Liturgy
Life-giving God, we give you thanks for Jesus
has risen. He comes to us with words of peace
Come to us today. In government rooms
where politicians meet, in city board rooms
where executives plan, in court rooms where
lawyers debate, come with words of peace.
In hospital rooms where people are waiting,
in prison cells where people are afraid, in
homes where people struggle to make ends
meet, come with words of peace.
Come to us whenever we are afraid,
despite the strong and solid doors we
lock to protect ourselves, to shut out the
world, come to us with words of peace.
This Easter breathe on us again with your Spirit,
for you have overcome evil, and wicked plots fail.
The cruelty of the world comes to nothing, and the
betrayal and denial of friends do not prevail.
Renew us in the power of your Spirit, that we
may open the doors and go out into the world
to bring words of peace to the people we meet.
Renew us in the power of your Spirit
that we may have life in your name
and go wherever you send us.
We pray in the name
of the Father,
of he Resurrected Son
and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
(~ written by Susan Miller)
Community Confession
When we keep our faults and failures locked safely away, we have
no need to confess. But God engages our hearts when we least
expect, so we can be filled with forgiveness, with hope, with peace.
God of empty tombs and empty people: when we hesitate
to speak of your hope, forgive us, and give us a voice.
When we find it difficult to love another,
forgive us, and give us new compassion.
When we want to stand with the high and mighty,
forgive us, and put us next to the poor and oppressed.
When we stay locked behind our doubts and sense of safety,
forgive us, and send us out to share your grace.
When we can not believe your Word of new life,
forgive us, and fill us with your joy.
Christ inhabits every shadowed corner of our lives with
the light of Easter. Christ comes into the locked rooms
of our faults, and gifts us with peace, grace and hope.
Christ lives, to fill us with peace, that we may
proclaim the good news of mercy and forgiveness.
Thanks be to you, oh God.
We praise the name of the Father,
of the Resurrected Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 4.03.16 -Passing the Peace
How do we give and receive peace when we are practicing becoming?
How do we give and receive peace when we are practicing belonging?
How can we pass God’s peace to those in our community?
Benediction
Peace be with you.
Behind doors closed and locked in fear,
peace dwell with you.
On this path where the footing is tricky,
peace walk with you.
Through the mist with its disorienting shadows,
peace gaze calmly with you.
At the table, whether crowded or quiet,
peace sit with you.
No matter the turbulence or shifting ground,
peace stand with you.
In every breath, in each wound and every exuberance,
peace be alive with you.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
So go forth this week,
celebrating in the name
the loving Father,
the Resurrected Son
and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
(~ written by Rachel Hackenberg)
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.