Liturgy

Holy One, where I am,
and where others are.
You are also.

As we gather and as others
gather in different places,
may we always feel you
present and constant.

Holy One, in our world,
people are grieving,
praying, and calling on you.

Hear those voices,
our voices, and our cries.
Help us and be amongst
us this morning.

We pray in the name
of the loving God,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

Community Confession

Lord, you call, but we do not
always recognize your voice.
Sometimes we don’t listen carefully.
Sometimes we’re caught off guard.

Lord, you call, but we haven’t
always taught others to hear you.
Sometimes we stand in the way,
allowing our voice to ring out over yours.

Lord, you call, but we don’t
always believe our ears.
Sometimes we believe we know better.
Sometimes we think you can’t possibly
be calling us, or her, or him.

Forgive us, Lord, our unpracticed listening,
our closed ears. Help us to hear.

All this we ask of you, confident
in your unchanging faithfulness,
God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 6.03.18 – Presence

How do you build space for presence with yourself? With God?

Who in your life can you depend on to help you hear God?

Benediction

May you approach God with an open spirit,
not seeking to disguise your face,
or covering the nakedness of your soul.

May you know God not as a dispassionate object
or a thing to be mastered and controlled,
but as our loving Father,
incarnate Son,
indwelling Spirit,
three persons,
one God.

May your heart be opened
not only to Heaven,
but to every person you meet,
each encounter a revelation,
a new wisdom,
a new mystery,
an unending unveiling,
face to face with the Eternal Thou.

In the name of our God in community,
Holy in One
Amen.

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

[Photo by Maya Beano @ Flickr]