Liturgy

Redeeming God,
we journey in hope:
daring to believe in impossible things;
seeing your imprint on our lives and in our world;

knowing that you break through in unexpected ways,
even in confusion and despair:

in the love of friends and strangers;
in the beauty of creation
and in the laughter of our neighbors,
where we catch a glimpse of you.

Redeeming God
journey with us:
be our hope, and be our prayer.

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

Community Confession

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

Gracious and merciful God,
we confess to you our reluctance to enter the places
where we are confronted with our true selves.

The places where we are tempted to put worldly values
before our desire for you,
and when our hunger for power and wealth is greater
than our hunger for seeking and doing your will:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.

When we are tempted to use the gifts you give us
to benefit ourselves at the expense of serving others:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.

When we are tempted to use sensational means to increase people’s faith,
rather than being guided by the humility of Christ:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.

When we are tempted to use bribery to influence and control people:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.

When we are tempted to manipulate you, O God, to satisfy our own needs:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.

Merciful God,
save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
Forgive us our sins and fill us with the joy and peace of your salvation.

Strengthen us with your Spirit
that we may put our whole trust in you as confidently as Jesus did.

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

Reflection

What does trusting God look like for you?
Do you trust that grace in your decision making?
How can you trust God in authoring your story this week?

Benediction

May the Lord put test to our faith.
May he challenge our trust,
and may we be disturbed from our every day lives.

Whether it be in the glimpses of an angelic light
or in the face of a stranger in need,
may the Lord challenge our faith.

May we rise to the purpose God has vested in each of us;
May we answer his call and say “Your will be done, and not mine.”

May our hearts know the trust of not being afraid,
and our confidence rooted in the knowledge that nothing
is impossible with God.

So go forth this week, remembering
the love 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 Amber Marie Chavez @ Flickr]