Liturgy

O Lord, how lovely it is to be your guest:
the winds are sweet;
the oaks reach to the skies;
the waters like boundless mirrors
and the floating clouds
reflect the sun’s golden rays.

Alleluia! We praise you Lord,
for the glory of this morning,
for the mercies that come
with every daybreak.

All nature murmurs mysteriously,
breathing the depth of tenderness.
Birds and beasts of our scraggy forests
bear the imprint of your love.

Alleluia! We praise you Lord,
for the glory of your creation,
for the generous spirit of your gifts.

You have blessed our home, the earth,
in its changing loveliness, which wakens
our yearning for happiness that will last
forever, in the land where beauty never
grows old, and the cry rings out:

Alleluia!
Glory to you for the joy of dawn’s awakening;
Glory to you for the new life each day brings.
Glory to you, O God, forever and ever, amen.

(Alli Zadrozny, inspired by the E. Orthodox Akathist Hymn, Kontakion 2)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the Book of Ezekiel 34: 15-16.

15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep,
and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God.

16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed,
and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the
weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy.
I will feed them with justice.

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 11.22.20 Even in the Midst

How can you extend grace to yourself in this season and in reflection of this year, as a part of your healing?

As we navigate discord, challenge one another in love, and continue to disrupt injustice to work toward shalom / equity what does active, radical grace look like this week and in the weeks to come for those I’m in community with?

Benediction

God, you are the Good Shepherd,
in you we lack nothing.
You make us rest in green pastures,
you lead us beside quiet waters,
you refresh our souls.

You are our guide among
the paths of righteousness.
Even though we walk through
the valley of death and dying,
we fear no evil, for you are with us.

Your shepherd staff comforts us.
Your hands prepare us a feast,
even in the midst of dangers, anxieties,
enmity, even in the midst of despair.

You anoint us in light,
and our cups are never empty.
Surely your goodness and love
will follow us all the days of our life:
we will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

In the name of
our God, the Father,
His Son, the Shepherd,
and the Holy Spirit, the Guide.
Amen.

Go in peace, and live the church.
However you find your time spent this week,
May God be with you in your homes,
and may His house be yours.
(Alli Zadrozny)

[Photo by Martin Canova]