Liturgy

You, who are fearfully and wonderfully made,
listen. God is here.
You, who are renewed by the blood of Christ,
look. God is here.

You, who are given life by the Holy Spirit,
breathe deeply. God is here.

We open our hearts to hear the word of God today.
May we receive the love that is in every word, and
may we be comforted by the assurance of God’s presence.

We gather this morning
in the name of
our present God,
our teacher Jesus,
our comforter Spirit,
amen.

Community Confession

Lord, we ask that you would open our hearts
so we could see ourselves clearly. Help us to not
measure each angle of our own heart in darkness,
but to put away the ruler and bring in the light.

We confess our judgement is often skewed,
and we measure ourselves not against your
love, but against our own fear.

Jesus, you walked among sinners with
an infinite leaking barrel of light, laughter
and truth tied to your back, and with an
open invitation to anyone holding a cup.

Teach us to hold out our cup, that
it might be filled with love and joy.

Holy Spirit, help us to see the true nature of God.
Guide our understanding toward love, so we feel
comforted by God’s presence, and ask God to
join us in our darkest places.

We confess how often we hide from intimacy,
and ask you to guide us toward greater love.

We pray in the name
of God,
Jesus the Son,
and the Holy Spirit,
amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 10.22.17 – Presence

How can we read the Scriptures through Jesus our Rabbi?
What ways can we be invited into the story of redemption this week?

Benediction

You, who are fearfully and wonderfully made,
go now. God is with you.
You, who are renewed by the blood of Christ,
go now. Peace is with you.

You, who are given life by the Holy Spirit,
go now, and remember to keep remembering.
Love is with you.

May we reflect the light, laughter
and truth of God’s love, and shine
these things on our neighbors.

May our hearts drink deeply of the
nourishing love of God, and may
our souls find breath.

Let us go in the name
of the almighty God,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

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

[Photo by Amit Banga @ Flickr]