Liturgy

Let us pray
that by growing in love this season
we may bring the peace of Christ to our city.

God our Father,
your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world
and brought mankind the gift of reconciliation
by the suffering and death he endured.

Teach us, the people who bear his name,
to follow the example he has given us:

may our faith, hope and charity
turn hatred into love, conflict into peace, death to eternal life
to all we encounter this week.

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

Congregational Prayer

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

Lord, we have come to see that our lives fall far short of your glory.
Have mercy and forgive us.

Lord, you have given your life for us, and poured out your Spirit,
yet we fail to return your love with all our heart.
Have mercy and change us.
Too often we are selfish and proud,
ignoring you, Lord, and neglecting others.
Have mercy and cleanse us.
Lord, when we do not truly trust and obey you,
we are overwhelmed by self-pity, fear and worry.
Have mercy and deliver us.

In Christ we are given a sure hope and secure love,
yet we follow the false hopes and desires of this world.
Have mercy and forgive us.

Father, through the redeeming death of your Son on the cross,
by your Spirit and through your word,
transform and renew us to follow you with joy.
All this we ask, confident in your unchanging faithfulness. Amen.

Reflection

What are the things we have that we don’t deserve and how much gratitude do we express?
How should we live in a way that’s being sent to our neighborhood, city, and world?

Benediction

Gracious and loving God,
make us one in the body of Christ,
and thankful for bringing us together to remember you.

Send us into the world to do the work you invite us to be a part of:

to find the lost and lonely, to heal broken souls,
to free prisoners, and make the powerful care.

Grant us strength to persevere in our daily work,
to proclaim your truth in all we say
and do your good news in Christ Jesus our Savior.

We go 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 zseike @ Flickr]