What does it mean then to be a Covenant Member?  In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes beautifully, the church like a human body.  This body has Christ as the head and we, with varying gifts entrusted to us, operate as specific members with specific functions. “There are many members, but one Body”, Paul says.  We see this metaphor played out both in our specific community here in Austin and in a larger sense, how Vox fits in as a members of the global and historical Church.

With this in mind, we invite you to become members, not like, Costco, but as a part of a Body that needs your gifts, passions, and resources.  At Vox, this invitation involves 4 sessions, explaining who and what you are covenanting to –  God, Formation, Mission, and Community,  a covenant signed, and a celebration during our Sunday liturgy so that the body can welcome you in as a new member.  The Vox Pastoral team and Navigation team will in turn covenant with you to provide Shepherding, Teaching, Empowerment and Care.  

In summary:  WHAT?  A relational agreement for the sake of committing to God, Mission, Community and Formation.   To commit to participating as a member of a functioning Body with your gifts, passions and resources. WHY?  We are not designed to be a member alone.  We have been gifted and resourced in specific ways to participate with others.  We can do more together than we can do alone.  WHO?  Anyone who wants to participate with what God is doing in the world. WHEN?  Other than our very first at the Covenant Retreat in Jan 2012, twice a year. December and May.

HOW?
1. Email Covenant@Voxveniae.com
2. Attend and participate in the 4 sessions (God, Formation, Community, and Mission)
3. Sign a Covenant
4. Celebrate with the community on a Sunday liturgy!

Signup for Covenant Member Retreat

RSVP on Facebook

[Photo by micromoogman @ Flickr]

O God of our hearts,
You yearn to be close to us
that we might know you in every breath,
in every hope, in every relationship.

May we in turn, draw close to one another
to build your kingdom and your church.

Teach us to recognize the covenant
of justice, peace and love
you have written on our hearts.

May your desires become our desires,
your work become our work,
and our community
the place where you are sought and found.

We pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us continue to worship God as a community.

We will listen to Christ Jesus, who is Genuine Love.
Love hates what is evil and holds fast to what is good.

We will love our brothers and sisters with selfless love,
striving to live with one another in community to build and serve
together the kingdom of God, here on Earth.

We will not lack in zeal, but will press on in Spirit, serving our Lord.
We will rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering and persevere in prayer.

We will contribute to the needs of one another.
We will extend hospitality to all we meet.

We will bless those who do harm to us.
We will bless them, and will not curse them.

We will rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep.
We will live in harmony with our neighbors.

We will not be proud or arrogant, and will associate with the lowly.
What we know, we will share, no more, no less.

We will live in peace as one body,
devoted in following the Holy Spirit,
and love as Christ first loved us.

All this we ask and do in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Reflection

What would it look like fo us to continue to abide in Christ?
How has our community been a part uour growth and formation?

Benediction

We go, committed to care for one another
as you have cradled us in your love.

We leave, confident in your mercy
and courageous in our role within our city and world,
inspiring human souls,

that at the dawn of your grace,
our youthful lives
will be spent to love and serve you,

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.

[Photo by Evita Weed @ Flickr]

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• My brother who got in an accident last night and escaped with minor injuries (Danielle)
• E who finally gets a break and gets to go to Nepal for a couple days after having more downs than ups lately (Grace)
• The Vox community praying for me as I’ve been going through some health issues (Lindy)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• The Spirit to guide us where we live and work so that we will love and serve our neighbors (Gid)
• Visiting Central Asia in July and all the preparation an travel logistics (Grace)
• My sister who is having a tough time with school this semester and not sure what her next steps are (Rosalie)
• A friend who got in trouble drinking an driving and another friend who might have to do some time (Skylar)
• Discussions I’ve been having about social inequality and for me not to be jaded but to remember its a reflection of our need for God (Skylar)
• Our nation and leaders to have wisdom and understanding (Ben)
• One of our program volunteers that was diagnosed with terminal cancer and trying to figure out how to reconnect with God and living a different life (Steven)
• The school where I teach and figuring out next steps if God still wants me there (Lauren)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by Marija Strajnic @ Flickr]

Mighty God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
you stand among us in the shadows of our time.

As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning

when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people.

We give thanks in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

Compassionate and Gentle God,
you have created us in love to be your people.
We give thanks and praise you for our community, oh God.

Yet, as we gather for worship,
we are reminded that we have lost sight of this gift
and forgotten how to really love you.

