Liturgy

Gracious God,
into the shadows of our isolation
you speak words of life and community.

You challenge the lives we lead,
and you call us away from places we try to call home
to lead us more deeply into the world you love.

With your gentle, healing touch
you redeem the broken places of our lives,
and you heal the wounded places of the earth.

Inspire our worship here this day,
so that we may receive liberation in your word,
and be filled to overflowing,
that we may share your reconciling love throughout the earth.

We ask 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.

Again we must confess, Creator of the Universe,
our struggles to be faithful disciples.

Entrusted with all your gifts,
we become fearful once again of misusing them,
missing the chance to be a blessing to others.

Invited to dance in the light of your love,
we choose instead to stand motionless,
keeping company with our old ways and habits.

Called to be emptied for those who struggle in life,
we fill ourselves once again, with scorn
for the poor choices they may make.

Have mercy, oh God, have mercy on us.
Open our eyes to your kingdom in our midst,
so we might discover that your day of hope and grace has
already come through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

And in doing so, let us act upon your calling,
living abundantly and courageously in our service to our world.

We ask and pray to our God in community, holy in one.
Amen.

Reflection

What do the words that we say reveal about our hearts?
How can our gifts be more about doing in community, rather than individually consuming?
Whose kingdom are we trying to establish in our lives and in the world around us?

Benediction

May God,
who comes to us
in the things of this world,
bless your eyes
and be in your seeing.

May Christ,
who looks upon you
with deepest love,
bless your eyes
and widen your gaze.

May the Spirit,
who perceives what is
and what may yet be,
bless your eyes
and sharpen your vision.

So that you may see and experience
what life in communion with Christ can be.

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 lord the air smells good today @ Flickr]