Liturgy

God, your mercy and love astounds us.
We continually struggle to grasp the idea
of unconditional love, all the while, asking
to experience your love and grace more fully.

Today, we offer our lives afresh.
Enable us to see where you are
active and to be used by you.

When life is hard may we learn to praise you.
When life is busy may we learn to praise you.
In the noise and in the calm, may our lives be
worship to you.

When we are often tempted by this world,
when we are tempted to be our own light,
and when our failures overwhelm our being,
may your word be our shield.

Your will is good, perfect and pleasing.
Let us see where you have been faithful
in the past, and help us trust and follow
you with our future.

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

Community Confession

Lord God, it is hard to think that we
are mortal beings. We dream, make
plans, and talk about what we’ll do
in the near future.

We don’t always think about what you want.
Instead, we make choices that we think are
good for us, but we are only here because
of the grace you give us.

We confess that we forget our need
for you daily. We confess that at times,
our choices are far from your desires.

We confess that we do not know
what is best for our lives.
Holy God, we are sorry for our sins.

Help us remember we live because of you.
Help us, through your life-giving Spirit, to
do what you want of us as your servants
of peace to the world.

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

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 6.10.18 – Renew

What can you subtract this week to free up space for the renewing of your inner being?

What interruptions can we embrace this season?

Benediction

May the God who embodies community
be with us as we seek to be a community.
May God bless our dreams,
and may God shatter our dreams.

May God help us to be real and to find
depth in weakness and brokenness.
May God help us to face and grow through
conflict rather than pretend by being nice.

May we look at each other through soft eyes
and truly respect each other as human beings.
May God help us let go of control
and the need to fix one another.

May God help us discover we are
needy in our own souls and give
attention to our own hearts.

Be with us this week as we go forth
in the name of our Creator God,
of our loving Savior,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide.
Amen.

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

[Photo by Ding Ren @ Flickr]