Liturgy

Open my lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

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.

– Psalm 51

Congregational Prayer

Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
O God, shepherd to all who go astray, have mercy upon us.

We have followed too much the devices
and desires of our own hearts,
we have offended against your holy laws.
O God, sovereign ruler of justice, have mercy upon us.

We have left undone the teachings of your Son,
and we have acted on things
which we ought not to have done.
O Holy Spirit, God’s advocate and guide,
speak to us and have mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us,
spare those who confess their faults,
restore those who are humble
according to your promises declared unto mankind
in Christ Jesus, our Lord;

and grant, O Father, for his sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

Reflection

What do you do in your attempt to please God?

Is the way you live and think a reflection of who Christ is? Have you allowed him to transform what’s on the inside?

Are you an active learner or have you become stagnant in trying to grow in your understanding of God?

What are some things in your life that are difficult to give up control of? What would faith and endurance look like in those areas?

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 .David Chu @ Flickr]