Liturgy

God sovereign and generous,
who commands the rise and fall of the nations,
who calls and has chosen many peoples,
who weeps when they harm each other,

who haunts every local culture – including ours –
with your will for well-being,
who draws close to the powerless and
surprises with power via weakness…

You are the one whom we praise in astonishment,
we adore in gladness,
we thank in gratitude…
for who you are,
for what you do,
for how you hope.

Look with mercy on us this day,
on your church which we serve and love,
on all the people in our thoughts,
on all the communities so fragile in which
we are embedded.

Look with your mercy, and we will obey you all the day long.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Community Confession

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

For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your name forever.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown, things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Reflection

In what times and places have you seen God work in your life before?
How can we pay attention to what God is doing around us and for us to be a part of it?

Benediction

We plant seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, 
knowing that they hold future promises.
We lay foundations 
that need further development.

We provide yeast that produces effects 
beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything 
and there is a sense of liberation 
in realizing that.

You enables us to do some things 
and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, 
a step along the way,

an opportunity for your grace 
to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results

but that is the difference 
between you, the master builder and the worker. 

We are the workers, not master builders, 
ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets 
of a future not our own.

We are your hands and your feet in the world,
and we will go build your church
in the name of you, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

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

[Photo by Clemens Fantur @ Flickr]