Liturgy
Beloved family of God: our lives are carried
like leaves on the current of our weeks.
We arrive in this place burdened by so much
that saturates us to the verge of sinking.
Surround us, God of compassion.
Reach into the waves, Son of Man,
Fill us, Spirit of the Living God,
Give us the patience to await calm.
Beloved family of God: let us proclaim
together that our feelings are not the truth.
Let us proclaim that our sleepless nights
and restless days do not change the sun
that shines above the clouds.
Surround us, God of compassion.
Reach into the waves, Son of Man,
Fill us, Spirit of the Living God,
Give us the wisdom to await calm.
Beloved family of God: let us take heart
in the promises of our Redeemer, in the
one whose hands broke bread before they
themselves were broken, in the one with
whom our fears were finally buried.
Surround us, God of compassion.
Reach into the waves, Son of Man,
Fill us, Spirit of the Living God,
Give us the courage to await calm.
We pray to our God in community,
holy in One, amen.
(Luke Helm)
Scripture Reading
We invite you to hear from the reading of John 14:25-29.
25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you
as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let
them be afraid.
28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’
If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because
the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs,
so that when it does occur, you may believe.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
The Good News of Christ. Praise be to you, O Christ!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 5.26.19 – Peace I Leave With You
Remember a time you experienced God’s comfort and care in the midst of anxiety?
How might your anxiety serve as a path to spiritual formation this week?
Benediction
Beloved family of God:
open your hands now and receive
these words from a God who loves you –
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Do not let them be afraid.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, for I am
with you to the very ends of the age.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
my strength is made perfect in your weakness.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
my peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
So go in the name
of God, the Creator,
of Christ, the Risen King,
and of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.
Amen.
(Luke Helm)
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.
[Photo by The 10 Cent Designer @ Flickr]