Liturgy

It is truly right always and everywhere to praise you,
Lord God our Father, Lover of all.

Your wind swept the waters when our world began,
and you spoke the Word that was always your Word.

Through him all things came to be,
and his life lightened every life with the light,
darkness could not swallow.

And when sin’s deadly shadow fell everywhere,
your Word came in flesh to live with us.
The world he made did not know him;
his homeland refused him.

But he fulfilled your purpose, and loved us to the end.
On the cross he handed over the Spirit of life,
flowing forever like water from a living spring.

Now all who receive Christ are children of God:
born from above, they blow through the world with your Spirit,
bearing witness for the truth of your Word,

living forth your teachings to bless all
in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

God our healer,
we stand on the edge of your promises and hopes,
yet cannot seem to let ourselves cross
over into the life you intend for us.

We seek praise from our families,
yet are unable to tell them how much we love them.
Lord, have mercy and guide us.

We care more about our needs and desires,
than for the struggles of our neighbors.
Lord, have mercy and guide us.

We think more about the trash we read and see
than focusing on the Spirit of wisdom.
Lord, have mercy and guide us.

Forgive us, Everlasting God.
Renew our lives with your grace;
restore our hopes with your vision of tomorrow;

refresh our spirits with your joy which comes to us new
in each moment in the gift of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

We pray to our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

How persistent is our practice of prayer?
How can we listen and be silent in our times of prayer?

Benediction

Go forth into our world in faithfulness.
Join all those who have traveled with the Lord
throughout the generations.

Take the song and rhythm of God’s Word into the world
and invite others to celebrate the joy with you.

May you be courageous in the work you do,
generous in the love you give,
and gracious to all you meet,
that the name of our Lord may be praised throughout this week.

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 Randy P. Martin @ Flickr]