We worship other gods,
put our faith in the riches of this world,
and impress ourselves with misguided power and stability.
Lord, have mercy on us.

We have looked for help in the wrong places
and ignored the extravagances you lay before us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Send your Spirit to come and breathe its life-sustaining and life-altering
presence into us in these moments of worship.

Send your Spirit of renewal and transformation.
Send your Spirit that up-ends our lives and sets us on a new path.
Send your Spirit, O Lord, that we may learn to follow you.

Hear our prayers and remake us in your image once again.
We pray these things in the name of the One
who rose from the grave.
Amen.

Reflection

What is our love defined by and what does substitutional sacrifice look like for you?
How does love look like lived out and not just talked about?

Benediction

As we depart from this place of worship,
Go, knowing that the Good Shepherd goes with us.

Go, knowing that all of heaven is on our side,
To urge us onward,
To lift us heavenward,
To strengthen us always,
Wherever we go,

That we may serve and enrich his kingdom with joy
and thanksgiving in our hearts, this day and for ever.

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.

[Photo by Marine Beccarelli @ Flickr]

Wanted to ask for your prayer and thanksgiving for a few things:

Nepal Next Week

My CW Area Director has asked me to join him on a visit to a CW team in Nepal — and then to accompany him back into Central Asia where he will visit with my team for a few days. I am excited not only to see a new country but also to spend time with likeminded people and, most of all, to take a break from this country and get a chance to kick back, flex my camera a bit, not speak Dari all day, eat something different, etc. Please pray that this time will be a good enough break to give me some perspective and put some wind in my sails so I can come back here and keep doing what I came here to do — that is, loving people and doing good work.

Books Meetings

I will be meeting with the city branch of my NGO on the way out to talk about wholesaling our Dari books back in my city. Hoping these meetings go well and that I get all the info I need to be able to serve as the connection between local bookstores and the NGO. Also I am looking forward to getting to know the highly intelligent Central Asians who work for the Dari literature project at the city branch. Please pray for good relationships and good meetings.

Pregnancy Books

We are about halfway done printing the 23,200 easy-to-read illustrated Dari books about topics such as bleeding during pregnancy, post-birth care, saving money for medical emergencies, breastfeeding (instead of giving new-borns tea mashed up with unhealthy cookies, which actually happens quite often here), etc. Right now a few of the remaining unprinted editions are at government offices getting checked for approval, and then we’ll continue printing. The first two printed editions began to be distributed today to women in the Pregnancy and Birth Health Trainings! Thankful the project is going well, and we are praying that it’s able to be finished soon.

Other Projects

Other projects on the ground or on paper. Right now we are involved in a few other projects:

• We are producing high-quality schooldesks for children in villages where the kids have to squat all day and use big stones as “desks”
• We are continuing to oversee a Women’s Self-Help Groups project that financially and socially benefits over 2,000 women in the area surrounding our city.
• There are also other opportunities my NGO has right now to potentially get involved in raising awareness about congenital disability by making video Public Service Announcements for local TV (this would involve me and my camera quite heavily) and in delivering our Pregnancy and Birth Health Trainings to the Mullahs (Muslim religious leaders) in our city. We have actually applied to the Bill Gates Foundation for funding to do the Mullah trainings (the BGF theme for this round of funding is “Innovations in Maternal Mortality Prevention,” so we are hoping to receive enough funds to train not only the Mullahs but also to train instructors at the Madrassahs, or Islamic schools, who will then carry on the information to future generations of Mullahs, who are often consulted about family matters such as pregnancy complications). The Mullahs and Madrassahs in our city have, almost shockingly, already agreed to participate in the trainings if funding is available, so all we need is for this grant to come our way.

Please pray for all this ongoing and potential work, especially regarding the funding from Bill Gates to train Mullahs and Madrassahs in Pregnancy and Birth Health.

So, those are the things that I know how to describe succinctly. The rest of life is an ever-morphing kaleidoscope of acquaintances, friends, micro-jobs for the NGO, foreigners coming and going, prayer meetings, soccer, mountain trips, cooking for and hosting people, reading over coffee in the mornings, shopping in the bazar to keep up with life, etc … a non-stop bustle as it is anywhere. Friendships and relationships are going strong, and I’m still enjoying daily life here more and more as I really become part of the city, crossing it multiple times a day on my bike, seeing and stopping to chat with people I know on the way to work, running errands in tiny little alleys where I know friendly shopkeepers who are constantly trying convert me to Islam, sitting down in a greasy spoon and ordering what’s called “hambargar” here which is nothing like hamburgers and then eating with a dozen other random Central Asian guys as we all watch the news on a TV hanging from the wall.

