Liturgy

We feel deep inside the bits of shrapnel
still embedded in our hearts. We remember
broken promises that were once made
with earnest sincerity.

We feel again for the scars,
both seen and invisible, that
mark our stories to our bodies.

God the Mother,
Pull close to you the ones who are numb
Those of us who take longer to heal,
Those of us whose hearts were not
meant to live in a world so hard.

Strengthen and encourage us
Those among us brave enough to love through the pain,
For those of us who carry our grief in our pockets and purses,
For the parts of our stories that are too sordid to recall.

Let us remember the promise you made long before us,
that you will not leave our hearts broken.
Our souls will not remain weary,
Our tongues will not be left thirsty,

We fall into your arms, Triune God,
Father,
Son,
and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Naomi Jackson)

Scripture Reading

13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham
or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null
and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there
is no law, neither is there violation.

16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may
rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only
to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith
of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written,

“I have made you the father of many nations”) — in the presence
of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

The Good News of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 3.8.20 – A New Conversation

What parts of your story might need to be honored more for you to feel a greater sense of belonging?

What kinds of new conversations do you long for?  Who in your life do you trust enough to allow them to interrupt you?

Benediction

Open your story to the One who knows you.
So much has already been written, and yet
there are pages to fill. Cling to the One who has
called you into something greater than yourself.

May we see our scars in the likeness of Christ,
who bears the stigmata. The marks tell our story,
bear our testimony, and remind us of what was lost.

May you experience resurrection with Christ.
May our emptiness hold space for the work
that God is still doing.

Finally, let us bear witness with
each other. For certain we are not
alone, but bound together in Christ.
One body, one people, one story.

Go forth in the name of God
who lives with Us,
in Us,
and around Us,
Amen.

(Naomi Jackson)

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

[Photo by nikki lake @ Flickr]