Liturgy

O God,
we trust in your power,
even as it is often found in weakness;

in your wisdom,
even as it is expressed in seeming foolishness;
in your wholeness,
even as it comes to us amid brokenness.

We do not ask this day for
displays of strength, exercises of intellectual prowess,
or manifestations of miracles.

We come only to worship you.

Be with us this day, O Lord, sinners that we are,
that we might become your saints, your body,
your children, your church.

For this community of your Spirit is built not upon our
own abilities, knowledge, or restorative skill, but upon you,
in Jesus Christ, whom you gave up for all of humanity.

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.

O God,
we see that in life, we are sometimes like David,
and sometimes more like Goliath:
forgive us for our two-sided nature,
and have mercy on us, O God.

We face the powerful with righteous anger,
but cling to any sense of power that we attain.
Forgive our pride and arrogance, O God,
and have mercy on us.

We are grateful when grace is extended to us,
yet remain absent-minded of this when others have wronged us.

We treat our own as family, yet ignore sisters and brothers
whom we see only from a distance.
Show us how to love equally and without fail, O God.

As people of paradox,
we long for oneness with ourselves and others,
with Christ and creation,
so that justice and love may flow freely.

Hear us, O God, and lead us in your everlasting way.

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

Reflection

How do we rely too much on our own strength and abilities?
In what ways can we embrace the fact that God uses and chooses the weak things of this world?

Benediction

Go out, among the outcast and the grieving,
and speak the word of life and hope.
Do not fear, but trust in God’s word.

Watch for the Lord with eager expectation,
and be generous with all God has given you.

And may God respond to your every cry with mercy;
May Christ Jesus take you by the hand and lift you to life;

and may the Holy Spirit build you up in faith, in speech,
in knowledge, in passion and in love.

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 coolhandluke @ Flickr]