Liturgy

Restore us, O Living God, by the breath of your Spirit,
for some of us are wilted and weary. Some of us are
anxious for restoration, and wonder if it will happen at all.

Hear our voices crying out amidst the noise,
where we hide to wait for a new day.

Let us not be bound to the earth by our
weariness and tears, but rather swirled about
and lifted up by the wonder of your life within us.

Revive us, O Lord. There is praise to give and
work to be done and surprising life to nurture.

No matter our tired bones, you are
not finished with us. By your goodness
and grace, may we not be finished.

We ask in the name
of our God, the Creator,
of Jesus, the Christ,
and the Holy Spirit, our Breath of Life.
Amen.

(Rachel Hackenberg)

Scripture Reading

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”

9 When he had said this, as they were watching,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward
heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand
looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has
been taken up from you into heaven, will come
in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

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 5.24.20 – Waiting

How can we participate in unexpected ways during our season of waiting?

What might be some things we’re invited to let go of as we wait in loss?

What could be some meaningful practices of prayer as we wait?

Benediction

May you feel the light
of the Sun behind all suns.

May you live in the grace of the dawn’s glory.
May you be strengthened in the rays of the afternoon sun
and healed by the light of the stars and moon.

May it be well with you, and may you
be a part of the world’s healing this day.

And may the blessing
of God the Father,
the Son,
and the Holy Spirit
be with you this day.

(Jessica Goodman – adapted
from the The Wednesday Morning Prayers from Celtic Benediction by J Philip Newell)

Go in peace and live the church.
May you find safety and rest throughout the week.

[Photo by matt.bower @ Flickr]