Liturgy
Oh Lord, hear now our request.
Great is our heart for your people.
Great are your people in their number and need.
Greatly provide us paths of expansion.
In all manner of the mind and inner witness,
and of the spleen and intuition.
May we see and know and not forget that wisdom
is better than comfort, status, and retaliation.
Turn now our hearts to your Word.
To refresh and remind us of where
our assistance comes from.
Freely does our Lord
provide us with all instructions.
Our help comes from the Lord.
We pray in the name
of God, our Creator,
of Christ, our Savior,
and the Holy Spirit, our Ever-Present Guide.
Amen.
(Ellynne Tredway)
Scripture Reading
We invite you to hear from the reading of 1 Kings 3: 9-12.
9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind
to govern your people, able to discern between good
and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this,
and have not asked for yourself long life or riches,
or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for
yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12 I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you
a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been
before you and no one like you shall arise after you.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.
Homily and Reflection
Homily Podcast – Solomon and the Quest for Wisdom 08.15.2021
What do we learn about the character of God from their response to Solomon?
How does wisdom frame the relationship between humans and God?
How does one discern scripture into application? How does one discern scripture into an experience with God?
Benediction
Vox community, as you go
each day of the week,
receive the bread of life.
Let the salt from the dough permeate your organs,
Steeping heavy into your feet so that as you walk
your path you salt the Earth and all that lives upon it.
May the Lord bless you and nurture you.
May the Lord radiate upon and be gracious to you.
May the Lord give you his full attention
and with it full peace, as you go forth
in the ever presence of our Triune God,
Holy in One. Amen.
Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find belonging and community this week.
(Ellynne Tredway)
Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find belonging and community this week.
[Photo by Jean Lucas Camilo]