Liturgy
Mighty God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
you stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning
when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people.
We give thanks 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.
Compassionate and Gentle God,
you have created us in love to be your people.
We give thanks and praise you for our community, oh God.
Yet, as we gather for worship,
we are reminded that we have lost sight of this gift
and forgotten how to really love you.
We worship other gods,
put our faith in the riches of this world,
and impress ourselves with misguided power and stability.
Lord, have mercy on us.
We have looked for help in the wrong places
and ignored the extravagances you lay before us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Send your Spirit to come and breathe its life-sustaining and life-altering
presence into us in these moments of worship.
Send your Spirit of renewal and transformation.
Send your Spirit that up-ends our lives and sets us on a new path.
Send your Spirit, O Lord, that we may learn to follow you.
Hear our prayers and remake us in your image once again.
We pray these things in the name of the One
who rose from the grave.
Amen.
Reflection
What is our love defined by and what does substitutional sacrifice look like for you?
How does love look like lived out and not just talked about?
Benediction
As we depart from this place of worship,
Go, knowing that the Good Shepherd goes with us.
Go, knowing that all of heaven is on our side,
To urge us onward,
To lift us heavenward,
To strengthen us always,
Wherever we go,
That we may serve and enrich his kingdom with joy
and thanksgiving in our hearts, this day and for ever.
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 Marine Beccarelli @ Flickr]