Liturgy
Holy and Beloved God, it is hard to hope
when all seems lost. The darkness has a
way of fuzzing our vision, of taking our
eyes off of your holy light.
It’s hardest to see your light when our eyes
are shut – shut to you, shut to each other,
and shut to the suffering that is just barely
disguised by thin smiles and haunted eyes.
Yet, your light shines. Your hope abides with us,
awakening us to your love, and calling us to
share your light with each other.
Help us prepare a way for you in our hearts, that
your love might open our hearts to see you fully.
We gather together,
in the name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Community Confession
God, You pour out love and offer us peace, and
yet we have trouble with grace. We boast in our
suffering, our busyness, our frustration, as if
these earn us your favor.
We forget that you have already brought
us near to you through Christ, we forget
that you make yourself known through
your Spirit, we ignore your outstretched
hand inviting us to life with you.
We long for endurance, character, and hope,
but we glorify our suffering and end up with
idolatry of ourselves.
Forgive us, Holy One, and pour yourself
into our hearts again this day, that we may
give glory to you in all we say and all we do.
We pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 03.19.17 – Suffering
What suffering already might be present for you to take hold of?
How have you not allowed hope to birth out of your suffering?
Benediction
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
in accord with Christ Jesus,
that together we may with one voice glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we are sent out this week
to welcome one another as Christ has
welcomed you, for the glory of God.
So go forth in the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.
[Photo by Krystal @ Flickr]