Liturgy

Friends, sisters and brothers,
welcome to this sacred place this morning.
Let us pause for a moment to be still and breathe.

Today, when we are challenged,
may we be receptive to the Spirit’s moving.

When we are humbled,
may we make room for God’s healing and grace.

When we face difficult emotions and trying situations,
may we welcome these experiences and learn from them.

When we are filled with fear, sorrow, or grief,
may we experience God’s abounding love.

This morning, dear friends, make some space to
contemplate and care for yourselves,
so that the change we experience here
may spread into our homes, workplaces, and city.

We pray In the name of God, our Creator,
Jesus, our Savior,
And the Holy Spirit, our Breath of Life.
Amen.

(Gina Bastone-Trevino)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Matthew 8: 18-22.

18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him,
he gave orders to go over to the other side.
19 A scribe then approached and said,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes,
and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man
has nowhere to lay his head.”

21 Another of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me,
and let the dead bury their own dead.”

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 9.22.19 – Contemplation: Noticing Deeply

What does it look like to contemplate the ways we divide in life?

How can we contemplate finding home within ourselves?

Benediction

Beloved Friends, greet this coming week
with an open heart, assured from the security
that comes from having a true home in the
sacred silences and stillness of God.

May you find moments of calm and renewal,
moments when you can unburden your cares
and release your worries to God.

May these sacred moments root you
in a healthy place, so that you are free
to love your family, neighbors, coworkers,
and friends with no expectations and no judgements.

Go then, in the freedom of God’s bountiful love,
the perfect redemption of Christ,
and the wisdom of the moving Spirit.
Amen.

(Gina Bastone-Trevino)

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

[Photo by singing_saw @ Flickr]