Liturgy

God, your mercy and love astounds us.
We continually struggle to grasp the idea of unconditional love,
all the while, asking to experience your love, mercy and grace more fully.

Today, we offer our lives afresh.
Enable us to see where you are active
and to be used by you.

When life is hard may we praise you,
When life is busy may we praise you,
In the noise and in the calm,  may our lives be worship to you.

When we are often tempted by this world
and when we are tempted to be our own light,
May your word be our shield.

Your will is good, perfect and pleasing.
Let us see where you have been faithful in the past,
and help us trust you with our future.

We worship you, and pray
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.

Merciful God,
we confess how easy it is for us to begin to adopt
the attitudes and actions of the world around us;
to let our lives be shaped only by culture
rather than by your call.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.

We confess how often we think of our own interests first—
more concerned with our own status than with the well-being of others.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.

We confess that we have not always treated one another
as valued members of your Body, the Church;
that we have allowed intolerance and resentment to tear us apart.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.

We confess that we do not always acknowledge you as Lord,
trusting in our own abilities and following our own goals
rather than submitting ourselves to your will and your call.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.

Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform us.
Change us from within,
so that our words and our lives would bring honor and glory to you,
our Savior and Lord.

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

Reflection

When we examine the sacrifices we make in life, who and what are they for?
What is our faith driven by? Is it duty, guilt or affection for God?

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 Randy P. Martin @ Flickr]