Liturgy

God, your voice is but a whisper,
and we struggle to hear it
amid the clatter of life in its many forms,
that works to claim our attention.

We pray that this morning may be a time
of quiet reflection and devotion to you,
when we can still our hearts and minds
and strain our ears to hear only you.

Grant us mercy this morning in our struggle.
Grant us focus, that we may be single-minded
in our worship of you.
Grant us grace, that we may be easy on ourselves
in our weakness and failures.

What are you trying to say to us this morning?
What name are you calling out to us?
The name that is for our heart alone:
Beloved. Forgiven. Child. Chosen.

We pray that we would hear
your voice this morning,
in the name of our Creator,
of our Savior,,
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.

(Mike Kaiser)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the reading of Hebrews 1:1-4,2:8-9

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various
ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken
to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through
whom he also created the worlds.

3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s
very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When
he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

… 8 As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,
9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower
than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because
of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he
might taste death for everyone.

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.

Homily and Reflection

Homily Podcast – Centering Around Christ 10.03.2021

How can we center ourselves around the embodiment of Jesus’ life and teachings?

Where can we let go of power and privilege to embrace downward mobility?

Whom are the suffering that we can be in solidarity with?

Benediction

You, who are fearfully and wonderfully made,
go now. God is with you.
You, who are renewed by the blood of Christ,
go now. Peace is with you.

You, who are given life by the Holy Spirit,
go now, and remember to keep remembering.
Love is with you.

May we reflect the light, laughter
and truth of God’s love, and shine
these things on our neighbors.

May our hearts drink deeply of the
nourishing love of God, and may
our souls find breath.

Let us go in the name
of the almighty God,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

(Sarah Berson)

Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find belonging and community this week.

[Photo by Dimaz Fakhruddin]