Liturgy

God, sometimes language feels so constricting
As each word, even your name, gets entangled
with our experiences of pain, suffering, and shame.

May we practice gentleness
with ourselves as we search for
words to express I am that I am.

You do not push, you do not threaten
for your way in our life. Instead you wait
for our consent. We are used to demands
and threats from both within and outside
us for our conformity and blind obedience.

May we practice softening around
the hard edges of learned protectiveness.

When our faith is ruptured,
when our hope feels foolish,
when our lovability and love feel unreal,

may we practice
letting go of certainty,
releasing protection,
and risking intimacy.

In the name of
God, our confidence,
Christ, our hope,
and Holy Spirit, our interconnectedness.
Amen.

(Sean Williams)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Matthew 26: 39-42.

39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground
and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass
from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

40 Then he came to the disciples and found them
sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not
stay awake with me one hour?

41 Stay awake and pray that you may not
come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed,
“My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

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 9.29.19 – Contemplation: Giving Consent

What do I need to know before I can consent to God’s healing action and grace within?

Where and when can I include contemplation as part of my daily routine?

Benediction

May you find yourself present
with what’s already there, and find
ways to welcome it, to learn from it.

Where you have begun healing,
may you become restored.
Where you have found healing,
may your gratitude rise to God.

Trust yourself to gather up what you need close,
and to toss away what no longer serves you.
May you be guided and blessed
as you learn the difference.

May you shine with the love of God.
In the name of our holy God,
three in One,
Amen.

(Sarah Berson)

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

[Photo by Piero Donadeo @ Flickr]