Liturgy

Open my lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

— Psalm 51

Community Confession

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

Great and Holy God,
we confess that oftentimes we miss the mark.
We mess up. We fall short.

We disappoint ourselves or others around us.
Most of all, we have not done all that you would have us do.

This is why we are here today:
for community that corrects and inspires us,
for worship that lifts our spirits and above all, you,

for the urgent reminder of your grace that abounds in our lives,
for the peace that enables us to embody your Spirit of peace.

In this time of worship, O Living Lord, remake us.
In this time of worship, O Holy Spirit, dwell within us.

Remind us of our calling to love and serve.
Grant us the courage to be your people
through the Risen Christ,
the only One who sets us free.

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

Reflection

What is your expression of living the church this season?
How can you be inventive in hospitality?
Who is God building your life for?

Benediction

Finally, my friends,
whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –
think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me – put it into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you.

Let us go in the name of the Father,
of the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

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

[Photo by Christina Juarez @ Flickr]