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.

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 our loved ones, our friends, 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 world,
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,
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Reflection

Amidst the testing of our faith, how can we be reminded that God has faith in us?
How have we been able to see our faith passed on to others? Did we like what we saw?

Benediction

Go now, and live by faith in the Son of God.
Pray for God’s justice,
Never welcome evil,
pour out your love freely.

And may God hear your cries for help;
May Christ Jesus stand with you in the face of hostility;
And may the Holy Spirit fill you with faith and life

that you may go forth to proclaim the love of our Father
through your words and deeds.

We go in peace to live the church
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 Lina Scheynius @ Flickr]