Liturgy
You are invited this morning to welcome.
Welcome the place where you are.
Welcome your joys and your struggles.
Welcome this holy ground.
You are invited this morning to be.
Be present in the place where you are.
Be still in your feelings of the day.
Be firm on this holy ground.
You are invited this morning to worship.
Worship the God that gave you breath.
Worship the image that you were created to reflect.
Worship the source of love.
And so, as we light the 2nd candle
of Advent for peace, you are invited
this morning in the name
of our holy God,
three in one,
Amen.
(Sarah Berson)
Community Confession
Lord God, we come today in good faith
that you are who you say you are,
and you love us just as we are.
Help us let go of what blocks connection
and help us desire relationship.
When the road won’t rise up to meet us,
when we’re in the valley,
it’s easy to hate, to feel the separation,
Remind us of your constant presence,
the flow of love we are invited to join.
When the mountaintop barely seems to inch closer,
and we feel our legs giving out,
Teach us to rest, to trust the sacred
ground beneath our feet.
Bless our journey toward wholeness,
toward connection,
toward love,
toward peace.
We pray to our holy and triune God,
three in one,
Amen.
(Sarah Berson)
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 12.09.18 – Rough Ways
What would it look like to let go of who I think I am (unworthy, selfish, controlling, etc.) and reconnect with my deep self? (loved, compassionate, curious)
How can I relax into the flow of God loving me today?
Benediction
As we go into our season of Advent,
carry with you the invitation
to be welcomed, welcoming.
May the rain that falls on you be your baptism.
May the salt of your tears be your strength.
May you welcome your joys and struggles
as you walk your holy and sacred path
in the Light of Love.
May you find presence and stillness
and the rest to simply be.
May you recognize the image you reflect,
and trust in its beauty and goodness to show
beauty and goodness to your community.
May you bask and breathe in the goodness of God,
the kindness of Jesus,
and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
(Sarah Berson)
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.
[Photo by Maya Beano @ Flickr]