Liturgy

God of all,
You call us together from north, south, east, and west;

from places of joy and sorrow;
young and old alike:
sinners who desperately need your grace.

As your Holy Spirit gathers us together,
unites us as a community, and gives us strength,
we humbly set this time apart
from anything normal, routine, or worldly.

We dedicate this time, this time right now,
to a holy and heavenly and peculiar purpose:
worshipping you through Christ Jesus.

May our every thought, word, and action
be true worship to you and sustain us throughout our week.

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

Congregational Confession

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

Eternal Lord, your grace and glory is evident if only we look closely around us.
We see them in your creation and in the redemption of all things.

Everything that has been or will be owes its
goodness and beauty to your hand.
Let everything that has breath praise you, Lord.

Yet all of creation is struggling and suffering under the weight and curse of sin.
Our hearts are in that struggle as well.
Lord, have mercy on us.

For the sins we commit against our friends, family and neighbors:
sins of pride, selfishness, and malice –
Lord, have mercy on us.

For the sins we commit against strangers:
sins of exclusion, of prejudice, of injustice and hatred of those not like us –
Lord, have mercy on us.

Lord we believe with the psalmist that our sin is ultimately against you and you alone. For our idolatry, our lust, our love of money, status, and possessions –
Lord, have mercy on us.

Restore us and let not your anger fall on us,
Favorably turn your face to us for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in each of us and all of your church the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory to the world,
and proclaim of your goodness and mercy to all,

God in community, holy in One, we pray.
Amen.

Reflection

What causes you to pray?
Are your prayers for your own benefit or for friendship with God?
How can prayer lead you to worship?

Benediction

In this week, take time, when you can, to be still.
Ponder the one who gave his life to bring forth the kingdom of God.

We will honor Christ by believing in God’s vision for creation;
We will be like good soil, in which the seeds of justice may grow.

God speaks to us in the life of Jesus;
Let us hear the word and understand it.

We are witnesses to God’s transforming power;
We go forth as Christ’s partners in the work of justice and love.

All 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 Gideon Tsang @ Flickr]