Liturgy

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to serve,
To create, to communicate,
To participate with our good Creator
In the making and remaking of our good world.

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to stand,
To struggle, to suffer, to trust and to love,
And so to join in the unmaking of injustice and
In the liberation of earth from every form of sin.

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to holiness,
To faithfulness, to health, to growth,
To serenity and activity,
To the practices of life
In the kingdom of God.

All our daily work is holy. Every act of service,
Every deed of neighborly kindness,
Every smile or sigh, every touch or tear
Can be a sacramental act expressing the presence of the living God.

Every drop of sweat that falls in honest labor for the common good
Joins with every movement toward others
In the daily liturgy of human work.

Some are given special gifts to equip and inspire others for this daily work of faith and labor of love.

All are channels of grace, given, received,
Shared in a symphony of many voices and instruments,
So the earth may be filled with the glory of God.

Congregational Prayer

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

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who care for the sick, the friendless and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For the special needs and concerns of this community.
Hear us, Lord; for your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

Yet, despite our efforts, we are sinful beings,
Prone to selfishness…self-preservation.

Have mercy upon us, merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us of our sins,
known and unknown, things done and left undone.

Uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Reflection

What are some ways you can participate in the community?
Who are some people who could benefit from your gifts and resources?

Benediction

You are the church. So am I.
Together, we are called to learn God’s music of life
In the unique instruments of our bodies, our persons,
our times, our settings.

Then we are sent out to share it with joy and sincerity wherever we go.
Together, we are part of the lineage of disciples and believers:

The people of God sent into the world, generation after generation,
As Jesus was sent by the Father,
In the power of the Holy Spirit,
For the good of the world.

So let us work and rest together,
Let us play and sing together,
Let us by our faithful lives bring glory to the true and living God.

For we are all clergy
And we are all called 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 Clemens Fantur @ Flickr]