Liturgy

We gather this morning without really gathering.
Not like we used to, anyway.
Some of us are isolated,
some of us can’t get a moment alone.
How can we connect without presence?

In togetherness, there is God.
In solitude, there is God.

Your suffering is seen.
Your work is known.
Your joy is justified.
Your tears are sanctified.

Where we seek God, there she is.
Where we seek Love, there she is.

As we acknowledge our confusion,
our pain,
our secret surprising happinesses,
let us always know there is God.

Bless us this morning,
loving God,
as we gather in your name,
holy three in one,
Amen.

(Sarah Berson)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from a reading in Genesis 32: 23-31.

23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and
likewise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left alone;
and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob,
he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out
of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go,
for the day is breaking.”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27 So he
said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then the
man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you
have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.”

29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he
said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God
face to face, and yet my life is preserved.”

31 The sun rose upon him as he passed
Penuel, limping because of his hip.

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 8.2.20 – Struggle

Where am I being called to pull away and be with my deeper work?

How am I being invited to wrestle with God?

Where do I sense a new day emerging?

Benediction

May your solitude be blessed.
May your togetherness be blessed.
May you feel Love and Light,
and allow yourself to experience them fully.

May your eyes be opened to God’s
presence when you feel alone.
May your heart be tuned to connection
when you feel unmoored.

May you be blessed as you learn
what it is that you’re going through,
what it is that you need,
what it is that you can give.

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

(Sarah Berson)

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

[Photo by mgulb @ Flickr]