Liturgy

We believe in God,
who speaks through the prophets
and lifts our gaze up to high and beautiful paths and peaks.

We believe in Christ Jesus,
free of corruption yet willingly numbered among the sinners,
baptized in the waters of the Jordan.

We believe in the Spirit,
who rested on Jesus like a dove,
and inspired him with such love
as the world has not seen before or since.

We believe that those who are baptized into Christ
shall share his Spirit, his mission
and his ultimate victory over sin and death.

We believe that there is no human ability that can not be enlarged,
and no weakness that can not be used by Christ to the praise of God.

We believe that as children of God,
we are the recipients of a healing grace
which precedes and supersedes all our efforts to be true.

With the help of God,
we will attempt to live our beliefs all the days of our lives,
and by his grace, build up the church
with humble service to the world.

We believe and worship in the name of the Father,
of the risen Son and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.

Community Confession

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

Almighty Jesus,
the Savior of the heavens and earth,
we confess that we do not always live into
the message of hope and salvation,
the promise of eternal life.
Lord, our risen and victorious one, hear our prayers.

We live in ways that make the here and now
more important than the future.
We live in ways that put ourselves and our own success first
over the needs of others and the long-term needs of the world.

We live in ways where we ignore your presence with us,
too preoccupied with only what we think is important.
Lord, our risen and victorious one, have mercy on us.

Forgive us for our selfish ways and call us to your path, Christ,
you who humbled himself and gave himself up for us on the cross,

so that death might be no more
and that all can share in the joy of salvation and eternal life.

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

Reflection

How can we see Jesus in those around us and the circumstances we encounter?
Who are the strangers that we need to extend hospitality to?

Benediction

Go from here as witnesses of what you have seen and heard.
Share God’s love with those you meet.
Bring hope to those who are in despair.

Live lives of gratitude and praise.
And may the love of God,
the peace of Jesus Christ,
and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit
be within you and among you until we meet again.

Go, proclaiming the name of the Father,
of the Risen Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.

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

[Photo by james p. lucero @ Flickr]