Liturgy
Gracious God, into the shadows
of our isolation you speak words
of life and community.
You challenge the lives we lead,
and you call us away from places
we try to call home to lead us more
deeply into the world you love.
With your gentle, healing touch
you redeem the broken fragments
in our lives, and you heal the
wounded places of the earth.
Inspire our worship here this day, so that
we may receive liberation in your word, and
be filled to overflowing, that we may share
your reconciling love throughout the earth.
We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Community Confession
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.
When have you experienced homesickness and for what were you longing?
What comfort do you find in how Jesus comforted his disciples?
How do Jesus’ words “I am the way the truth and the life” speak to you?
Benediction
May grace and peace be ours in abundance,
in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
May we be thankful for simple things,
for friendship, for health, for daily bread, for good news.
May we rise above the corruption of power
and become participants in the divine nature.
May we go from this place
to pursue goodness, wisdom, holiness and love.
God the Creator, call us to the work of the kingdom
God the Redeemer, keep us from stumbling
God the Sustainer, transform and inspire us.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.