Liturgy

Come, O God, come near.
For we who were one time far off,
are drawn close by the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ.

He is our peace, who has made us one
and has broken down the wall between us.

We come to you, no longer as strangers or foreigners,
but as fellow citizens with the saints
and as your household, your family, through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.

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.

Lord, you call,
but we do not always recognize your voice.
Sometimes we don’t listen carefully.
Sometimes we’re caught off guard.

Lord, you call,
but we haven’t always taught others to hear you.
Sometimes we stand in the way,
allowing our voice to ring out over yours.

Lord, you call,
but we don’t always believe our ears.
Sometimes we believe we know better.
Sometimes we think you can’t possibly be calling us, or her, or him.

Forgive us, Lord, our unpracticed listening,
our closed ears.
Help us to hear.

All this we ask of you, confident in your unchanging faithfulness,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

How is the foolishness of God wiser than the wisdom of man?
What was your journey before God called you?

Benediction

Now go, and live before God in openness and integrity.
Set your minds on the ways of him,
not clinging to your own life,
but taking up your cross and following Jesus and his teachings.

And may God give you a share in the eternal covenant;

May Christ Jesus be proud of you when he comes in glory;

And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you in faith
and lead you in the ways of righteousness.

Live this week, praising 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 iamnotiamyes @ Flickr]