Liturgy

We gather today, O Lord of Life, seeking fullness.
Not the fullness our world offers, but fullness that comes from You.

We spend so much of our lives on things that do not count.
Things that promise much and give little.

Help us now…
today, to find fulfillment in Your love,
May we discover all you have to give,
And seek You while we yet have the gift of days.

Lift us O God, to a higher plane of living,
as we lift our hearts, our minds and our souls
into Your Holy presence.

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

Community Confession

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

Lord, in this season,
we look within ourselves and find that we are still far from your ways.

With sorrowful hearts,
we come before you, O God,
to confess what you already know—
we have failed to keep your laws.
Lord of mercy and of might, hear our prayer to you.

Again and again,
we have followed our own selfish desires,
rather than your holy and life-giving will for our lives.
Lord of mercy and of might, forgive us.

We have twisted your decrees and teachings
to suit our preconceptions and interests rather than your own,
and so, we limit ourselves and have failed to love our neighbors.

Have mercy and forgive us, O God,
and cleanse us from hidden faults,
that the words of our mouths,
and the meditations of all our hearts,
may be acceptable to you,
our Rock and our Redeemer.

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

Reflection

How can we view repentance as an invitation to change our mind and turn ourselves to life the way God intended?
What is God inviting us into and what will we do?

Benediction

Learn from Christ, trust him, delight in him,
give your whole daily affairs to him,
and you will never walk alone
or serve without the eternal joy
which can not be taken from you.

Let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge of God
and of his true Son, Christ Jesus our Lord;

And the blessing of the fullness of God,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
will be with you
today and ever more.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Marine Beccarelli @ Flickr]