Liturgy

Living God,
thank you for never leaving us alone
in the work you call us to do.

We thank you for leading each of us here to Austin
and everyone who works and is connected
within our small community.

Thank you for the richness of experience,
the diversity of gifting,
the depth of hope,
the quality of commitment
all held here.

And yet, remind us to never keep
what you have given to ourselves,
instead, giving freely to our
friends and to those around us.

We pray that our friendships
will be honest, open and true;
that we will never fear vulnerability with each other

but help to build each other up;
through sharing our experiences
reflecting on your presence in them
discovering who we really are
and working out what we should do.

Help us to listen well to each other
to speak words wisely
to hold silences sensitively

to be as willing to learn as to teach
so that in all things you are glorified.
Let your kingdom come.

Congregational Prayer

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

God of life and all living things,
your breath fills the universe and brings it alive;
We praise You, O God, for the gift of your Spirit

Your love shines through all creation and makes it one;
We praise You, O God, for the gift of Your Spirit

Your presence fills every corner, your voice fills every silence,
and your heartbeat lives within every living thing;
We praise You, O God, for the gift of Your Spirit

Yet, we often fail to value the life of other people,
other creatures and the world you have given to be our home.
Lord, forgive us

We often fail to recognize the connectedness of all things,
and bring pain through division, exclusion and selfishness.
Lord, forgive us

We often deny your presence, ignore your voice
and forget your love for us and all that you have made.
Lord, forgive us.

Father, we remember your mercy
and look to your Son for forgiveness.

May your Spirit breathe new life into us, empower us,
and guide our steps this day and forever.

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

Reflection

What would it look like to organize your faith?
How do your talents and experiences contribute to Vox’s call to the city?

Benediction

God our Father, as followers of Jesus,
we accept our commission from you to invest our lives in others.

We will live out your kingdom here with humility, wisdom and courage,
asking your Son to be our model of grace in the world.

Give us eyes to see the path of service you desire and
ears to hear the cry of the world’s needs.

May you be our Lord, our light, and guardian
in the work you call us to do.

We leave here to serve
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 brianwferry @ Flickr]