Or other things—the dusty sunsets that cast dramatic shadows and flares through the busy unpaved streets, my new property-mate showing me the stump of his leg that was blown off by a Russian mine 20 years ago, the joy of being a proper host as I sit without a cushion on the floor and insist that my guests remain comfortable and keep eating.

Hope it’s good where you are. Much love,
E

[Photo by evanistan @ Flickr]

On Sundays after Liturgy, we always have an opportunity to eat lunch together. This Sunday, April 29, we are going to approach this in an all-new way. Instead of one big lunch, we are going to have four different lunch locations in different parts of town. There will be groups gathering for lunch in Far North Austin (Pflugerville, Round Rock, etc.), Central, South and East. Choose a location based on where you live or work or just spend most of your week.

• North: Mick and Su’s House (1208 E Applegate Dr)
• Central: Central Market (4001 N Lamar Blvd)
• South: Natalie’s House (2411A La Casa Drive)
• East: Space12 (3121 E 12th St)

Select Your Region

During our time together we hope to accomplish three things:
1) Get to know the people near you.
2) Share contact information so you can meet up again in the future.
3) Pray about how God might use you to serve your neighborhoods.

We hope this will be a meaningful time together. We’ll see you Sunday at lunch and throughout the weeks to come.

[Photo taken by Ro Luc at Flickr]

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• My father and mother showing me love and how to love (Gideon)
• My brother Jacob who feels the freest he’s ever felt even behind bars (Su)
• God’s unconditional love (Teesa)
• One of my Young Life kids who accepted Christ earlier this week
• God’s infinite patience for us (John)
• My dad who found out that his growth was not cancerous (Yvonne)
• The celebration of our daughter Milka’s first birthday (Will)
• My father and other men God’s placed in my life (Chris)
• The truth that whoever our earthy father is, God is the perfect father for us (Natasha)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• Those whose earthly fathers are no longer here or haven’t been a good example for us (Teesa)
• My dad and sister who will be making a long journey to the states for my sisters graduation (John)
• My sister who had to spend time in the hospital for surgery that did not go well and was recently divorced (Tim)
• The tough financial times I’m going through right now (Becky)
• My friend Kara who has been in the hospital the last month and they can’t figure out what’s wrong (Will)
• My wife and I getting our finances together and listening to God’s conviction for us (Dallas)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by Theo Gosselin @ Flickr]

We thank you, God,
for drawing us to this place and time
and for interrupting us with your gift of life in Christ.

Whether we have heard the news many times over,
or are this day, listening with brand new ears,
surprise us with your justice and righteousness,
that our lives might turn in the right direction.

Startle us with your goodness and mercy,
that we might receive your empowering forgiveness;

stagger us with your hope and peace,
that our eyes will remain wide open as we leave this place,
searching for what you will be doing this week
in our world and through us.

This we pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

God our Father,
in your love, you welcome us as your children,
with your mercy you hear our prayers.
Hear us, your children,
as we come before you in worship.

Jesus, our risen Savior,
in our weakness, you call us,
in our confusion, you teach us,
in our troubles, you offer us peace.

Speak to us, your children,
as we come to hear your word.

Spirit, Living One,
in the beginning, you breathed life,
in chaos and darkness, you brought hope,
in many tongues, you spread good news.

Transform us, your people,
as we open our minds and hearts to you.

God, Loving Father, Son and Spirit,
we know we come with doubts, fears and in ignorance.
We know we have failed you in many ways.

Trusting in your love, we turn again to you.
As we open our hearts to your mercy and forgiveness,
grant us your peace.

Accept our prayers,
accept our worship,
accept us as we are,
and change us through your love,

We pray to you, our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

How are we living and experiencing faith beyond just the cognitive and into the the heart?
How have you experienced the lavish love of God our Father?

Benediction

Your light is the only light we need
as we travel through life’s mystery.

Your word, the only voice we hear,
that still, small voice that leads us
to the place where we should be.

Your presence is the only company we need
as we walk this narrow road.
Your fellowship the warmth we crave
to help us on our way.

May the truth of Easter,
The joy of Easter
And the blessings of Easter
be with us this day and all days.

All this we ask 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.

[Photo by chooseanalog @ Flickr]

Download the March 2012 Generosity Report

If you have any questions, please contact the Stewardship Committee.

