Liturgy

Living God,
thank you for never leaving us alone
in the work you call us to do.

We thank you for leading each of us here to Austin
and everyone who works and is connected
within our small community.

Thank you for the richness of experience,
the diversity of gifting,
the depth of hope,
the quality of commitment
all held here. 

And yet, remind us to never keep 
what you have given to ourselves,
instead, giving freely to our 
friends and to those around us.

We pray that our friendships
will be honest, open and true;
that we will never fear vulnerability with each other

but help to build each other up;
through sharing our experiences
reflecting on your presence in them
discovering who we really are
and working out what we should do.
 
Help us to listen well to each other
to speak words wisely
to hold silences sensitively

to be as willing to learn as to teach
so that in all things you are glorified.
Let your kingdom come.

Community Confession

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

God of unity and love,
place within each of us
a spirit of hope and true community.

Have mercy upon us
when we speak without love
or act without humility.

Raise us up to be your children,
growing toward maturity in faith and love.

Cleanse us with the living water of your grace.
Create in us willing hearts
to live in patience and gentleness.

Strengthen our church,
that we may be a community
that humbly and generously serves
our city and world.

Father, may your will be done here and forever more.
We pray to our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

How do we engage God through prayer?
In what ways can we focus on simply being through prayer and not seek action or resolution?

Benediction

We go now, secure in the love of God
from which nothing can separate us.

We delight in seeking the Lord –
looking always for the power and the presence of God,
letting love permeate all that we do.

May God work for good in all things through us;
May Christ Jesus conform us in the image of his sacrificial love;

And may the Holy Spirit help us in our weakness,
interceding for us, and in us, according to the will of God.

In peace, may we live to love and serve the Lord.
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 Saria Dy @ Flickr]