Liturgy

Restore us, O Living God, by the breath of your Spirit,
for some of us are wilted and weary on this journey toward
Easter, anxious for restoration to come once and for all.

Hear our voices crying out amidst the ashes, where we
hide to wait for a new day. Let us not be bound to the
earth by our weariness and tears, but rather swirled
about and lifted up by the wonder of your life within us.

Revive us, O Lord. There is praise to give and work to
be done and surprising life to nurture. No matter our
tired bones, you are not finished with us. By your
goodness and grace, we are not finished!

We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(written by Rachel Hackenberg)

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.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 04.02.17 – Lent: Waiting for Resolution

How might sharing my feelings, needs, and wants with God help me while I’m waiting?

How might God use the ‘waiting’ parts of my life to write an exceptionally good story?

Benediction

In this season of Lent, we are asked to wait.
To be patient in the time of painful reflection.
To sit in the darkness and turbulence of life.
To trust you will deliver us from our troubles.

We long for the time of celebration and look
forward to the light that comes after the dark
night, when we can end our vigilant watch.

But you have also promised us that you are
not far off. Let us use this time to learn what it
means to be faithful to you and to lean on hope.

Let us settle into this time of waiting to
listen and to follow where you will lead us.

We go today to wait for you,
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]