Liturgy

When we gather, we know the Lord is here.
The holy breath of the Spirit is breathed in you.
You are created in that holy image,
created wild and free.

Your God delights in you the way you delight in the ones you love.
Your glory is only hidden by fear.

So welcome this time now to set aside fear and to set aside shame.
Welcome this time now to open yourself fully,
to breathe in the breath of the Spirit.

Let us worship in the name
of our God of Love,
our God of Mercy,
our God of Hope,
Amen.

Community Confession

For some of us, our earliest language was shame.
For some of us, we learned to hide ourselves.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

We pray for courage to live unmasked,
to risk being fully seen as we are,
to recognize and honor the glory in the mirror.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

We pray for strength to find healing for ourselves,
to bring healing to others.
We pray for grace to live with ourselves,
as we are, Holy images of God.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Show us your kindness, so we can be Kindness.
Show us your love, so we can be Love.
Show us your grace, so we can be Grace.

In the name of our loving God,
friend Jesus,
and breath of life,
Amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 3.3.19 – Our Struggle for Hope

What are your hopes for Lent?

Who allows you to be fully who you are when you are with them and what does that feel like?

Benediction

Go now with glory. Go with the glory of God,
having seen and heard Love.
Be mindful of the mask you wear,
be mindful of the freedom you need.
Be mindful of your Image, as you
are being transformed to know freedom
from one degree of glory to another.
Breathe in the Spirit, that the very breath
of your life would invite Holiness.

Go now in the name of
Love,
of Freedom,
and of Joy,
Amen.

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

[Photo by @ Flickr]