Liturgy

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.

But over you the Lord will rise,
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.

Your gates will always be open;
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, the City of the Lord,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Violence will no more be heard in your land,
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation,
and all your portals, Praise.

The sun will no more be your light by day;
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your ever lasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.

Isaiah 60: 1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19

Congregational Prayer

God, thank you for your Spirit breaking down barriers
within and without.
Barriers that distort our ability to lead a life
fully integrated with you and your ways.
And yet, forgive us for the times
we have deliberately resisted the Spirit’s work
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
have mercy on us.

Forgive us God for the barriers we create within ourselves,
Barriers that resist your healing work
and prevent us moving toward wholeness.
Forgive our self-centeredness, our anger,
our fear of change, our lack of trust in your love.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
have mercy on us.

Forgive us God, for the barriers we create
between us and you,
Barriers that separate us from your love
and the assurance of your salvation.
Forgive our business, our independence,
our desire to go our own way.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
have mercy on us.

Forgive us God, for the barriers we create
between us and each other,
Barriers that separate us from neighbors
near and far and inhibit mutual love and care.
Forgive our resentment of others, our love of control,
our indifference to the poor.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
have mercy on us.

Forgive us God, for the barriers we create
between us and your beautiful creation,
Barriers that abuse your world
and deny our responsibility as stewards.
Forgive our greed, our misuse of resources,
our pollution of your world.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
have mercy on us.

God, by your Spirit, free us and break down these barriers.
Turn us away from the bondage of a life
lived for ourselves and our own desires,
May your Spirit guide us into the freedom of life
lived for you and your purposes.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
have mercy on us.

God we go into this day
knowing it is you who makes us stand firm in Christ.
We are filled with your Spirit,
We are anointed to serve,
We go out to bring resurrection life.

In the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Reflection

How can Vox be a part of the larger church of Austin?

What would it look like for us to long for the presence of God?

Do you allow the Holy Spirit to interrupt your day?

Benediction

May the word of Christ guide you.

May the light of his Spirit bless the work you do
with the love and warmth of your heart.
May people see in you
the beauty of your soul reflecting the image of Christ.
May your work never weary you.
May the Holy Spirit within
overflow with the wellsprings of refreshment,
inspiration and excitement
that all may know how good
and gracious is our Father in heaven.

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

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

[Photo by B Tai @ Flickr]