Online Giving Options

[Photo by brianwferry @ Flickr]

Sarah provides counseling to individuals, couples and families. Sarah holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Edward’s University. Sarah’s desire is to continue to whole-heartedly work with couples and individuals in their personal life journeys. Sarah and her husband Joshua and their children live in Austin where they enjoy being together as a family.

Facebook Event

[Photo taken by chewbukka at Flickr]

Bio:
I grew up in Odessa, Tx with my dad (Jim), mom (Denise), little sister (Emily), and poodle (Sweet Ebony). My mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was young and passed away when I was in high school . The trial of her illness and her passing has shaped me more than any event in my life. My dad as since remarried and I inherited and stepmom (Nelda) and two stepbrothers (Chane and Andy). I loved music from an early age and went to the University of North Texas to study classical voice. My senior year of college I figured out how to graduate faster and transferred across town to Texas Woman’s University to finish my last year. After college I spent 3 months in Shanghai, China and started dating Jason. When we returned from China, we both spent nine months working while attending an intensive Bible training program through Denton Bible Church. After we completed, we married and moved to Memphis, TN where we were apart of a church plant focusing on racial reconciliation, Fellowship Memphis. After we had been in Memphis a year and a half, we began to ask the question if this was a longer term move for us. After much discussion we decided we loved Memphis but felt like we had another place calling us. A month later we were in Austin.

Why Austin?
We loved Memphis but started to feel a pull somewhere else. One of Jason’s business mentors suggested we try to move to Austin. He thought is would be a good fit for our family. I had nannied in Austin one summer in college and loved it. We found a great job and housing near downtown (which was a goal for us). While living in Memphis we had developed a love for living in intentional community in an urban setting.

Why Vox?
Our move to Vox was much like our move from Memphis to Austin. We felt called to something new, though we love where we left. We were excited that Vox was in our neighborhood and that it was a racially diverse community. We love being apart of liturgy, we felt like it was a place where we could grow, and we thought we could contribute to the community.

What gives you life and energy?

• God grace and love
• Jason consistently pursuing me
• Myles’ view of people and the world
• Poodle kisses
• Mentoring
• Orphan care
• My family (especially my Nana, if you are around me you will hear some great Nana stories).
• Our home – making a safe and secure nest for my crew and inviting people into that
• Good food
• Tasty beverages
• The people and streets of Austin (especially East)

What are your dreams for the Vox community?
My dream for Vox is that we will live in unity and that will be our testimony as a community. I hope that we will strive to live as one in continual harmony: helping those around us, fighting selfishness, and seeking humility.

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:21-23 KJV)

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• Our neighbor of 5 years Bill and all he has done for us (Gideon)
• My roommate Catie being willing to have a tough conversation with me and showing tough love (Natasha)
• Providing our friends the McDaniels a new home close to us (Jenny)
• Individuals like Caine who advocate for others and speaking love into other’s lives (Caleb)
• My sister who got engaged to an awesome Godly man
• Food after being on a 60-day juice journey and for the people that have impacted me during this process (Anslee)
• The support I received for my drumming debut this weekend (Danielle)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• Bill who may stuck in a bad situation (Gideon)
• Confessing that I want to be thought well of by others (Gena)
• My trip to Washington DC to advocate for the elderly and those who need Medicare (Dolores)
• My nephew Ethan who has relapsed into his cancer with a very grim prognosis and for his parents Matt and Rachel
• My family and my brother going through a tough transitional time (Natasha)
• House inspections for the McDaniels as they close on their house (Jenny)
• Finding ways that we can powerfully speak into other’s lives through God (Caleb)
• The transition of my sister’s wedding planning
• High school student that passed away in the school I was volunteering at
• My close firm who is engaged and is getting nervous and scared, that he will receive wisdom and conviction (Aaron)
• My midweek group and that we wouldn’t walk away from the Scriptures that we were given today (Dallas)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by mujerísima @ Flickr]

Love has its source in you,
Creator God.
It flows from you like an ocean
into a world as unyielding
as any shoreline cliff.

And like the ocean which batters, erodes
and wears away even the hardest stone,
your love persists,
finds cracks and inlets
in hardened hearts
and flows inside and works a miracle.

Who would think that water
was more powerful than granite,
love mightier
than the hardest heart.

Thank you, Creator God
for the power of your love.

We celebrate and worship
in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

Let us pray together as a community.

We gather today to confess what we believe.
We believe in Jesus the Christ.

Yet Easter has come and gone;
the lilies have faded and fallen,
the crowds have slipped away.
We believe in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Real life has crept into our worship;
sharing funerals for our families and friends,
saying goodbye to choirs for the season.

