Liturgy

God of healing and provision,
You are attuned to us.
You hear our voice.
You see our face.
You feel our feelings.

So into this knowing we come this morning
whether by the faith of our own or of a friend,
we know you receive us into your presence.

Soften in us our places of resistance.
Bring forth our wounds and needs to the surface.
Open our deepest depths to receive.

In the name of our provider God,
of our healing Savior,
and the Holy Spirit, our Guide,
Amen.

Community Confession

When our faith stands at the grave,
grieving for a stone that’s been rolled away,
forgive us, God, for being too preoccupied to
notice your work already being done around us.

When our faith is short of understanding
though the truth is there to see,
forgive us, Jesus, when we limit the depth
of your love that that overcomes all darkness.

When our faith, beset by doubt, sees
no further than an empty tomb today,
help us, Holy Spirit, to see new life
beyond our narrow scope of view.

Bring to mind the joy of your friends,
when they finally saw you with them
again, and grant us faith to believe.

We pray to our God in community,
holy in One.
Amen.

(written by John Birch and modified by Harmon Li)

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 4.21.19 – Resurrection and Meaning

Awakening begins while it is still dark. How can we be present and patient with our slow awakening?

What does it look like to live out of abundance this week?

Benediction

Go now with your trust in the good Shepherd, and
let us love, not just in words, but in truth and action.

Believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and love
one another, just as he has commanded us.

May God be at your side, even in valleys of wilderness and death.
May the resurrection of Christ Jesus be the cornerstone of your life
through all seasons, and may the Holy Spirit abide in you and tend
to you with love and mercy all the days of your life.

Let us go forth this week, praising and serving
in the name of the loving Father,
of the Risen Son,
and with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Nathan Nettleton)

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

[Photo by Robert Ogilvie @ Flickr]