Liturgy

O God,
we trust in your power,
even as it is often found in weakness;

in your wisdom,
even as it is expressed in seeming foolishness;
in your wholeness,
even as it comes to us amid brokenness.

We do not ask this day for
displays of strength, exercises of intellectual prowess,
or manifestations of miracles.

We come only to worship you.

Be with us this day, O Lord, sinners that we are,
that we might become your saints, your body,
your children, your church.

For this community of your Spirit is built not upon our
own abilities, knowledge, or restorative skill, but upon you,
in Jesus Christ, whom you gave up for all of humanity.

We thank you and pray 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.

Father, we see the good things in the world and in your law,
and we hear your invitation to live life as it is meant to be lived.

Yet, we often ignore you and ignore the good things you would have us do.
Instead, we chase our own desires and satisfy our selfish appetites.
Father, we have sinned. In your mercy, forgive us.

We see Jesus in his life, tirelessly loving others,
pouring out himself for them, and ultimately giving up his life.

Yet, we are selfish with our time and energy,
failing to love our friends and family because
we are too tired, too stressed, too preoccupied.
Jesus, we have sinned. In your mercy, forgive us.

You have given us your Spirit to comfort and guide us.
He speaks to our hearts and leads us to truth.

But we look for guidance everywhere else –
turning to other people and to human intellect
instead of seeking your counsel,
and ultimately we just do what we selfishly wish for ourselves.

Spirit of God, we have sinned. In your mercy, forgive us.

Help us, Father, to hear your voice.
May we be a people strengthened by your life and your teachings,
that all may see your grace reflected in our lives abundantly.

We pray to our God in community, holy in One. Amen.

Reflection

Where do I feel resistance to God and/or my life’s work?
What would it look like to engage my resistance with compassion?

Benediction

We go now, secure in the love of God
from which nothing can separate us.

We delight in seeking the Lord –
looking always for the power and the presence of God,
letting love permeate all that we do.

May God work for good in all things through us;
May Christ Jesus conform us in the image of his sacrificial love;

And may the Holy Spirit help us in our weakness,
interceding for us, and in us, according to the will of God.

In peace, may we live to love and serve the Lord.
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 Jared Atkins @ Flickr]