Liturgy

We thank you, God,
for your gifts of beginnings and ends.
To start again the work you have called us to do,
and to finish well with your Spirit guiding us.

And yet, God of the covenant,
even when we fail and fall into sin,
your Spirit invites us to remember
that you chose us to be your servant people.

Awaken us to the power and gifts
you pour into us for the good of creation,
and grant that we may be trustworthy in all things,
producing abundantly as we work to build your kingdom.

We ask all this 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.

Again we must confess, Creator of the Universe,
our struggles to be faithful disciples.
Entrusted with all your gifts,
we become fearful once again of misusing them,
missing the chance to be a blessing to others.

Invited to dance in the light of your love,
we choose instead to stand motionless,
keeping company with our old ways and habits.

Called to be emptied for those who struggle in life,
we fill ourselves once again, with scorn
for the poor choices they make.

Have mercy, oh God, have mercy on us.
Open our eyes to your kingdom in our midst,
so we might discover that your day of hope and grace has
already come through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

And in doing so, let us act upon your calling and
to be courageous in our service to our world.

We ask and pray to our God in community, holy in one. Amen.

Reflection

How would you live differently knowing how our story ends?
What would you do to live in a sober manner?

Benediction

Take your encouragement from Christ,
that your joy may be complete.
We will share in the Spirit;
We will find consolation in love.
Practice a ministry of humility and compassion,
For God is at work in you, empowering you.
We will welcome Christ into our hearts.
We will live lives worthy of the Gospel.
We will go forth in hope and in peace,

to serve others 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 julie ann tingley @ Flickr]