Liturgy

Traveling God,
we journey with you together in faith:
sometimes with confidence and hope,
sometimes with faltering steps;

from places of clarity
to the shadows of mystery;
never still, never certain
but ever-changing and growing;

never quite knowing what the future might bring,
but trusting that you hold us in love,
we thank you for your merciful presence.

Traveling God,
journey with us:
be our path and our destination.

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

Congregational Prayer

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

All-powerful and all-glorious God,
We have not been faithful to you in thought, word, or deed;
hear us as we call out to you in our weakness.

We read in your word that you are the one true King,
but in our decisions and actions,
we pledge allegiances to lesser kings.

We know that your story
is indeed good news for all humanity,
yet we so often fail to share with others
the reason for the hope that is within us.

Sovereign God, forgive us of our wrongs.

Have mercy on us,
soften our hardened hearts
and reform us by your Holy Spirit,
that together, we may learn to be a blessing to all
with the new life you offer through Christ our King,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

Who do you trust in making a promise?
Do you trust God’s promises to us? Why or why not?

Benediction

Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your mind and your soul.

We will love God knowing
no other substitute will suffice,
the very mention of God’s name will be precious
as we cleave to our time of communion with the sacred.

Love your neighbor as yourself.
We will respect the wisdom of our elders.
We will protect the lives and the reputations of those around us.
We will cherish the relationships entrusted to us.

We will not take what is not ours.
We will learn the value of enough.

Love the Lord your God,
and serve him this week

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 wimwamplus @ Flickr]