Liturgy
Gracious God,
make each of us an instrument of your grace.
Weave us into a community
showing forth your power and tenderness.
Bless us and our differences, to courageously stand together
when times prove difficult.
We call on you today to gather us in your love.
Lead us to better know you
and glorify you on each step of the journey of our lives.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
may we be peace and a sign of God’s love.
Amen.
Congregational Prayer
Merciful God,
we come to you today
realizing that we are not how you want us to be.
Help us let go of our past, that we may turn toward you
and live again the life of faith.
Merciful God,
forgive us of our sins against friends,
our loved ones, our neighbors.
Help us call out our fear and hatred, our anger and self-pity.
Lift the burden they place on our shoulders.
Merciful God,
Help us set aside our guilt and enter a season of healing.
As we pray and remember you today,
help us become a simple people,
that we may see you plainly.
May we learn to be a better community
for each other and for our city.
Rekindle the sign of hope within our eyes,
that all may see and experience
the love of Christ in all we do.
Let us draw near to you now,
asking in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Reflection
How is faith a difficult journey for you?
Do we have patience to wait for God’s process?
How can we support each other in growing and developing our faith in God?
Benediction
Christ has no body now on earth but ours,
no hands but ours,
no feet but ours.
We are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion
cares for the people of the world;
we are the feet with which Christ is to go about doing good;
we are the hands through which Christ now
brings a blessing.
We promise this day to keep awake,
to live each moment to the full,
to look with eyes of compassion,
and to act with kindness.
In the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.
[Photo by SoCalJinx @ Flickr]