We believe that Jesus was betrayed, he suffered and died.

We begin to wonder if it really matters;
does our faith really affect our lives?
does God make a difference in the real world?

We believe in the Resurrection,
that suffering and even death are not the final word,
that God can and will triumph even over death.

We believe in the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflection

What areas of your life is God absent from?
Are there things in our lives that we are rationalizing or justifying when they’re clearly sin?

Benediction

Go out now as God’s chosen witnesses
to testify that Christ is risen
and that we are raised with him.

Set your minds on the things of God
and do not be afraid
for your life is safe with Christ in God.

May God raise you from all that would entomb you.
May Christ Jesus be your life.
And may the Holy Spirit empower you for all that is good.

Go in peace and live the church
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.

[Photo by Evita Weed @ Flickr]

When: Saturday, April 21, 5:30-9:30pm
Where: Jump! @ 2919 Manchaca Rd
Cost: $30 1st child / $20 sibilings (cash or check)
Ages: 3-10 (must be potty trained)
Questions: Call Natalie @ 512-496-5867

Register Your Kids

Download the Flyer

[Photo by djwudi @ Flickr]

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• Easter morning and for the light that can enter into our lives (John)
• A really good two weeks being in Houston for work and God’s provision for my job (Grace)
• Chris and Calio, the kids who live next door, who remind me to play and rest and be grateful for what I have (Catie)
• So many in this community that I have been able to celebrate and mourn with this Holy Week (Chris)
• All the teachers who work in East Austin who have hope to give to their students (Dr P)
• The beautiful story God has given us this week and being adopted into his family (Wu)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• Those who might be going through dark times in their lives (John)
• My brother-in law who is about to embark on a journey and that God will give him strength (Mick)
• My cousin Steve who is having a tough time getting through school and dealing with bad influences in his life

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by Astrid Prasetianti @ Flickr (www.cargocollective.com/astridpr)]

This is the day,
when tears are wiped away;
shattered hearts are mended
and fears are replaced with joy.

This is the day our Lord
rolls away the stone of fear,
throws off death’s clothes
and goes ahead of us into God’s future.

This is the day the Lord has made:
death has no fear over us;
sin has lost its power over us;
God opens the tombs of our hearts
to fill us with life.

This is Easter day.
It begins with our Resurrected Savior, Jesus
and continues through us.

We celebrate and worship
the Father, the Risen Son,
and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

Let us pray together as a community.

God of the empty tomb, we come today
to celebrate the knowledge that you have made this day.

Let us focus only on you this week,
and guide our timid eyes to the cross.

Remind us again of the tomb; filled and now empty.

Remind us again of Mary’s tears; of sorrow and now joy.
Remind us again of Peter’s words; denial and now telling.

God of the empty tomb,
grant us the grace to accept
both the cost and the joy of following you.
Lord of our lives, have mercy on us.

We bless you, oh God,
and thank you for the gift of your Son,
that we may have life in abundance.

We pray to our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

How do we deal with the weights on us and the questions in our lives?
How can we participate in what we typically observe as Easter?

Benediction

Raise us up, oh Lord! Renew our lives!
Father of life, we see your light!

We were once in darkness and had lost hope
but Jesus Christ, your Son,
has won over death – for all humanity, for me, and for you.

So many times in our lives our eyes are closed,
but today we see and proclaim the good news of our risen Lord.

Thank you for this day of hope,
thank you for such incredible love.
May our very lives reflect your grace and resurrection for all.

We go into this week, celebrating
the name of the Father,
of the Risen Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by julie ann tingley @ Flickr]

Maundy Thursday – Apr 5
6:45-7:45 PM at Space12

Good Friday – Apr 6
7:00-8:00 PM at Space12

Holy Saturday – Apr 7
7:00-8:00 PM at Space12

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• My mom’s shoulder surgery that went well (Ben)
• Our friend who was in the hospital this week and was released (Rosalie)
• My sister-in-law who had biopsy on her lymph node and found she is cancer free (John)
• Allowing my mom to visit from San Antonio and for her recovery from her health condition (Diana)
• Having a community so young to be here serving the Lord
• My friend Karina who has cancer and got to go home this week
• God’s graciousness and mercy and a community family that represents Christ (Jill)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• This season of Lent and it would bear fruit in out lives this final week (Jonny)
• Our nation and leaders to have wisdom (Ben)
• My friend Dan in Korea who has retinal degeneration and recovery from his surgery (Courtney)
• The GLBTQ community who faces injustice (Gena)
• Our friend Natasha and her brother that is going through difficult times (Ali)
• The family of one our Eastside school students who passed away this week (Lauren)
• My position in teaching at Eastside Memorial and learning what humility looks like in that environment (Lauren)
• My friend Bondry in Congo and for protection on his leadership and relationships
• The persecuted pastors of the church around the world and especially those in prison
• A dear friend going through health issues and is spiritually alone (Jill)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by swelly @ Flickr]

The King is coming.
Our God arrives, clothed in frail human flesh,
riding a meek donkey’s foal.

