Liturgy

God our Father –
Giver of good gifts and
Lifter of the downtrodden –
equip us to relax in your love.

We come to this moment weary,
we begin and end our weeks
with achy joints, creaky souls,
and loves strained to breaking.

Both in the church and in the world,
we have been told to earn our keep.
Both in the church and in the world,
we have told others to earn theirs.

We are inclined to require effort
in exchange for love,
We are inclined to require deference
in exchange for respect.

Today, Holy Lord, Wonderful Counselor,
Break the pattern of this world:

Give us the gift of abiding love, O God,
free us from the tyranny of our own standards.
Teach us to find ourselves in your peace,
make us into conduits of your love.

In the name
of God, the Creator,
of Christ, the Risen One,
and of the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life.
Amen.

(Luke Helm)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Isaiah 47:1-3.

1 Listen to me, O coastlands,
pay attention, you peoples from far away!
The Lord called me before I was born,
while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.

2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me away.

3 And he said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

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 1.19.20 – Life of Service

If you listen to your life, what is it revealing about your calling?

How might you live a life of service in more sustainable ways?

Similar to light, in what ways are you simply revealing God’s love?

Benediction

Go now from this place, looking at those around
you as reminders of your own salvation.

In faithfulness, treat everyone you meet with kindness,
as though they had something to teach you about yourself.

Welcome these lessons, as best you can,
with open hands, receptive to the work
God is doing in your heart.

Explore the wilderness and know
you’ll never be lost; you’re tethered
forever to the One who loves you,
gave you breath, and watches
over you at every moment.

So go, praising the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

(Sarah Berson)

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

[Photo by Martin Canova @ Flickr]