Out of need and out of custom, we have gathered here again;
to the gathering we are bringing love and laughter, grief and pain.
Some believing, some rejoicing, some afraid, and some in doubt,
now we come our questions voicing, we would search these matters out.
We now come our masks displaying, fearing that we shall be known,
foolish games forever playing, feeling meanwhile so alone.
Let pretension’s power be broken, to be open let us dare;
let the truth in love be spoken, let us now the searching share.
We have heard the glowing stories of the things that God has done,
of the power and the glory, of his love in Christ the Son.
God of human transformation, for your presence now we pray,
lead us ever on the journey as we gather here today.