Yet, this is not the first time you have come to us, O God.
The history of human affairs is the history of your arrival among us,

As Creator,
Purpose-Giver,
Liberator,
Prophet’s voice and
Priest’s desire.

The story of each of our lives is the story of your coming to us,

As Comforter,
Friend,
Example,
Challenger,
Abundant Giver of Life.

And so we praise you.
Open our eyes this week to your presence with us, Lord,
and be glorified among us.

We ask in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

-— written by John van de Laar

Congregational Prayer

On this Palm Sunday, let us pray a prayer of confession together as a community.

Jesus, our Lord,
we shout hosannas to praise you.
With eager hands, we place our palms of praise
on the path before you.

Yet, Lord, we confess that the mouths
that seek to praise you often deny or defy you.

We confess that the hands that seek to serve you often become fists.
We confess our praise is often empty.

Just as the people of Jerusalem did long ago,
We sing “Hosanna,” but will cry “Crucify.”

As the crowd laid their palms in front of you,
you took no glory for yourself.

Yet, we confess that we crave acceptance and take the easy way.
We do not stay true to your will.

Forgive us, Lord, and help us
to follow in the way of your obedience to our Father.
Help us to be faithful and loving servants of Jesus, our King.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflection

How are you when it comes to doing the small things beautifully in your life?
How may the path that Christ asks us to be on be more humble than we think or want?

Benediction

From Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday,
may God in his infinite mercy
grant you a journey
of renewal and hope;
a time of prayer and reflection;
And joyful anticipation
of our Lord’s resurrection.

May you live and serve this week in remembrance of Christ’s love.

We pray 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.

[Photo by Jocelyn Catterson and Jeremy Daigneault @ Flickr]

So come on out to help and be a great neighbor!

Email Weylin to Volunteer

[Photo by Brenton Salo @ Flickr - www.brentonsalo.com]

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• Our friend E who is Central Asia and being able to see and talk to him online last Friday (Weylin)
• All the support I got over the last couple months and being back here in Austin (Chris)
• Young Life placing 200 leaders in high schools all around the city (Dale)
• The beautiful weather, living in this city, and achieving some personal goals (Diana)
• My friend Anna who could visit and for surrounding me with good community and people including my roommate Diana (Teesa)
• Opening up relationships at work that I can talk at a deeper level with (Eunice)
• One of my best friends Rachel who has helped me through a lot and been a role model for me (Dawn)
• My current journey and learning a lot about sharing and inspiring others and being inspired myself (Anslee)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• Our friend E in Central Asia and the opportunities he will have to live out the Gospel to the locals (Weylin)
• My roommate Austin who had a bad case of pneumonia and possibly infected blood (Dale)
• Looking at another phase of my life to possibily start a community house for the homeless and formerly homeless (Hebbard)
• My brother who finished his first two years of medical school and is about to take his board exams
• An opportune time for us to model listening to one another so that our Congress can also learn to listen with intention and love (Fred)
• Mercy from God as I try to find a place to live in the next month (Heather)
• My coworkers, one who is dealing with a tough marriage and another who is struggling with infertility and discovered cancer in her colon (Eunice)
• My grandfather who had heart procedure couple days ago and who needs to retire and let go of money (Catie)
• A lot of things I’m apprehensive about in life and to embrace God’s plan (Caleb)
• Rachel’s mom who is going through pain and for recovery from surgery (Dawn)
• My friend Jenny in east Texas going through drug addiction and is in jail, for her to find God’s way in all of it (Anslee)
• My mom’s shoulder surgery (Ben)
• My grad school interview later this week (Marsha)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by rastaschas @ Flickr]

In the presence of the Holy
whose word has called the universe
into being, we stand in awe.

In the presence of the Spirit
that stirs within us
and causes our hearts to thirst for love,
we stand in need.

In your presence, Giver of life,
we come to worship,
open to truth and love
and wholeness.

