Liturgy

Heavenly Father, our Provider and Healer, we come to you
and thank you, hoping to find words worthy of your praise.

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
— Psalm 126

We remember now these words of the Psalmist,
that you may find in each of us,
joy in abundance and a heart full of thanksgiving.

We thank you and pray 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.

Father, you invite us in your divine word to rest
and trust in your sovereign care.
But we cling to control, we trust our worries more than your word
and we fill our minds, homes and relationships with stress.
Father, forgive us, and help our unbelief.

Lord Jesus,
you invite us in the gospel to find rest for our souls in following you,
but we prefer being tied to our burdens, our ideologies,
refusing the easy load you promise.
Christ, forgive us, and help our unbelief.

Spirit of God, you have filled our hearts with divine grace.
You open our eyes to the glory of the gospel,
and offer us the peace of Christ.
Spirit of God, have mercy on us.

Help us in our unbelief and fill us with faith in God’s word
and the peace of Christ.

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

Reflection

What are the things that you are thankful for?
How can we approach our lives and our interaction with God with more gratitude?

Benediction

God, who journeyed with all the disciples,
may we also be:

transformed by encountering Christ;
committed to love and be loved;
passionate about your mercy to all;
tenacious in trials and adversity;
sowers of seeds that bring a harvest of joy.

God, who journeys with us
to wherever our paths may lead:

keep us safe in your care;
nourish us on our way;
take from us all that holds us back
from loving our neighbors;
bring us with all your saints to the
joy of your kingdom here on Earth.

We pray 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 heddaselder @ Flickr]