Liturgy

Christ Jesus, we dare to believe
in the things we can not see:

In your love for us, in your
love for those around us,
in the hope of eternity.

We dare to believe that another
world is possible, that suffering
can end, that we can play a
part in the kingdom to come.

We dare to believe in heaven on earth,
in the light breaking through, in justice
made new, in your love for us.

And so we gather as one body,
one church with one unified voice,
learning to love as you first loved us,

to worship in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Community Confession

As a community of believers,
Holy One, we open ourselves
to your restorative presence.

We are surrounded by beauty,
yet we often fail to wonder.
We are to be symbols of hope,
yet we often succumb to despair.
God of patience, have mercy on us.

We are blessed beyond measure, yet
we allow greed to shape our generosity.
We are uncommonly free, yet we often
bind ourselves to yesterday’s failures.
God of our past, our present and future,
have mercy on us.

We are gifted and graced as a people of faith,
yet we often fail to let our light shine.

We are loved beyond measure, yet we often
fail to pass on your love unconditionally.
God of abundance, have mercy on us.

In these moments of shared silence,
encourage us to lay down our burdens,
release our fears, forgive our failures,
reclaim our hopes, and align ourselves
with the profound covenant you have
made with us.

All this we confidently pray
in the name of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 10.18.15 -When Helping Loves

What is our motivation for helping people?
What does our fear tell us about our love, identity and understanding of God?
How can we learn to extend the family of God further and expand the circle of inclusion?a

Benediction

Go freely from here as your true selves and
as witnesses of what you have seen and
heard. Share God’s love with all 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.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ultraviolett/18987779229″ target=”_blank”> Sarah Bernhard @ Flickr]