Be with us now and always.
We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In this season of Lent, let us pray and confess to God as a community.

Lord, we have denied you,
each time we refused to see you in the faces
of the hungry and the homeless.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

Lord, we have betrayed you,
each time we have kept our distance
from the anguish of the oppressed and the persecuted.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

Lord, we have mocked you,
each time we rationalize the limits of
how radically you call us to live.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

Lord, we are lost and have strayed.
Welcome us into your forgiving arms and cleanse our hearts.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

All merciful One, God of infinite love and compassion,
though we have strayed, you have never abandoned us.

In this season of repentance,
we confess our sins to you and yearn
for the healing power of your forgiveness.
Give us renewed and truthful hearts
that will follow you in all of our ways.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflection

How open are you to God’s plans and how tight is your fist around your own plan?
What are some risks that God is calling you to in the midst of your comfortable life?

Benediction

Learn from Christ, trust him, delight in him,
give your whole daily affairs to him,
and you will never walk alone
or serve without the eternal joy
which can not be taken from you.

Let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge of God
and of his true Son, Christ Jesus our Lord;

And the blessing of the fullness of God,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
will be with you
today and ever more.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by jillian anderson @ Flickr]

A potluck party at Space12 to celebrate Central Asia, E, and the present combination of the two. There’ll be succulent kebabs, large-format prints of E’s soon-to-be-award-winning photography, and a live Skype Q&A session with the humble man himself. Come learn about this beautiful part of the world and BYOVodka if you’d like!

It’s all happening this coming Friday, March 23rd, 7pm at Space12.

RSVP and Signup to Bring a Dish

[Photo by evanistan @ Flickr]

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• Chris and his presence here this morning as he works back to health (Gideon)
• The suffering in our lives that allows us to experience the hand of God
• My relationship with my brother who I get to see tonight in the midst of reconciliation that has been going on for the past year (Cole)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• My nephew Ethan who was diagnosed with cancer after remission and for his upcoming treatment
• My friend Flip who is dying in a hospice and for no pain as he dies (Becky)
• My friend’s marriage that might be over, for God to shine his light in that relationship (Nicolas)
• A close friend that’s getting a biopsy this week to determine if she has cancer (John)
• My friends Melissa and Joshua and their son Moses who are moving to Ethiopia and for their safety and mission over there (Natalie)
• Reconciliation between our country and Afghanistan and that my brother can be a peacemaker as a soldier over there (Gina)
• My friend who broke his ribs and collarbone mountain biking (Mike)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by new legs @ Flickr]

O God of our hearts,
You yearn to be so close to us
that we can know you in every breath,
in every hope, in every relationship.

Meet us this week and
teach us to recognize
the covenant of justice, peace and love
you have written on our hearts.

May your desires become our desires,
your work become our work,
and our community
the place where you are sought and found.

We ask and pray in the name
of the Father, of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In this season of Lent, let us pray and confess to God as a community.

Lord, we have come to see that our lives fall far short of your glory.
Have mercy and forgive us.

You have given your life for us, and poured out your Spirit,
yet we fail to return your love to others with all our heart.
Have mercy and change us.

Too often we are selfish and proud,
ignoring you, Lord, and neglecting others for our own causes.
Have mercy and cleanse us.

Lord, when we do not truly trust and obey you,
we are overwhelmed by self-pity, fear and worry.
Have mercy and deliver us.

In Christ we are given a sure hope and secure love,
yet we follow the false hopes and desires of this world.
Have mercy and forgive us.

Father, through the redeeming death of your Son on the cross,
by your Spirit and through your word,
transform and renew us to follow you with joy.

All this we ask, confident in your unchanging faithfulness,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

What are the things that occupy our gaze in life? What images are we obsessed with in our minds and hearts?
How do we look up at the person and redemption of Christ in our lives?

Benediction

Just as God’s Word was sent into the world
to heal and redeem,
so God sends you into the world this day
to be light and love, healing and hope.
Go now to be light for the world,
And may the grace and peace of God the Creator,
the Redeemer, and the Sustainer
be with you this week
and remain with you always.

Go 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.

[Photo by Brenton Salo @ Flickr - www.brentonsalo.com]

Registration
For more details, register online (http://indyclassic.eventbrite.com) or in person at Top Notch on Burnet or at Independence Brewing Co. First Saturday on April 7th for $30

Location
The MetCenter Austin’s premier 550-acre mixed-use business park, featuring a private 18-hole disc golf course.  The course is located at the corner of Burleson and Montopolis just down the road from Independence Brewing Co.

