Liturgy
Each person gathered here today has a
story that is quite different from your own.
Collectively, we bring a wild arrangement of life
experiences that give strength to our community.
As different as we are, we are united in wanting
to love and serve those around us. Some of us
have energy for it now, and others do not.
Lord God, let us recognize when it’s our time
to seek, and when we should wait to be found.
We trust that no matter where we are, you will
find us, because you never left us.
We live into your story with us as we gather
in the name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.
(Sarah Berson)
Scripture Reading
We invite you to hear from the reading of 1 John 5: 9-13.
9 Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe
the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has
testified about his Son. 10 All who believe in the Son of God
know in their hearts that this testimony is true.
Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar,
because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever
does not have God’s Son does not have life.
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name
of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
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 05.16.2021 Reclaiming Our Narrative
Where have you seen the evidence of love recently, especially in our community?
Where in your life (past wounds or experiences, current anxieties or fears) do you need God to bear witness? Where do you need validation?
Where is God calling you to take responsibility for harm you may have caused? How can God’s witness help you grow and heal from that harm?
Benediction
Lift up your eyes for the benediction.
God has been and is at work
creating a Holy people.
He has been at work in us
in this place and for all time.
The Kingdom of God is here,
and we are invited to be a part of it.
May we go from this place as vessels for
good news. Walking humbly with one another,
loving the hurt and broken hearted, and living
at peace with God and one another. May we
remind each other of the good news we carry.
May God open our eyes to see his work in the
places and in the people that we least expect it.
Give us eyes to see the light of Christ shining in the dark.
Give us ears to hear the Word proclaimed.
And give us hearts to love one another.
Go forth and live in the good news of God’s Kingdom.
We pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.
Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find belonging and community this week.
(Naomi Jackson)
[Photo by Casey Horner]