Liturgy

Every generation has found its home in you,
God our provider, and we discover that every
moment spent in your holy presence lasts
beyond all imaginable time.

You watch over us in the night,
protecting and leading, encouraging
us to trust and to take courage
in following your Son’s teachings.

Full of wisdom, Creator of grace,
you humbled yourself that we might learn
to love those who have been swept aside
by a world caught up in its own selfish affairs.

Witnesses to God’s mercy,
we are called to act in ways
of love and of peace
to all we meet in this life.

Thank you for giving us your
Son, Jesus, and for his life.

Continue to be the dwelling place
of our minds, hearts and souls,
that we may spur one another on,
serving your kingdom here on earth.

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

Community Confession

O God,
we live our lives as best we can—
dealing with difficult relationships
and situations, putting failures and
disappointments behind us,

and moving into each new day
with as much energy, goodwill,
and optimism as we can muster.

But here, right now, we seldom have
the right answers, we seldom seek
your higher wisdom in our lives.
We just move ahead directionless.

Forgive us for not asking for your insight.
Fill us with your wisdom, that we may live
lives of courage, goodness and peace.

We pray for mercy in the name
of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
who lives to intercede for us,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

What areas in our lives do we seek to control in order to avoid God or people? How have we checked out of certain relationships?
How can we pray and participate in such a way that we understand God wants our collaboration?

Benediction

May you depart here knowing
the invitation of God, to move
from comfort to insecurity,
from what we know to what
we have yet to discover,

from where we have been to
where we have yet to go,
from safety to a place of risk.

Go in the name of Jesus, our Christ,
who said ‘follow me’ without saying
where he was going, just promising
transformation and relationship
with the Triune God along the way.

Live this week, serving all
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 irenkapatrzy @ Flickr]