
(four complete orders of worship)
 

Service #1      
             

Greeting

Prelude

Call to Worship
L: We see signs of summer's passing in golden leaves.
P: shortening days, misty mornings, autumn glow.
L:  We sense its passing in rain that dampens,
P: winds that chill, Harvest's bounty placed on show.
L: Creator God, who brings forth
P: both green shoot and hoar frost,
L: sunrise and sunset,
L: for seeds that have grown,
P: harvests gathered,
L: storehouses filled,
P: mouths fed.
L: And, as your good earth rests
P: through winter's cold embrace,
L: we look forward to its re-awakening
P: when kissed by Spring's first touch.

Opening Hymn: Come thou Font of Every Blessing 

Passing of the Peace

History Moment: St. Patrick

Choir

Pastoral Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever. Amen

       Offering  
      Organ Offertory
      Doxology
      Prayer of Thanksgiving

Scripture Reading

Message

Closing Hymn:     Be Thou my vision

Closing Prayer (in unison)

We bless you, God of Seed and Harvest
And we bless each other
That the beauty of this world
And the love that created it
Might be expressed though our lives
And be a blessing to others
Now and always
AMEN

Benediction:

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Postlude

Service #2: Celtic Communion  

Gathering

Greeting

Prelude

Call to Worship

     L: In the fading of the summer sun, the shortening of days, cooling breeze,  swallows' flight and moonlight rays 
P: WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND
L: In the browning of leaves once green, morning mists, autumn chill,
fruit that falls, frost's first kiss
P: WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND
L: Bring light to the darkest corner
P: Bring sight to the blinded eye
L: Set loose the wounded spirit
P: Bring truth to the eternal ‘Why?'

Opening Hymn: God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale

Passing of the Peace

Celtic History:  The Cross of St. Bridget

Choir

Pastoral Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

Choir

Prayer of Confession (Celtic tradition)

Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude,
the spiritual blindness that prevents us
from appreciating the wonder that is this world,
the endless cycle of nature,
of life and death and rebirth.
Forgive us for taking without giving
reaping without sowing.
Open our eyes to see
our lips to praise
our hands to share
and may our feet tread lightly on the road.

Invitation to Communion

 RECITAL OF THE BEATITUDES

Pastor: My brothers and sisters, let us remember the blessings spoken of by our Lord Jesus Christ during His Sermon on the Mount.

Blessed are the poor in spirit;
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn;
For they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek;
For they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness;
For they shall be well filled.

Blessed are the merciful;
For they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart;
For they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers;
For they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake;
For theirs is the kingdom heaven.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ceremony of the Eucharist:

Pastor: We thank You, Creator God, for the life and knowledge which You have made known to us through Jesus, Your son; to You be glory forever.

People: Heavenly Father, we invite Your angels to come among us with Your almighty goodness and bless and consecrate with Your word and Holy Spirit, these, Your gifts we offer of bread and wine, receiving them according to the Holy Institution established by Your son, Jesus Christ.

Pastor: We acknowledge that these elements symbolize the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given for us in securing our salvation.  As He instructed His followers during the Last Supper, we offer them in remembrance of Him and as a memorial of His death and sacrifice.

  [Pastor lifts the Bread]

People: Even as this loaf of bread was once grain scattered over the hills and the fields, and when gathered together, became one, so may Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom.  For Yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.

  [Pastor Lifts the Wine]

Pastor: Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation.  Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands.  It will become our spiritual drink.

People: We thank You, Our Father, for the Holy vine of David, Your servant, which You made known to us through Jesus, Your servant.  To You be the glory forever.

THE COMMUNION - ( INTINCTION )

Pastor: Those with a true reverence of God, possessing love and faith, those who truly accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are invited to come forth to commune.

(The congregation comes forward and stands at the altar to receive communion and then return to their seats. Those who wish to receive communion in the pew will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony.)

Offering
      Organ Offertory
      Doxology
      Prayer of Thanksgiving

Scripture Reading

Message

Closing Hymn:  Hymn of Promise

Closing Prayer (in unison)

Dear God, give us
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Amen.

Benediction:

May the blessing of light be on you—
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.

Postlude

Service #3:

Gathering

Greeting (introduction of the Celtic service of Imbalc)

Call to Worship

     L: God of winter's cold, of clear sky and frozen river.
All: We praise your Holy Name

     L: God of spring's warmth, April showers, waking life.
All: We praise your Holy Name

     L: God of summer sun, warming earth, sprouting seed.
All: We praise your Holy Name

     L: God of summer pasture and mountain stream
All: We praise your Holy Name

     L: God of root and shoot, of harvest to come
All: We praise your Holy Name

Opening Hymn:  Morning has Broken

Passing of the Peace

Scripture Reading: Psalm

Prayers of the People:

In the lengthening of days
Snowdrops emerging
from winter's frozen ground
A. WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND

In the sight of a tiny lamb
joyfully bounding
across hillside farm
A. WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND

Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude,
the spiritual blindness that prevents us
from appreciating the wonder that is this world,
the endless cycle of nature,
of life and death and rebirth.
Forgive us for taking without giving
reaping without sowing.
Open our eyes to see
our lips to praise
our hands to share
and may our feet tread lightly on the road.

Choir

Prayer of Intercession  ("Lord hear our prayer")

       Offering
      Organ Offertory
      Doxology
      Prayer of Thanksgiving 

Act of Praise / Celtic Music:  Dulcimer or Bag Pipe

Scripture Reading

Message

Closing Hymn: Amazing Grace

Closing Prayer (in unison)

This is your garden, Creator God
A thing of beauty
Beyond understanding
A poem that is being written
Not in words
But in colours
Wind's whisper
Soaring bird
Snowdrop's petal
Gentle rain
Sunlight's warmth
This is your garden, Creator God
A thing of beauty
Beyond understanding.
We express our gratitude to you,
O Holy One. Amen.

Benediction

May you see God's light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember
when the shadows fall—
You do not walk alone.
   

Postlude

Service #4  

Gathering 

Greeting

Prelude

Call to Worship -- from the Celtic Sanhain

     L: In the fading of the summer sun,
the shortening of days, cooling breeze,
swallows' flight and moonlight rays 

P: WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND

     L: In the browning of leaves once green,
morning mists, autumn chill,
fruit that falls, frost's first kiss

P: WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND

     L: Bring light to the darkest corner
P: Bring sight to the blinded eye
L: Set loose the wounded spirit
P: Bring truth to the eternal ‘Why?’

Opening Hymn: Lord of the Dance

Passing of the Peace

 History Moment:  The Cross of St. Bridget

Choir

Prayer of Petitions

 All: Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

Choir

 Offering
      Organ Offertory
      Doxology
      Prayer of Thanksgiving

Scripture Reading

Message

Closing Hymn: 

Closing Prayer (in unison):

Dear God, give us
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Amen.

Benediction:

May the blessing of light be on you—
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.

Postlude