Liturgy

Let us pray. Your response will be highlighted in yellow.

And God said, consider the sparrow,
That forgotten shadow, flitting and
fluttering in the rafters of the temple.
Even the smallest creatures find their rest in you.

Consider the body, its ligaments and systems
and the way it feels, morning, noon, and night.
From dust we are made, and our dust was declared “very good.”

Consider the church, its stone and mortar,
its cracks and imperfections, its smells,
and the way light enters its open doors.
The house of God is a house of humble welcome.

Consider the God-made world,
the sound of water tickling over pebbles,
the aroma of a campfire on a cold night,
and the joy of life after rain.
Hear the herald of the glory of the God of gods.

Omnipotent God of sparrows,
Architect of our innermost places,
Provider of our gathering space,
Creator of each mesmerizing landscape,

Remind us that our attention is our love.
Teach us to see the work you are doing,
Strengthen us with the courage to join you,

In the name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

(Luke Helm)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Psalm 84:1-3.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.

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 2.02.20 – Close to Home

Reflect on how comfortable we are with ourselves.  Are you comfortable with yourself? What parts are you not comfortable with?  What parts are you comfortable with?

Reflect on your pilgrimage.  What part of this pilgrimage are you on?  What is your valley? Do we trust that we’ll find springs in the valley?

Benediction

Vox family, hear our hope
for your week and for your life:

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Hear, and listen, and feel, and see,
and watch, and smell, and expect
the Glory of God all around you.

Go now in the name
of God, the Creator,
of Christ, the Risen One,
and of the Holy Spirit, our Breath of Life.
Amen.

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

[Photo by Analogueblues @ Flickr]