Liturgy

God, Creator and Giver of all that is good,
we thank you for our many blessings.
Mindful of your generosity,
we acknowledge that we all have is from you.

Daily, we will offer you thanks and praise for the beauty of the earth,
our work, our family and our loved ones.

In the dawning of a new day, you are with us.
In each dark hour, you are here.
Blessed by your grace, we show gratitude by sharing what we have.
By serving our brothers and sisters, we serve you.

As you protect and guide us on our journey, we, your stewards,
remain ever grateful for your constant love.

We thank you and ask for your continual work in us.
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 good Creator,
you have given us so much,
but too often we take those gifts for granted,
or as something to which we are entitled.

You call us to live in caring community,
but too often we place our wants and needs first,
with those of others a distant second.

You call us to share your good gifts with the world around us,
but we are worried that there may not be enough,
and our worrying gets in the way of our sharing.

For all the times when we mistreat and misuse your gifts,
for all the times we assume that we get what we have by ourselves,
forgive us and lead us back to the path of wisdom.

God is a gracious giver.
God is gracious in forgiveness.
God calls us to new patterns and new life.

We are a forgiven people,
and we pray to our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

Do you approach scripture with a cognitive (head) or affective (heart) approach? How would it look like to approach it in a paradoxical manner (holistic)?
How can you bring the reality of who you are right now to allow Scripture to take us apart and allow us to experience God?

Benediction

Go out into the world,
and labor to bring forth new lives
of humility, of peace and of grace.

Dream dreams, pursue visions
and speak of God’s goodness and generosity
in the words of those who would hear.

And may our God who breathed life into creation be your delight.

May Christ Jesus give hope to your dreaming,
and may the Holy Spirit, your advocate and guide,
set your hearts ablaze with a passion for peace.

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 Andreas Ohman @ Flickr]