Liturgy
Here today there is Love,
freely available to all.
Not our human loving,
fragile and intermittent,
but God’s supreme love.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth,
break forth into joyous songs of praise.
Here today is Love, higher than
our loftiest hopes, deeper than
the immensities of time and
space, God’s inclusive love.
Let the seas roar their praise, and
everything in them. Let the rivers
clap their hands and the hills sing
together their happiness.
Loving God, take this day.
Take our fears, our worries,
distractions, and turn them into
moments of grace and mercy.
May we follow the example of
your Risen Son, Jesus Christ,
who intercedes on our behalf.
May we love as he so loved.
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.
Our response will be highlighted in yellow.
O Lord, forgive us when we fail to remember
and respond to your call with faith.
Through your Spirit, may we stand
in the assurance of your acceptance.
Forgive us when we are shackled by our
narrow understandings of discipleship
and our clouded sense of purpose.
Through your Spirit, may you illuminate
our faith with your empowering love.
Forgive us when we lose ourselves
in worrying of the future or pull back
from the demand of your calling.
Forgive us when we fail to sense your
presence in our past, to acknowledge
your grace in the present moment,
and to trust you for our future.
Through your Spirit we offer ourselves in
discipleship. We join in community as your
followers. We seek renewed and renewing faith.
We remember you, praying
in the name of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 5.17.15 – Easter VII: Ascension
How do we distinguish God’s protection as conservationism instead of conservatism?
How do we pursue a mind of joy?
How can we live according to God’s original design and purpose?
Benediction
The Lord, God almighty is our Father:
let us be thankful this week for he
loves us and tenderly cares for us.
The Lord, Jesus Christ is our Saviour:
may we serve him with grace and
courage for he has redeemed us
and will defend us to the end.
The Lord, the Holy Spirit is among us:
may we rely and continually seek his presence
for he will lead us in God’s holy way.
To God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be praise and glory today and forever.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.