Liturgy
Lord, we who live in a world of
cities, tall buildings, suburbs,
and gated communities, don’t
necessarily know what sheep are
like or what shepherding entails.
Sometimes we do feel like sheep in our
world being herded by dos and don’ts,
oughts and ought naughts, media, and
voices we don’t even recognize.
Sometimes the din of the voices gets so loud
we can’t even recognize our own voice.
Calm and quiet our hearts,
our minds and our souls
to that one small voice; yours.
And in hearing your voice, may
we respond and hear our own
voices sing out and worship,
praising the name
of the loving Father,
of the Resurrected Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
(Rev Abi)
Community Confession
Master, Savior, Shepherd, Messiah —
we know you by many names, Lord.
Your presence fills our lives — all
that we are and all that we have
comes from you; all that you do
declares your love for us.
We are your people,
and we praise you, Lord.
Yet when trouble comes,
when adversity plagues us,
when apathy quells our fire,
we wonder where you are;
we even wonder who you are.
Forgive us, and call us back to you.
How quickly we forget
that you are always with us.
Forgive us, and call us back to you.
Dispel our gloom and despair.
Change our garments of darkness
into robes of dazzling light.
Call us back to you time and again.
Lead us in the paths of righteousness,
for it is in your name that we pray,
our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.
Sermon and Reflection
How do we take a small risk when the support is there?
When do we need to reach for support in order to risk trusting?
How do we practice curiosity and wonder?
Benediction
Go now with your trust in the
Good Shepherd, and let us love,
not just in words, but in truth
and also in action.
Believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and
love one another, just as he has taught us.
May God be at your side, even in valleys of death.
May Christ Jesus be the cornerstone of your life.
May the Holy Spirit abide in you and tend you
with love and mercy all the days of your life.
Let us go, trusting in the name of
the loving Father,
the resurrected Son,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.