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.

(Sean Williams)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Luke 18: 1-8.

1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray
always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there
was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.

3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and
saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while
he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear
of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow
keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may
not wear me out by continually coming.’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.
7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry
to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?
8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet,
when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

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 10.20.19 – Prayer As Posture

How might prayer help keep your heart open to God, ourselves and others?

How does the way you feel about yourself reflect on the way you feel about God?

Benediction

Take your prayers with you as you go from here,
and embody them in your home, your work, and your rest.

Be carried by your prayers during suffering and joy
by the provision of God, the healing power of Jesus Christ,
and the guide of all circumstances, the Holy Spirit.

Go forth in the name
of our Holy God,
Three in One,
Amen.

(Sean Williams)

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

[Photo by Analogueblues @ Flickr]