Liturgy

The table of Jesus is our place of gathering.
Here, you are welcome and wanted.
Here, there is a place set for you.

Come all who are hungry for the bread of life.
Whose souls cry out for healing.
Come all who are weary, who worry,
Who ache with the tiredness of living.

Come all you who are lost,
All you who search for meaning but can not find it
All you who have no place of belonging.
Jesus invites you here.

Draw near with faith.
And find that there is enough for all.
All your hunger. All your worry.
All your fear and uncertainty.

We pray this this morning,
In the name of the Father
Of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Community Confession

O God,
We believe this: there is something within us right now—
so small that we might not know it is there;
but it has the power to grow into something our world needs.

We trust that you are never done with us.
With you, there is always a new beginning,
a new possibility to make something different of ourselves,
and to make a difference in the lives of others.

O God, surprise us with a strength we did not know we had,
with creative possibilities we never dreamed of.

We will open ourselves to the Spirit’s quiet prompting.
We will trust that you provide for us
the gifts, talents, and character we need
to be an instrument of transformation and loving service.

O God, instill in us the confidence to
serve you in ways both great and small,
and serve our community both near and far,
wherever we may be needed.

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

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 08.06.17 – Fulfillment

What “self-talk” messages do I tell myself about my needs?
Do I have a need that never seems fulfilled? How might I name that need to God and my community?

Benediction

Today, like everyday, we seek fulfillment.
Let us go from this place with renewed
confidence in the One who is capable
of giving what we need most.

May God reveal what you need In order to
find fulfillment in your friends and family
and in the gifts you have been given.

May we bear each other’s burdens.
Celebrate each other’s victories.
Cry together. Eat together.
Travel together. And love each
other as Christ loved us.

May we do all this in the name
of the Father who provides,
the Son who loves,
and our guide, the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Nicola Odemann @ Flickr]