Liturgy

We believe in God the Father
Who created all that is
And gave our ancestors the dignity of freedom,
Which we abused and are abusing still.
God grieves over our evil
And calls us to his better way.
God loves the whole world,
And sent His Son, Jesus, to save, not to condemn.

We believe in Jesus Christ,
Born as God-with-us,
Who taught us in parables, who performed signs and wonders,
Who healed the sick, touched the unclean,
Received failures and welcomed them to his feast.
He trained common people as disciples,
and sent them into the world with his saving love.

He was betrayed, rejected, mocked, tortured, and crucified.
But he rose from death and is alive and with us always,
And lives in us, the hope of glory,
Indwelling and filling us through the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Holy Spirit
Who unites us and gives us gifts so we can serve one another in love.

The Spirit transforms us to live in the way of Christ
And empowers us to make Christ known in gracious words and deeds of justice and compassion.

The Spirit bears fruit in us of love, joy, peace, and all sorts of goodness
And is at work in the world, moving like the wind.

The Holy Spirit invites us into the eternal dance of love:
Father, Son, and Spirit, mutually indwelling,
Moving for, with, in, and through creation,
Forever and forever.

This is the God who we worship.
This is our God who we now praise.

Community Confession

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

God, thank you for your Spirit who breaks down barriers within and without.
Barriers that distort our ability to lead a life fully integrated with you and your ways.
And yet, forgive us for the times we have deliberately resisted the Spirit’s work.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, God, for the barriers we create within ourselves,
Barriers that resist your healing work and prevent us moving toward wholeness.
Forgive our self-centeredness, our anger, our fear of change,
our lack of trust in your love.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, God, for the barriers we create between us and you,
Barriers that separate us from your love and the assurance of your salvation.
Forgive our business, our independence, our desire to go our own way.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, God, for the barriers we create between us and each other,
Barriers that separate us from neighbors near and far and inhibit
mutual love and care.
Forgive our resentment of others, our love of control, our indifference to the poor.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide, have mercy on us.

God, by your Spirit, free us and break down these barriers.
Turn us away from the bondage of a life lived for ourselves and our own desires,
May your Spirit guide us into the freedom of life lived for you and your purposes.
Life giving spirit, God’s advocate and guide, have mercy on us.

God we go into this day knowing it is you who makes us stand firm in Christ.
We are filled with your Spirit,
We are anointed to serve,
We go out to bring resurrection life.

In the name of the Father,
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Reflection

What does it look like for your to interact with the Holy Spirit?
What is the Holy Spirit helping you discover in this season?
How can you discern and participate in what the Holy Spirit is doing?

Benediction

Go in peace to be part of the new creation of human community.

Go in love to take the hands of those who long for
peace and justice, and let God, the Creator,
speak through us in all formation.

Go, asking Jesus to bring all creation to his calling,
and to lead our community to the places where he is needed.

Let the Holy Spirit be your constant companion
throughout the week to guide you and protect you.

We pray 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 jamesparkerlucero @ Flickr]