Liturgy

O Holy God of Israel,
you faithfully keep the promises
you made to our ancestors
and lead your people into the future,
providing hospitality on the way.

Help us who inherit the pilgrim life
to journey faithfully at your command,
that we may be a community of disciples
called to be sojourners in your service,
in our city and our world.

We ask 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.

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

What do you want your legacy to be?
What does the fear of God look like in your life?

Benediction

God, you have gathered us to this place,
where we hear your stories which show us
what the kingdom of God is like.

God, you call us to this place,
where we can learn how to serve our God
without reservation or hesitation.

Now God, send us from this place,
to tell others of God’s hopes and dreams,
so they too, can experience your hand
working in their lives.

Let us 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 nessavay @ Flickr]