Format
The tournament will be a 2-person team format tournament with 2 teams on each scorecard.  This will not be a sanctioned PDGA event, though we will use PDGA rules.  The team format will help keep the game flowing and fun for all skill levels.

Prizes
All players receive a commemorative disc and t-shirt and burger compliments of Top Notch!. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams.  Prizes will consist of sponsorship donation and disc golf gear!

[Photo by Kyle Beatty @ Flickr]

Come, O God, come near.
For we who were one time far off,
are drawn close by the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ.

He is our peace, who has made us one
and has broken down the wall between us.

We come to you, no longer as strangers or foreigners,
but as fellow citizens with the saints
and as your household, your family, through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.

We thank you and pray in the name
of the Father, of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

Lord, you call,
but we do not always recognize your voice.
Sometimes we don’t listen carefully.
Sometimes we’re caught off guard.

Lord, you call,
but we haven’t always taught others to hear you.
Sometimes we stand in the way,
allowing our voice to ring out over yours.

Lord, you call,
but we don’t always believe our ears.
Sometimes we believe we know better.
Sometimes we think you can’t possibly be calling us, or her, or him.

Forgive us, Lord, our unpracticed listening,
our closed ears.
Help us to hear.

All this we ask of you, confident in your unchanging faithfulness,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

How is the foolishness of God wiser than the wisdom of man?
What was your journey before God called you?

Benediction

Now go, and live before God in openness and integrity.
Set your minds on the ways of him,
not clinging to your own life,
but taking up your cross and following Jesus and his teachings.

And may God give you a share in the eternal covenant;

May Christ Jesus be proud of you when he comes in glory;

And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you in faith
and lead you in the ways of righteousness.

Live this week, praising 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.

[Photo by iamnotiamyes @ Flickr]

[Photo by ana cabaleiro @ Flickr]

Prayers of Thanksgiving. For …

• My college community, where one of the professors was arrested. For healing and repentance. (Jonny)
• My mom who had been out of work for almost two years and found work this week (Danielle)
• Finding out that I will become an aunt soon (Catie)
• My parents finally selling their house (Su)
• God answering my previous prayer to be a blessing to others (Yvonne)

… let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Prayers of Petition. For …

• My father who recently lost his job (Skylar)
• God to protect my brother’s future baby (Catie)
• Those of us who struggle with aimlessness and being overwhelmed with choices (Aaron)
• My brother Jason who is getting into unhealthy things in life (Sara)
• My parents’ transition to Austin (Su)
• A close friend of mine who has new baby with mental issues
• Three of my friends that had a close friend recently pass away (Bethany)

… let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

[Photo by Jack Ficklen @ Flickr]

Lord God, make us pilgrims throughout these forty days.
Lead us through discipline to discipleship.
Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom.

We offer you our prayers this day:
For your church around the world,
we ask for new life.
For all who carry out ministries in your church,
we ask for grace and wisdom.

For people who have accepted spiritual disciplines,
we ask for inspiration and perseverance.
For this troubled and warring world,
we ask for peace.

For those who can not believe,
we ask for your faithful love.
For people who suffer and sorrow,
we ask for your healing peace.

God of compassion,
we thank you that you look upon our lives
with love and understanding,
and that you desire for all to have new life in Jesus Christ.

By your Spirit, strengthen our souls to be steadfast
in Christ’s service.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

Lord of our hearts, God of our lives, hear our prayers:
the sighs, the cries, the joys of our deepest thoughts.

We share all our thoughts with you, O God,
knowing that you hear and answer us,
providing us with what is best.
Come, O God, and hear us now.

Lord of all, source of health and healing,
we come to you with worries, concerns, fears, wrongs, and sins.

We seek your compassion,
turning over to you all that separates us from you,
God of our hectic busyness and petty obsessions,
God of our secrecies and our defeats.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

We pray to you, our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

– written by Lisa Frenz

Reflection

Do we embrace the rescue of God?
How do our lives reflect our answer to Jesus’ question of whether we’ll follow him?

Benediction

May you depart knowing the invitation of God, to move
from comfort to insecurity,
from what we know to what we have yet to discover,

from where we have been to where we have yet to go,
from safety to a place of risk.

Go in the name of Jesus, our Christ,
who said ‘follow me’ without saying where he was going,
just promising transformation and relationship
with the Triune God along the way.

Live this week, praising 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.

[Photo by M/TB/ZM/L @ Flickr]