Liturgy
Let us pray, that by growing in love
this season we may bring the peace
of Christ to our city.
God our Father, your Word, Jesus Christ,
spoke peace to a sinful world and brought
mankind the gift of reconciliation by the
suffering and death he endured.
Teach us, the people who bear his name,
to follow the example he has given us:
may our faith, hope and charity
turn hatred into love, conflict into
peace, death to eternal life
to all we encounter this week.
We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Community Confession
O God, teach us of our need
to live in peace, to love others
and to walk the right paths.
We seldom heed your wisdom, and
instead, turn back to our selfish ways.
When friends hurt us, we hurt back;
when someone hits us, we strike back;
when family members ridicule us, we
spread gossip about them.
God of mercy, forgive us of our wrongs.
Lead us to a different life:
a life of forgiving, not revenge;
a life of peace, not anger;
a life of love, not hate.
Grant us your mercy for all we have done,
and help us walk in your new ways of living.
We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
What does it mean for us to love those who oppose us?
What does it mean for us to understand that we have a great deal to learn from others as well as offer to others?
How can we be complete people that God intended for us to be?
Benediction
Go forth into the world trusting with
your hearts the wisdom God bestows
upon those who seek to follow his will.
When called to lead, do so with
humility and confidence in God.
Be in this world a sign of Jesus’ presence.
Share love and compassion with all whom
you encounter.
Live wisely in God’s name,
and glorify him in all you do.
And may the grace, mercy and wisdom of
God be our support, guidance and strength
from this day forward and for ever more.
Live this week in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.