LITANY:

For the acrobats of worship - the heights of joy, the depths of serenity, and all the ways we reach out to catch one another.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

For the juggling of committee life and calendars and agendas,
For the way we keep the balls of music and mission, fellowship and stewardship, in the air at one tome.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

Foe sideshows where our hearts are touched - the weddings, and memorials, baptisms and confirmations, the Christmas pageant and the Sunday School kickoff, and for taking the church beyond our walls.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

For clowning for Christ, and skits, and learning about Christ in Sunday school, for youth ministry and children's sermons.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

For the greatest show on earth, which is in our music that stirs the hearts, gives us courage, prays twice and eases sorrow.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

For orustabouts - the leadership and laity who hammer in the tent pegs of new programs and new ideas, shovel heaps of trouble... and on whom the safety of all depends.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

For the issues of justice where the church meets the world that sometimes calls for a human pyramid and sometimes for a leap through fire.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH

For the peanuts of detail, the elephant of budget, for the unashamed barkers of evangelism, the sword swallowers of reconciliation, and the people tamers of prayer.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE THREE RING CHURCH


_____________________________________________________________________________________

BENEDICTION:

May you be blessed in the three rings of your life.
By the juggler of the stars,
By the Ring Master, who is Christ,
And by the Holy Spirit-
Awesome as the high wire,
Intimate as a child's small hand.
amen.  (Maren C. Tirabassi)